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If you’ve been thinking about taking a leap into the customization world, there are tons of different ways to get into it.
One of the most popular methods of customizing blanks and apparel is white toner transfer printing.
Now this may sound like a complicated process to those of you who are new to the industry or in the beginning stages of researching. That’s why compiled a list of the top ten most common questions we get the most from people who are curious about white toner printing.
So, let’s get into it!
DigitalHeat FX is our line of white toner printers. These are photo quality, laser printers that produce high quality transfers for customization.
DigitalHeat FX transfers can be applied to light and dark garments of all fabric types like cotton, polyester, and blends.
These compact, desktop printers use white toner to let you easily print vibrant, full-color images without ANY weeding! Plus, with a toner-based machine there is virtually no maintenance.
Now let’s move into the next most popular question, how DigitalHeat FX white toner printing differs from other processes.
Because the DigitalHeat FX systems are toner based, there is little to no maintenance. This is one of the key differences that sets the DigitalHeat FX process apart from others.
Sublimation, direct to garment, and direct to film machines all use wet ink to create custom designs and images.
Another key difference is the types of fabrics and substrates that can be customized with each of these processes. For example, DigitalHeat FX transfers can be put on fabric types like cotton, polyester, and blends but these can also be used for decorating hard surface items such as glass, ceramic, and wood.
This isn’t necessarily the case for the others. Sublimation transfers can only be placed on light or white colored, polyester coated substrates. However, because of these limitations, sublimation is a lower cost of entry.
With direct to garment, you can decorate tons of soft substrates made of polyester and blends. This means you can customize t-shirts, tote bags, pillowcases, and so much more!
Plus, direct to garment allows you print on light, white, and dark blanks!
Between DigitalHeat FX and Direct to film, the real key difference is the cost of entry and whether you are looking for a high production machine.
Direct to Film systems are much bigger in size and are aimed more towards high production shops and factories.
For a quick comparison across the board of the different technologies we offer, see this page:
With DigitalHeat FX, the possibilities for customization are endless! As we mentioned before, DigitalHeat FX transfers can be applied to light and dark colored garments of all fabric types.
Print on tons of materials like:
Here’s a short list of just some of the items you can customize with DigitalHeat FX transfers:
Now that you have more of an idea of the kinds of items you can customize, let’s move onto question five.
Since DigitalHeat FX transfers work on tons of fabrics, there are different papers you’ll need to use for each kind of application type. With EZ Peel Paper, there are three different kinds you can use.
For garments of dark and white/light colors, EZ Peel Two Step is the paper to use. It involves a two-step process where adhesive is heat applied to a transfer.
However, for garments that you don’t plan on using for a long period of time, EZ Peel Two Step paper is not necessary to use.
For example, event-based apparel that you will only wear once is best for EZ Peel One Step Paper.
These one-time use garments don’t need to be washed as much, so the need for adhesive becomes less important.
With that being said, we only recommend the EZ Peel One Step Paper for light colored garments and substrates that don’t have a ton of white in the artwork.
Lastly, if you are looking to decorate hard surface items like mugs, coasters, and signs, you’ll need to use EZ Peel Hard Surface Paper.
Like the EZ Peel One Step Paper, the hard surface paper is a one step process. The difference is that this paper can only be used to decorate hard goods.
Hard surface paper is designed to resist being rubbed or scratched off. You can use this paper to customize hard goods made of wood, ceramic, glass, metal, and much more.
This paper is easy to use and very cost effective, which is something our customers love the most! This is especially because some of the most profitable products for your business can be made using this paper.
Depending on what you are making, it will help you make decisions on which paper you need.
We recommend having all three of these EZ Peel papers in your shop, so that you can customize tons of different items.
With a DigitalHeat FX printer, EZ Peel Paper provides the best compatibility. However, you can use cardstock, temporary tattoo paper, window cling, water slide, and adhesive vinyl.
Transfer paper is essential to a successful DigitalHeat FX business, but so is a heat press which is what we’ll get into next.
It’s important to have a high-quality heat press for DigitalHeat FX printing. This is because you need even and consistent temperature and pressure for a successful “marry” and application.
