The standard temperature for curing most DTG (Direct-to-Garment) inks—including Epson UltraChrome DG and compatible brands like Winnerjet—is 320°F (160°C). However, achieving professional, wash-fast results requires mastering the “Curing Trinity”: Temperature, Time, and Pressure.
When using a heat press, the safest “Gold Standard” setting is 320°F (160°C) for 90 seconds with medium pressure. While high-speed inks like Image Armor can cure at 350°F (175°C) in just 35 seconds, the 320°F/90s combo remains the industry benchmark. It prevents garment scorching while ensuring the white ink layer is bone-dry and won’t peel.
The Best Temperature for Epson DTG Ink
If you are running professional equipment like the Epson SureColor F2100 or F3070, following the Epson Official Support documentation is your first step toward quality control. Epson UltraChrome DG ink is renowned for its color accuracy and is OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified, making it the top choice for high-end retail apparel.
When working with synthetics or blends, beware of Dye Migration. To prevent the shirt’s dye from bleeding into your print, adopt a “Low & Slow” strategy: drop your temperature to 302°F (150°C) and extend the dwell time.
Epson Official Curing Parameters
For 100% cotton garments, the official “Gold Standard” is:
Temperature: 320°F (160°C)
Time: 90 Seconds
Pressure: Medium (approx. 40 PSI for pneumatic presses; a firm, noticeable resistance for manual presses).
Fine-Tuning for Different Fabrics
Different designs and fabrics react differently to heat; use these adjustments for specific scenarios:
Dark Garments (With White Ink): Heavy white ink layers hold significant moisture. Stick strictly to 90 seconds. If the print feels tacky afterward, don’t hike the heat; instead, do a second press for 15–20 seconds with a fresh parchment sheet to let residual steam escape.
Light Garments (CMYK Only): Without white ink, you can be more efficient. Curing can often be shortened to 45–60 seconds at 320°F, which helps prevent white tees from yellowing.
Polyester Blends: Epson inks perform best on 100% cotton. For 50/50 blends, reduce heat to 300°F (150°C) and extend the time to 120 seconds to fight dye migration.
Third-Party Ink Brand Comparison
Including compatible inks in your workflow can significantly impact your margins and versatility.
1. DuPont™ Artistri® — The Industry Standard
The “Original” DTG ink. Many OEM formulas are derived from DuPont chemistry.
Pros: Legendary wash-fastness; exceptional skin tones and gradients; wide compatibility with Epson-head conversions.
Cons: Higher price point among third-party options; white ink opacity is average compared to newer “high-coverage” formulas.
Curing Settings: 330°F (165°C) for 60–90 seconds.
2. Image Armor (E-Series) — The Speed Demon
Designed for high-volume POD (Print-on-Demand) shops.
Pros: Ultra-fast 35-second cure; high-opacity white ink; vibrant CMYK saturation.
Cons: Highly sensitive to pretreatment; expensive (near OEM prices).
Curing Settings: 350°F (175°C) for 35 seconds.
3. Firebird — The Balanced Choice
A favorite for small-to-mid-sized studios.
Pros: Budget-friendly; “head-friendly” formula prevents clogs; excellent elasticity/stretch.
Cons: White ink settles faster (requires more frequent agitation); colors aren’t as “punchy” as Image Armor.
Curing Settings: 330°F (165°C) for 60–90 seconds.
4. Kodak — Nano-Tech Stability
Leverages Kodak’s world-class pigment grinding technology.
Pros: Extremely low clog rate (particles <50nm); soft, “screen-print” hand feel.
Cons: Harder to source; smaller support network.
Curing Settings: 320°F (160°C) for 90 seconds.
5. Winnerjet — The ROI Champion
The go-to for high-volume shops looking to slash overhead.
Pros: Incredible price-to-performance ratio; optimized for Epson DX5/DX7/i3200 heads; high-opacity white ink for dark garments.
Cons: Requires precise pretreatment ratios for maximum washability; slight batch-to-batch color variance requires occasional ICC profiling.
Curing Settings: 320°F–330°F (160°C–165°C) for 60–90 seconds (90s recommended for best results).
