A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best DTF Printer for Your Business in 2025

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Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is so popular that the market is flooded with printers claiming to be the best DTF printing machines. Here, I’m presenting a detailed comparison between the top three bestselling machines so you can find the DTF printer matching your needs.


1. Print Quality


Prestige R1: It is a general-use garment printer that you can buy for use at home. It produces sharp and vibrant prints. It maintains consistency in print quality and speed. 


Prestige R2: Prestige released an upgrade of the R1 model and named it R2. The R2 model is provided with enhanced print resolution and white ink management. For this reason, this machine is better at handling intricate designs. 


Ricoh RI 1000: This machine is tailored for quality printing. It features advanced printheads for high-resolution output. If you want to print photographic images and premium-quality fabric, you should choose a Ricoh printer.


2. Speed and Productivity


Prestige R1: It prints garments with moderate speed but it is fast enough for small garment printing businesses with steady demand. 


Prestige R2: It is an upgrade of the R1 printer and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Prestige released the upgrade to address the rising demand for high-volume DTF transfer sheets. Its print speed suits demanding work environments.


Ricoh RI 1000: It is an industrial-grade printing machine that prints faster than any other machine in the market. If you need a machine for large-scale custom garment printing, you should buy a Ricoh printer.


3. Ink Management


Prestige R1 and R2: Both printers have high compatibility with third-party inks that allow some respite to printers. You can buy DTF ink of any brand for the Prestige brand of printers. The R2 model has an efficient white ink management system that prevents waste.


Ricoh RI 1000: The proprietary ink system of this printer gives excellent results but this advanced system reduces the printer’s compatibility with third-party inks. The only respite you get from the printer is its automated maintenance feature that minimizes downtime so you can print more garments.


Final Verdict


If you are looking for a DTF printer for general use and medium workflow, you should look no further than the Prestige brand of printers. You can buy either Prestige R1 or R2. Prestige R2 is a better choice. But if you need a printing machine capable of handling large-scale commercial operations then you should go for the Ricoh RI 1000 printer.

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