Required Equipment (Printing on T-shirts)

To print on a T-shirt using this printer, you need the equipment listed here, depending on your print project.

Platen (provided with the printer or optional item)
The printer comes with an M size hanger platen. There are five other types of platens available in different sizes.
Heat press (commercially available)
A heat press is required before you can print on a T-shirt. A heat press is used to remove creases from T-shirts, pressing down standing fibers on T-shirts before printing to help prevent nozzle clogs, and to fix the pre-treatment solution and ink. Your heat press needs to be larger than your platen and able to sustain a temperature of 338 °F (170 °C) or more for 90 seconds. Check the accuracy of your heat press temperature with a probe; temperatures exceeding 356 °F may result in dull colors. For best results, use a heat press with a piece of parchment (silicone) paper or a Teflon (fluoro-resin) sheet at low pressure to allow the steam to escape.
Heat tunnel (commercially available)
A heat tunnel is used to fix the ink after printing. A heat tunnel is not necessary if you have a heat press.
Grip pad tool (included with printer)
The grip pad tool is used to remove slack and creases when loading a T-shirt on a platen with a grip pad.
Heat-resistant release sheet (commercially available)
A heat-resistant release sheet is placed over the T-shirt to prevent any pre-treatment solution or ink from sticking to the heat press. You can use parchment (silicone) paper, Teflon (fluoro-resin) sheets, or other types of heat-resistant material. Parchment (silicone) sheets tend to produce a matte effect and fluoro-resin sheets tend to produce a glossy effect. You can also use the sheet with the grip pad tool to load T-shirts on a platen covered with a grip pad.
Heat-resistant fabric (commercially available)
Use heat-resistant fabric to fix ink to uneven areas near seams, such as around sleeves. For best results, use the same type of fabric as the T-shirt.
T-shirts (commercially available)
For best results, use a T-shirt that is 100% cotton with thick and tightly-woven (ringspun) material, or a T-shirt that is 100% polyester. Printing on materials with high polyester content will result in more subdued colors. Since the print quality cannot always be guaranteed for some types of fabric, perform a test print first.
Pre-treatment solution (available from Epson)
Pre-treatment solution is necessary for printing White ink on cotton T-shirts, or when printing on polyester T-shirts. There are two pre-treatment solutions: one for cotton shirts with a blend ratio of 50 to 100%, and another for polyester shirts with a blend ratio of 50 to 100%. If the correct pre-treatment solution is not applied to the T-shirt, colors may not adhere to the T-shirt or develop properly. For shirts that are a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester, either pre-treatment solution can be used, but there may be differences in the results. Perform a test print to determine which pre-treatment solution best suits your needs. For best results, use a paint roller or sprayer to apply pre-treatment solution to the T-shirt.
Note: Using non-Epson pre-treatment solution may yield poor color, image quality, or washability.
Note: The cotton pre-treatment solution must be diluted with distilled water at a minimum 1:1 ratio. The amount of water added can vary depending on the ink used and the device for fixing ink. The polyester pre-treatment solution can be used diluted or undiluted, depending on the type of ink used.
Pre-treatment roller set (optional item or commercially available)
A paint roller can be used to apply the pre-treatment solution to the T-shirt, and makes it easier to apply the solution to uneven areas such as pockets. The tray is used to allow the pre-treatment solution to soak into the roller. Choose a paint roller made of short polyester fiber with excellent liquid absorption and release, and one whose handle is made of rust-resistant aluminum. Use a tray to allow the pre-treatment solution to soak into the roller. When using a paint roller, make sure to apply the pre-treatment solution evenly, or the white print quality may not be as bright or printed colors may appear distorted. The optional pre-treatment roller set includes the roller, handle (roller grip), and a tray. If you don't have the optional set, use a different paint roller for each color.
Distilled water (commercially available)
Distilled or purified water is used to dilute the pre-treatment solution and to clean sensor covers.
Pre-treatment machine (commercially available)
A pre-treatment machine is used to spray the pre-treatment solution onto the T-shirt. Using a pre-treatment machine is quicker and easier than using a paint roller; however, more of the pre-treatment solution may be used because of overspray. For best results, we recommend an electric sprayer that allows you to spray a fine mist. Check in advance if the solution can be applied properly according to the pre-treatment solution and pre-treatment conditions.
Sticky tape or lint roller (commercially available)
Use sticky tape or a lint roller to remove lint from the print surface of the T-shirt. Take care not to pull fibers up from the T-shirt.
Hard roller (optional item or commercially available)
Use a hard roller to press the fibers flat on the print surface of the T-shirt before printing. Make sure that you prepare a separate hard roller from the pre-treatment solution roller.
Related references
Optional Equipment and Replacement Parts
Related information
Pre-treating a T-shirt