DTG Ink Curing Reference Table
In DTG production, different brands react uniquely to heat based on their chemical composition. Please note: if switching from OEM to a brand like Winnerjet, perform a small test press first to ensure optimal wash-fastness and color accuracy.
| Brand | Temp (F / C) | Time (Heat Press) | Core Advantage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson OEM | 320°F / 160°C | 90s | Maximum Stability | New users / Warranty-conscious |
| Winnerjet | 320-330°F / 160-165°C | 60-90s | High ROI / No Clogging | Converted printers / High-volume |
| DuPont | 330°F / 165°C | 60-90s | Wash-fastness Legend | High-end boutique orders |
| Image Armor | 350°F / 175°C | 35s | Production Speed | High-volume POD factories |
| Firebird | 330°F / 165°C | 60s | Balanced Performance | Small-to-mid studios |
| Kodak | 320°F / 160°C | 90s | Soft Hand / Fine Particles | Long-term head maintenance |
Why Temperature Matters for Wash-Fastness
Under-curing is the #1 cause of print failure. DTG ink curing (such as Winnerjet or Epson) is a chemical cross-linking process. If the heat doesn’t reach 320°F, the resins cannot bond with the fabric fibers. The result is a print that looks fine until the first wash, where it cracks, fades, or peels away entirely. If a stretch test results in cracking or reveals the garment color, it is a sign of under-curing.
Over-curing causes permanent physical damage. Excessive heat or time makes the ink layer brittle. The print loses its elasticity, feeling like stiff cardboard and cracking under the slightest tension. Furthermore, high heat can scorch white garments or trigger dye migration in synthetics. Always prioritize more time over more heat to ensure quality.
Which Curing Method is Right for You?
In the DTG industry, the same 160°C (320°F) performs differently depending on the equipment.
1. Manual Heat Press
Application: Startups and small studios.
Pro Tip: Pressure is the hardest variable to control. Use the “feel” method: when you close the handle, you should feel significant resistance without needing your full body weight to lock it.
Note: When using third-party inks like Winnerjet, briefly lift the plate after 45 seconds to “degas” (release steam) before finishing the final 45 seconds.
2. Pneumatic Heat Press
Application: Mid-sized factories seeking consistency.
Parameter: Set pressure between 40-60 PSI (approx. 3-4 Bar).
Advantage: Ensures constant pressure across every garment, which is vital for Epson color accuracy and Winnerjet durability.
3. Conveyor Dryer
Application: Mass production.
Logic: Dryers rely on forced-air circulation (non-contact), which is efficient but slower at evaporating moisture.
Setting: For Winnerjet ink, usually requires 330°F (165°C) for 3-4 minutes.
Caveat: Ensure the “core temperature” of the garment hits 320°F (160°C) as it exits, not just the display temp of the dryer.
The Three-Step Quality Test: Is it Cured?
Don’t wait for a customer complaint. Perform these three tests before shipping:
Stretch Test:
Operation: Once the print is fully cooled, pull the fabric gently in both directions.
Result: If the ink stretches with the fabric without cracking, it is cured. If it cracks, the temperature was too low.
Rub Test:
Operation: Use a clean white cotton cloth and rub the print surface firmly 10 times.
Result: If there is significant color transfer (crocking), the dwell time was too short or there is too much pretreatment residue.
Wash Test:
Operation: Before bulk production, wash one sample at 104°F (40°C).
Result: Check for blurred edges or white ink show-through. This is the ultimate proof of Winnerjet’s bonding strength.
Troubleshooting Guide: Save Your Reprints
Even with correct parameters, environmental variables can cause failure. Use these solutions to eliminate production downtime and avoid expensive returns.
| Symptom | Root Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny bubbles/pinholes | Temp too high; moisture flashed into steam too fast. | Lower temp by 10°F or use two short press cycles (e.g., press 15s, lift, then finish). |
| Ink peeling with parchment | Under-curing or poor-quality release paper. | Add 15-20s to dwell time; ensure use of high-quality Teflon or silicone-coated paper. |
| Yellow scorching on light tees | Pretreatment reacting with high heat or over-exposure. | Use less pretreatment; drop temp to 300°F (150°C) and extend time to 120s. |
| Wash-out after one cycle | Low pressure or water-repellent fabric coating. | Increase PSI to 40-60; verify 100% cotton substrate or remove fabric finishers before printing. |
Professional Verdict: Which Ink Should You Choose?
For Reliability: Stick with Epson OEM. It’s the safest path for high-end clients and machine longevity.
For Profitability: Choose Winnerjet. It offers the best balance of OEM-like flow and significantly lower costs, perfect for scaling a business.
For Speed:Image Armor is the winner if your production bottleneck is the heat press station.
For Premium Durability:DuPont remains the gold standard for high-street boutique quality.
