Swag · Printing Studio
We print the shirts ourselves
Garment DTF (direct-to-film): full-color art with a white underbase, pressed onto our blank tees — white, gray or navy.
My pick: Prestige R1 + Miro 13 Max
Why: A supported 13 in printer with shaker/dryer, RIP and training in one bundle, plus a separate Hotronix Auto Open Clam 16 × 20 heat press (the bundle does not include a press), a Windows PC and setup allowance. Estimated setup cost $10,700–12,000 before tax and freight. Step up to R2 Pro if event queues get long. It needs an adult owner for routine maintenance between events.
The process
1
Design
Create the event art on the computer with a transparent background, sized for the shirt.
2
RIP: CMYK + white
The RIP builds the color layer plus a white underbase so the same art works on navy.
3
Print film
Print mirrored onto PET transfer film.
4
Powder & cure
Apply hot-melt adhesive powder by hand or with a shaker, then cure in dedicated equipment per the consumable instructions.
5
Heat press
Position on the blank shirt and press at the film maker's time, temperature and pressure.
6
Peel & repress
Peel hot or cold per the film instructions, then repress briefly to set.
Four studio setups
Listed prices as of Oct 29, 2026 · USD · tax, freight, electrical work extra
Compact manual-sheet entry
Epson F1070
Estimated setup cost$9,100–11,100
- Epson SureColor F1070 Standard Edition$4,995 MSRP
- Hotronix 16 × 20 auto-open press$2,050
- Cure oven, powder handling, extraction· allowance$1,000–2,000
- Computer (Windows or macOS)· allowance$600–1,000
- Bench, accessories, first film and powder· allowance$500–1,000
Printer, workspace & maintenance
- Included
- Printer and Garment Creator 2 software. Confirm Standard Edition ink and maintenance contents with reseller.
- Printer
- Hybrid DTG/DTFilm; 10 × 12 in standard print area
- RIP software
- Garment Creator 2 (Windows/macOS)
- Workspace & ventilation
- Small footprint, but manual powder and cure need a separate ventilated corner.
- Maintenance
- Genuine Epson packs; more hands-on steps; trained adult operator.
- Availability / production
- Confirm stock and dispatch with supplier
- Delivery / freight
- Freight / delivery date by quote
- My pick
Recommended starter
Prestige R1 + Miro 13 Max
Estimated setup cost$10,700–12,000
- Prestige R1 shaker bundle (printer, Miro 13 Max, RIP, training, starter supplies)$7,459.99
- Hotronix 16 × 20 auto-open press$2,050
- Windows PC· allowance$600–1,000
- Ventilation, bench, accessories· allowance$600–1,500
Printer, workspace & maintenance
- Included
- 13 in printer, Miro 13 Max shaker/dryer, neoStampa RIP + Pilot, virtual training, starter film, CMYK+W ink, powder and cleaning supplies. No heat press.
- Printer
- 13 in, ~13.45 ft²/h nominal; 32.3 × 25.2 × 12.6 in, 82 lb
- RIP software
- neoStampa + Pilot (Windows only)
- Workspace & ventilation
- Dedicated workshop zone with clearance for shaker and press; extra ventilation even with built-in purification.
- Maintenance
- Daily nozzle check and cleaning, white-ink care, correct idle mode; monthly HEPA/charcoal filter. Approved consumables keep warranty.
- Availability / production
- Confirm stock and dispatch with supplier
- Delivery / freight
- Freight / delivery date by quote
Event throughput upgrade
Prestige R2 Pro + Miro 13 Max
Estimated setup cost$14,000–15,400
- Prestige R2 Pro shaker bundle$10,784.99
- Hotronix 16 × 20 auto-open press$2,050
- Windows PC· allowance$600–1,000
- Ventilation, bench, accessories· allowance$600–1,500
Printer, workspace & maintenance
- Included
- Dual-head 13 in printer, shaker/dryer, Windows RIP + Pilot, virtual training, starter consumables. No heat press. On-site training +$2,750.
- Printer
- Dual-head 13 in, 30–35 ft²/h nominal; 33.58 × 25.31 × 20.86 in, 125 lb
- RIP software
- neoStampa + Pilot (Windows only)
- Workspace & ventilation
- Larger dedicated area with staging space for shaker and press.
- Maintenance
- Daily maintenance, approved supplies, manufacturer idle procedure.
- Availability / production
- Confirm stock and dispatch with supplier
- Delivery / freight
- Freight / delivery date by quote
Commercial benchmark
Epson G6070 + 36 in dryer
Estimated setup cost$26,700–29,100
- DTF Superstore package: G6070, 36 in 110V shaker/dryer, starter ink, Fiery$22,500
- Hotronix 16 × 20 auto-open press$2,050
- Windows PC· allowance$600–1,000
- Workstation, ventilation, electrical· allowance$1,500–3,500
Printer, workspace & maintenance
- Included
- Printer alone is $14,995 MSRP with Fiery Digital Factory Epson Edition; ink packs separate.
- Printer
- 35.4 in roll-to-roll, automated printer maintenance
- RIP software
- Fiery Digital Factory Epson Edition
- Workspace & ventilation
- Dedicated production room and delivery access.
- Maintenance
- Automated printer upkeep; oven, shaker and filters still need attention. Epson service network.
- Availability / production
- Confirm stock and dispatch with supplier
- Delivery / freight
- Freight / delivery date by quote
Running the studio
Per print
$1–3
per medium front transfer (film, ink, powder)
Estimated allowance, not a vendor quote. Measure on your real design including rejects; dense white art costs more.
Consumables
CMYK + white ink · PET film · Adhesive powder · Cleaning fluid, swabs, wipes · Waste-ink items · Extraction filters · Test blanks
Workspace
- Separate clean design/garment staging from powder and curing.
- Extra ventilation required; dedicated curing equipment, never a food oven.
- Verify circuit capacity for press plus dryer.
- Adult operator, clear heat zone, safe cable routing.
Before event day
- Set white underbase in the RIP and run nozzle checks.
- Test every shirt color and wash-test samples before event day.
- Get the long-idle procedure and name one maintenance owner.