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Procolored K13 Lite DTF Printer, 13" A3 Apparel Printer with LiteHead Technology, White Ink... | $1,999.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The Procolored F13 is a 13-inch, single-printhead DTF printer intended for printing transfer film—not a one-step garment printer. Procolored rates it at 10 minutes per Letter/A4 print, but that figure is not an independently tested production result and does not include powdering, curing, or heat pressing. It may suit a small custom-print operation that can work within its rated width and handle the full transfer workflow; buyers should weigh those steps, Windows-only RIP software, and regular maintenance before choosing it.
This review assesses the manufacturer’s published specifications and instructions. It is not a hands-on test, so print quality, real-world speed, reliability, ink use, and operating cost have not been independently established.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Reliable Printing with LiteHead Technology】Powered by Procolored LiteHead Technology, the K13 Lite is designed for stable performance with easier maintenance. Automatic cleaning helps reduce clogging and ink drying, while the White Ink Circulation System runs regularly to prevent sedimentation and maintain smooth, consistent printing results.
- 【Smart & Simplified Operation】The K13 Lite makes DTF printing easier with one-touch ink pumping and an intuitive visual touchscreen interface. Three customizable pixel-style themes provide a personalized user experience, while the streamlined control system helps simplify daily printing operations.
- 【Professional Color Accuracy & Detailed Prints】Achieve vibrant and accurate transfers with G7-certified color accuracy, optimized color curves, and Procolored Studio Lite software. The system automatically detects RGB and CMYK image formats and applies calibrated color profiles to help reproduce designs from screen to fabric with consistent color quality.
- 【Versatile Printing for Back-to-School & Everyday Projects】 With a 13" A3 printing area, the K13 Lite supports flexible DTF applications across cotton, polyester, denim, canvas, and other fabric materials. Create custom apparel, school T-shirts, team apparel, tote bags, personalized accessories, and transfer designs with vibrant colors and detailed patterns.
- 【Advanced Printhead Protection System】The Infrared Printhead SafeGuard System monitors the printing area in real time and detects film warping and foreign particles as small as 2 mm. This intelligent protection helps reduce potential printhead damage, improve reliability, and extend the lifespan of the printing system.
What the Procolored F13 is
Procolored describes the F13 as an L1800-based, single-array, roll-fed direct-to-film (DTF) printer with a film cutter. It prints a design onto PET film; the film is then prepared and heat-pressed onto fabric. The specifications below are manufacturer listings, not independently measured results. Procolored F13 product page.
| Specification | Procolored listing |
|---|---|
| Printhead and feed | L1800, one printhead array; roll-fed film |
| Maximum print width | 13 inches (330 mm) |
| Maximum resolution | 1440 × 1440 dpi (8 pass) |
| Ink configuration | CMYK+WW |
| Listed weight | 44 lb (20 kg) |
| Listed dimensions | 33 × 15 × 11.8 inches (84 × 38 × 30 cm) |
| Control software | Pro RIP for Windows |
The product FAQ says a single job can be up to 31 inches long. Width and job length are separate constraints: the 13-inch rating is the maximum width, while longer artwork can be fed along the roll within the stated job limit.
How fast can it produce transfers?
Procolored lists 10 minutes per Letter/A4 print, six Letter/A4 pieces per hour, and 3.75 ml of ink per Letter/A4 print. It also says the printer can produce four square feet per hour and publishes size-specific estimates. These are manufacturer figures; the cited product information does not state test conditions, and they should not be treated as guaranteed finished-transfer output.
Print dimensions, artwork coverage, setup, film handling, powder application, curing, and pressing all affect how many usable transfers are completed in a work period. The six-pieces-per-hour figure describes a manufacturer estimate for Letter/A4 printing, not an independently verified rate from artwork preparation through finished garment.
What the DTF workflow requires
Printing is only one stage. Procolored’s sequence is to check printhead status, print the design, apply adhesive powder, bake the film, heat-press the transfer onto fabric, and press again. That means the F13 alone does not complete a garment; the workflow also requires powder, a way to cure the film, and a heat press.
- Check the printer. Run the printhead-status check and nozzle check as directed in the applicable manual.
- Print the design. Prepare the artwork in a separate image editor, then send it through Pro RIP.
- Apply adhesive powder. The powder bonds the printed design to the transfer film.
- Cure the film. Bake the powdered film using an appropriate curing setup.
- Transfer to fabric. Heat-press the film onto the garment, then perform the second press in line with the transfer and fabric instructions.
