Brother printheads have always promoted the development of DTG printing ink technology
We know that in the application of DTG (Direct to garment) printing of T-shirts, the two mainstream printheads of EPSON and Kyocera occupy both small-scale and large-scale markets. In addition to this, Japan’s Brother Printer Company has always been committed to promoting the development of DTG printing ink technology and has gained a place in the field of T-shirt printing with its professional-grade printhead technology. It is worth noting that Brother has always maintained the exclusive right to use its printhead technology, which has been used only for Brother brand printers for many years, but in recent years, well-known manufacturers such as Mimaki have begun to adopt Brother printheads, which not only demonstrates the outstanding performance of Brother printheads in the field of DTG printer ink printing, but also heralds the trend of technical cooperation and innovation in the industry.
In the Chinese market, companies such as Atexco are actively exploring the potential of Brother printheads in the application of DTG textile ink printing. Although it is still in the testing stage, it will take some time for large-scale market promotion. According to an Atexco agent, more than 20 sets of Atexco printers equipped with Brother printheads have been sold to the market. In addition, other domestic printer brands are also conducting relevant tests in full swing, hoping to open up new horizons in the field of textile coating ink printing.
We know that in addition to DTG pigment ink printing, Brother’s product line also has popular office document printing equipment. Against this background, a phenomenon worthy of attention has emerged – some smaller Chinese printer brands have begun to acquire second-hand Brother office printers in order to obtain the print heads in them for their DTG ink printers. Although this practice is innovative, it also hides risks. Because the service life of second-hand printheads is unknown, the degree of wear is difficult to assess, and more importantly, these printheads are not designed for coating anti-printing printing solutions, so there may be compatibility and performance limitations.
This situation is quite similar to the fate of Epson’s 4720 printhead before 2018. The 4720 printhead, originally used for office desktop printers, was modified for thermal sublimation and weak solvent printers, which affected the reputation of the Epson printhead in the industry. Because it could not be stopped, Epson finally launched the I3200 nozzle optimized for industrial applications, which is an optimized version of the 4720 nozzle. This process once again proves that market demand and technological iteration often inspire innovation and change in the industry.
For consumers who intend to invest in DTG printing ink equipment, it is crucial to understand the source and characteristics of the nozzle. When purchasing, be sure to carefully evaluate to ensure that the selected equipment can meet the needs of long-term stable operation.