Copyright @ samzu.net 2009 Homemade DTG printer This description shows you how did I build a Direct To Garment printer with a ready-made Epson printer from the market. Before you try on your own, you really need to be aware that it is not an easy task. I strongly suggest you have a greater search on Internet to deeply understand what you are doing for. There was no guarantee to lead you into success with the information from this description. Basic concern and plan: 1. Ink type There are several types of inks in the market. Dye based ink and pigment based ink are the basic and only the pigment based ink will suitable for printing on garment with some finishing process applied (resin coating, heat press, etc.). Heat pressing is the main secret; it makes ink drops and coating layer malt into fabric to achieve the permanent and washing resistant result. The coating layer is basically provide addition protect on the printed image and giving a deeper malt into fabric to hold the ink drops stronger and therefore a longer image life. By the latter experiment printing, the clear Acrylic enamel (water based) is good enough to provide such effect. Of course, Polyurethane related resin should give an even better result theoretically, but it is more costly. Within the main brands of ink suppliers, only Epson is clearly states their ink’s type and detail to each cartridge model. How ever, the Epson ink cartridge come with the chip it may leading you to buy their new ink cartridges again and again before you actually use off the ink. Epson DuraBrite Ultra ink is the pigment-based ink. The DTG specified ink is for garment. It is nothing more than a pigment based ink with some additive to improve the performances. But chosen a right brand to match the existing printer head will be a hard and costly issue, which is out of scope of this description. 2. The off-the-peg printer To convert an off-the-peg printer to a DTG printer you need cut off all the parts under the paper feeding roll and using the paper feeding motor for your transmit ion carrier. So choose a printer with less metal components under the paper-feeding roll and with a stepping motor for paper feeding will make you easier. A printer using DC motor with a position encoder for paper feeding is not a good idea for such case. It may provide you a lot of problem unless you are really knows about it. In this case I choose the Epson stylus T20 printer for my DTG printer. 3. My plan With the material I have, I decide to have a rolled external transmit carrier bad to moving the object under through the printer head and using the origin paper- feeding roller with the stepping motor to drive it up. And, the modified printer need still having the head cleaning function