Choosing the right digital printer is one of the most critical business decisions you will make for your shop. As decoration technology moves forward, many shop owners are looking to add custom digital printing to their existing screen printing setups. Adding the right digital machinery allows you to say yes to short runs, complex multi-color designs, and jobs on difficult fabrics that are hard to set up on a manual press.
But when you look at the options, it is easy to feel stuck. Epson offers two powerhouse machines built for apparel decorators: the Epson SureColor F2270 hybrid printer and the Epson SureColor G6070 dedicated roll-to-roll DTFilm printer.
Understanding the differences between these two digital systems will help you choose the best path forward for your workflow, your space, and your customers.
The Evolution of Digital Custom Printing
To make the right choice, it helps to understand the two main digital methods used in modern print shops: Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF).
With DTG printing, you print directly onto the fabric. This process requires pre-treating the garment, loading it onto a platen, and curing the ink with a heat press or dryer. It results in an incredibly soft hand feel, making it the perfect choice for high-end, 100% cotton apparel.
With DTFilm printing, you print your design onto a special coated PET film. You then apply an adhesive powder, melt the powder, and heat press the transfer onto your garment. This method works beautifully on polyester, nylon, performance wear, and uniquely shaped items like hats, sleeve cuffs, and bags.
Both systems have massive advantages, but they serve very different production styles.
The Epson SureColor F2270: The Ultimate Hybrid Solution
If you want the flexibility to print directly onto garments and create custom transfer films on the same machine, the Epson SureColor F2270 is built for you.
This hybrid system is designed for growing shops that need maximum versatility. One day you might have a customer who wants a small run of detailed, full-color designs on lightweight fashion tees. The next day, you might need to heat press transfers onto synthetic athletic hoodies. The F2270 handles both without demanding massive floor space.
Key Specifications of the F2270:
- Printing Technology: PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology
- Ink Configuration: UltraChrome DG2 Ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White)
- Ink Pack Volume: 800 mL bulk ink packs to reduce packaging waste
- Maximum Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi for exceptionally detailed prints
- Supported Materials: 100% cotton to 50/50 cotton/polyester blends
Why the F2270 Fits Your Shop
The F2270 simplifies your daily production. It features automatic garment thickness optimization, which means the printer measures the distance to the fabric and adjusts the printhead height automatically. This prevents head strikes and keeps your print quality consistent without manual guesswork.
Using Epson Garment Creator 2 software, you can easily queue up DTG files or flip your settings to print mirroring images onto DTF transfer film. It is a compact, clean system that fits perfectly next to your manual screen printing presses.
The Epson SureColor G6070: Dedicated DTFilm Production
If your shop is past the point of doing occasional transfers and you need to run high-volume production daily, you need a dedicated roll-to-roll machine. The Epson SureColor G6070 is a 35.4-inch wide digital film printer built for speed, volume, and low material waste.
This printer does not print directly onto shirts. Instead, it prints continuously onto rolls of transfer film, which you then run through a powder shaker and dryer unit. If you are supplying transfers to other shops, running a busy retail brand, or heating transfers onto hundreds of polyester jerseys a week, this is your workhorse.
Key Specifications of the G6070:
- Printing Width: Fits rolls up to 35.4 inches wide for maximum design layout efficiency
- Ink System: UltraChrome DF Ink in high-capacity 1.6-liter packs
- Included Software: Fiery Digital Factory (Epson Edition) for professional color matching and layout management
- Automated Maintenance: Weekly maintenance routine takes only a few minutes
- Physical Space: Space-saving, front-loading design that can sit flat against a wall
Why the G6070 Fits Your Shop
With a 35.4-inch print width, the G6070 lets you pack your designs tightly across the film. You can gang up dozens of neck labels, chest prints, and full-back graphics side-by-side on a single roll. This maximizes your material use and lowers your cost per print.
The larger 1.6-liter ink packs mean you do not have to stop mid-job to swap supplies. Combined with the included Fiery Digital Factory software, you can easily control your white ink under-bases, adjust color profiles, and manage large production queues efficiently.
Comparing the Workflows: F2270 vs. G6070
To help you decide which system aligns with your goals, let us look at how these digital print solutions compare side-by-side.
| Feature | Epson SureColor F2270 | Epson SureColor G6070 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Hybrid DTG and DTF printing | Dedicated roll-to-roll DTF printing |
| Material Feeding | Individual garment platens or sheet-fed film | Continuous rolls up to 35.4 inches wide |
| Ink Capacity | 800 mL bulk packs | 1.6-liter bulk packs |
| Best For | On-demand retail, boutique printing, short-run variety | High-volume transfer production, oversized prints, gang sheets |
| Included Software | Epson Garment Creator 2 | Fiery Digital Factory (Epson Edition) |
| Footprint (W x D x H) | 39" x 54" x 20" (209 lb) | 64" x 29" x 45" (295 lb) |
How to Choose the Right Machine for Your Business
Making a smart purchasing decision comes down to evaluating your current daily orders and your long-term plans.
Buy the Epson SureColor F2270 if:
You want to offer your customers the ultra-soft feel of direct-to-garment prints on premium cotton shirts, but you also want the option to make film transfers for polyester windbreakers, sleeve prints, and hats. The F2270 gives you a versatile footprint that lets you offer both services without committing to massive roll-to-roll hardware.
Buy the Epson SureColor G6070 if:
Your shop is focused on high-speed transfer production. If you want to print large sheets of transfers to press onto synthetic sports apparel, promotional items, or heavy workwear, the G6070 is the right tool. It is built to run continuously, reduce your overall cost per transfer, and keep up with high-output automatic print shops.
Adding digital printing to your shop does not mean replacing your screen printing press. Instead, these machines work side-by-side with your manual and automatic presses to help you capture every single job that comes through your door.
Ready to Grow Your Digital Printing Business?
Adding the right digital equipment can transform your shop workflow and open up new revenue streams.