Epson SureColor F3000
The Epson SureColor F3000 (SC-F3000) is a floor-standing direct-to-garment (DTG) production printer with dual 2.6″ PrecisionCore printheads for single-pass five-colour printing, and a print area of up to 406 × 508 mm on the optional large platen. It uses Epson UltraChrome DG ink in 1.5 L bags and is aimed at high-volume producers, with Epson citing a target volume of 3,000–6,000 items per month. Available from Sign to Badge Solutions.
Key features
1Dual heads, single-pass printing
Staggered dual 2.6″ PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads apply white and colour ink separately for single-pass five-colour output. Single pass refers to platen movement.
2Fine detail and consistent colour
Variable Sized Droplet Technology and Epson Precision Dot processing, at up to 1200 × 1200 dpi.
3Bulk ink supply
The ink supply system holds up to 3 L of white and 6 L of colour ink, loaded in 1.5 L bags via removable trays, plus a maintenance liquid that helps keep heads and caps clean.
4Quicker garment loading
Hanger platens with frames or optional grip pads for frameless loading. Height is set with a dial (up to 29.5 mm) and fine-tuned automatically by an optical sensor.
5Built for production
Heavy-duty brushless motors, a Linear Motion Guide carriage, large fluff catchers, a fabric-based head wiper, self-washing capping and ink-less nozzle status monitoring.
6Management and service options
Garment Creator, LFP Accounting Tool and Epson Cloud Solution PORT are included, and the print heads can optionally be replaced by trained staff on site.
Specifications
| Specification | SureColor SC-F3000 |
|---|---|
| Print process | Direct-to-garment (DTG). Epson’s product page also lists DTFilm print modes |
| Form factor | Floor-standing, supplied mounted on a stand |
| Maximum print area | 406 × 508 mm (optional large hanger platen) |
| Platens | Medium hanger platen supplied. Optional: large hanger; grooved (for shirts with buttons or a zip); small hanger 254 × 305 mm; extra small 178 × 203 mm; sleeve 102 × 102 mm |
| Maximum item thickness and weight | 29.5 mm (28.5 mm with grip pads); 1.5 kg per item |
| Printheads | Dual Epson 2.6″ PrecisionCore MicroTFP: 10 lines white, 8 lines colour |
| Maximum resolution | 1200 × 1200 dpi |
| Minimum droplet size | 12.1 pl |
| Print modes | Uni- and bi-directional |
| Ink | Epson UltraChrome DG, all-pigment |
| Ink configuration | Five-colour: CMYK + dual White, plus maintenance liquid; automatic ink recirculation |
| Ink supply | Bulk ink supply system, 7 × 1.5 L bags, tray loading |
| Print time (Production mode) | 21 s colour only (light shirt); 40 s white + colour (dark shirt). A4 portrait image, print time only |
| Control panel | 4.3″ colour touchscreen |
| Interface | Ethernet 100/1000Base-T and Hi-Speed USB 2.0; front USB port for printing files processed in Garment Creator (FAT32) |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Software | Epson Garment Creator (Windows and Mac, 64-bit) with Photoshop plug-in, Epson Edge Dashboard, LFP Accounting Tool, Epson Cloud Solution PORT |
| Power consumption | 168 W operating, 111 W ready, 20 W sleep |
| Operating environment | 10–35 °C (15–25 °C recommended); 20–80% humidity (40–60% recommended), no condensation |
| Operating noise | 51 dB |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 1712 × 1809 × 1336 mm; 330 kg (with platen and ink supply system, without ink) |
| Recommended operating space | About 3.0 × 2.6 m (W × D) |
| Warranty | Service cover, including the print heads, extendable to up to 5 years in total with optional Epson CoverPlus. CoverPlus and Epson Cloud Solution PORT require enrolment in the Epson Total Solution program and an internet-connected printer; terms and conditions apply. Regional locations may incur travel charges. |
| In the box | Printer mounted on stand, ink supply system, set of 1.5 L ink and maintenance liquid bags, 20 L cotton pre-treat, medium hanger platen, platen grip pad, re-usable waste ink tank, maintenance kit, power cables; software by web download |
Specifications summarised from Epson Australia’s published information and subject to change by Epson. Print times are Epson’s figures for an A4 portrait image and cover printing only; production time also depends on pre-treatment, loading, flattening and heat pressing, and the ink and pre-treat ship separately from the printer. Ask us about expected output for your jobs.
What else you’ll need
A DTG production set-up involves more than the printer. Epson lists the following as required or recommended.
Heat press
A third-party heat press with adjustable temperature, pressure and timer is required to fix prints.
Pre-treatment
White ink, and fabrics with high polyester or other man-made fibre content, need pre-treating. It can be applied by roller or spray; Epson recommends a pre-treatment machine for high-speed production.
An extra ink set
Part of the supplied ink is used to charge the ink lines and run initial tests, so Epson recommends an additional ink set for full production.
A computer and internet
A 64-bit Windows PC or Mac runs Garment Creator, and Epson Total Solution needs the printer on a network with internet access.
Where the F3000 fits
Single-pass direct-to-garment production
Direct-to-garment (DTG) prints artwork straight onto a garment or pre-cut fabric, which is then heat-pressed to fix the image. On the SC-F3000, separate white and colour printheads lay down both layers as the platen passes through once. Epson notes that the large, easy-to-reach controls let a single operator manage multiple machines.
Epson notes that UltraChrome DG ink is optimised for fabrics with a moderate to loose weave and 50% or more cotton. With the right pre-treatment it can be used on a wide range of single and mixed-fibre fabrics, including polyester, though adhesion and wash durability will vary; Epson recommends testing fabrics with a tight weave or under 25% cotton first.
Epson states that UltraChrome DG ink adheres to the OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT and GOTS-ECOCERT standards.
Suited to:
- High-volume DTG production
- T-shirts and polo tops
- Jeans and sweats
- Décor and fashion applications
- Pre-cut fabric or finished garments
- Oversized garments (large platen)
- Garments with buttons or zips (grooved platen)
- Child sizes (small and extra small platens)
- Sleeve, pant and pocket panels (sleeve platen)
- Caps, hats and shoes (third-party platens)
- Light and dark garments
- Cotton-rich and mixed-fibre fabrics (with pre-treatment)
Interested in the Epson SureColor F3000? Tell us about your production volumes and garments, and we’ll help you plan the set-up, from heat press to pre-treatment.
Request a Quoteor call 07 3412 0285