In the “marrying” step, which is when you are heat applying the adhesive “B” sheet to the printed transfer, otherwise known as the “A” sheet.
Because this step involves a transfer of adhesive from one sheet to another, having consistent heat and pressure is vital. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a damaged transfer that you can no longer use.
With many of our DigitalHeat FX bundles, we include the Hotronix Fusion IQ Heat Press. This heat press is a fan favorite because of its ability to swing away and has a digital temperature, time, and pressure display.
This is important for your heat press to have because it ensures that you are getting the correct time, temperature, and pressure settings for DigitalHeat FX applications.
Some alternative heat presses that we recommend for white toner printing are the Digital Knight 16”x20” Swinger and the Hix EVO Swingman 16”x20.”
You may be wondering about the money you’ll make. Let’s talk numbers!
Depending on the type of paper you are using, EZ Peel Two Step, EZ Peel One Step, or EZ Peel Hard Surface Paper, the cost per print will vary.
Numbers will also vary depending on which printer you’re using and what size paper and prints you are working with.
Be aware that these are not set in stone numbers, but more of an estimate based off these factors.
Just for a base estimate, we’re going to be talking about our flagship white toner printer, the DigitalHeat FX pro8432.
For an 11”x17” full sheet of transfers on the 2-step paper, including 25 cents for toner, the cost per print runs around $4.00.
The cost per print for the one step paper is around $3.25 also including toner.
Lastly, for the hard surface paper, you are looking at around $1.25.
Keep in mind that all these sheets can be “gang-sheeted” meaning you can print tons of images, logos, and designs on one sheet depending on the size of the artwork of course.
We know numbers are an important deciding factor when considering whether or not to enter the world of customization, however knowing as much as possible about the process in general is key.
That’s why we are going over another popular question…
To achieve optimal results with a DigitalHeat FX printer, vector files like .EPS and .AI are the best way to go.
However, Print Optimizer Software accepts other file types such as .JPG, .TIFF, and .PDF if the background is removed.
It’s important to remember that if you’re using raster files that they are high-quality. The lower quality the image file is, the lower quality the print will turn out.
If you’re worried about whether you have to create your own designs, you DON’T! However, if you decide to then there are a few vector based graphic programs out there that you can use.
Here are a few, some are free, and others require a fee to use.
Luckily, there are plenty of talented graphic designers that will create designs for you! To help you narrow down the search, we offer a premium graphic design website, ColDesi Graphics. Have professionals create logos and artwork for your business from scratch and bring your ideas to life.
With ColDesi Graphics, you also have the choice to have any design tweaked or changed by professionals who have the knowledge and experience you may not have when dealing with art.
Now that you’re a little more familiar with how the artwork portion of DigitalHeat FX works, let’s chat about toner.
The answer to this question varies by each printer. The great thing about DigitalHeat FX printer toners is that they are proven to last long.
Both the base model, the i560 and our flagship printer, the pro8432 come with a starter set of toners. The bigger model, the DigitalHeat FX 9541, comes with a full set of toners.
Below, we’ll give you an estimate of how long these toners will last based off some of the models.
With ColDesi, you don’t have to have a business to get started with a DigitalHeat FX machine. We know that getting a business up and running takes time and money.
Some of you may be still trying to decide on being a hobbyist or starting a business with these machines so we take the pressure off you by not making you decide.
If you’d like to purchase a machine, you can use cash, credit card, or wire transfer to do so. However, we do offer financing through Adia Capital.
We make the process easy and simple to help you jumpstart your side hustle or hobbyist dreams!
Since you know that you don’t need a business to purchase a DigitalHeat FX machine, the next question is simple. How do you finance?
As mentioned before, we offer financing through Adia Capital.
All you have to do is fill out an application and you should receive an answer within four to five business hours.
If you have any trouble when filling out the application, we encourage you to reach out to our team to help you through it.
We hope that we were able to answer the most common questions you may have about DigitalHeat FX and how to take the next step in starting your business.
If you have any additional questions, we have DigitalHeat FX professionals who are more than happy to answer your questions.
Ready to take the next step? Live chat with us or call (855) 348-4839.