White ink is part of the listed CMYK+WW configuration. Procolored says it is necessary for DTF because, without it, “the design can be seen through.” That is the manufacturer’s explanation; the practical result depends on the design and fabric.
What comes in the listed supply bundle?
Procolored’s standard-supplies list names five 250 ml bottles of CMYKW DTF ink, 250 ml of nozzle-protection fluid, 500 g of adhesive powder, and a 13-inch PET film roll measuring 328 feet (100 m). Confirm the contents of the specific package being sold rather than assuming every listing or bundle is identical. Procolored’s support information also says ink and powder may ship separately from the printer because they are special cargo. Procolored Support Resources.
Software and computer requirements
Procolored’s product FAQ says Pro RIP is free but requires a software dongle, runs only on Windows, and cannot edit images. A buyer therefore needs a supported Windows setup for printing and separate software for creating or editing artwork.
The manufacturer suggests Parallels or Boot Camp for Mac users, but compatibility and performance for those configurations have not been established here. If your production computer is a Mac, confirm the current software and driver requirements with Procolored before purchase rather than assuming a virtualized or dual-boot setup will work reliably.
F13 or F13 Pro?
Procolored says the F13 Pro has two printheads while the F13 has one, and claims the Pro prints at twice the F13’s speed. The F13’s product page rates it at 10 minutes per Letter/A4 print. This is a manufacturer model comparison, not an independent benchmark; it does not establish a difference in print quality or cost per finished garment.
| Decision factor | F13 | F13 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Printhead count | One, according to Procolored | Two, according to Procolored |
| Speed comparison | Manufacturer rates Letter/A4 at 10 minutes | Manufacturer claims twice the F13 speed |
| Independent performance results | Not established | Not established |
Choose based on your expected order volume, the print dimensions you need, total budget for printer and workflow equipment, software platform, maintenance capacity, and written warranty and support terms. A claimed speed advantage is most relevant if print capacity is the bottleneck; it does not by itself show which model is more economical or produces better transfers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Oven options listed by Procolored
Procolored lists two optional ovens with the same 13 × 16.5-inch (330 × 420 mm) working area. The company describes one as a smokeless infrared circulation oven with built-in smoke filtration and the other as a lighter model using a standard heating tube. These are manufacturer descriptions, not independent assessments.
| Listed oven | Working area | Maximum temperature listed | Listed weight | Manufacturer description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smokeless infrared circulation oven | 13 × 16.5 inches (330 × 420 mm) | Up to 140°C | 21.4 kg | Built-in smoke filtration |
| Panda oven | 13 × 16.5 inches (330 × 420 mm) | Up to 130°C | 9 kg | Standard heating tube; lighter option |
Check whether an oven is included in the specific bundle. Procolored’s manual also advises ventilating the oven area because baking produces odor; built-in filtration should not be taken as proof that a particular workspace needs no additional ventilation.
Maintenance and working conditions
The L1800 manual describes regular care, including a printhead clean and nozzle check before printing, cleaning ink spills around the printhead and capping station, cleaning the encoder strip, and ensuring the printhead and capping station are sealed at shutdown. It also recommends keeping the environment above 22°C (71°F), humidity above 50%, and the machine and ink out of direct sunlight. Apply these instructions only where they match the F13-specific guidance supplied with the unit. Procolored manuals and downloads.
The manual warns that skipping its maintenance schedule can cause clogs or serious damage and advises against manually flushing the printhead with a syringe. Treat upkeep as a recurring part of ownership, especially if you expect long idle periods. For model-specific procedures or troubleshooting, use the current F13 instructions and contact Procolored support rather than attempting an unapproved repair.
Warranty and support: get the terms in writing
Procolored’s support page lists a 12-month printer warranty and describes one complimentary printhead repair and one free replacement within six months of purchase. The F13 product FAQ separately describes a “1 Year Printhead Warranty” with one free replacement within one year and shows a promotion end date without a year. The surfaced statements differ, so the applicable printhead coverage is not clear from those pages alone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Before buying, ask the seller or manufacturer to confirm in writing which warranty applies to your location, purchase date, and exact bundle, including the duration and conditions for printhead repair or replacement. Procolored’s support page also lists free technical support for the first 12 months, remote online support, and a California service center; confirm current availability for your region.
What this review can—and cannot—establish
The published specifications and workflow describe what Procolored says the F13 is designed to do. They do not establish typical print quality, repeatability, reliability, actual throughput, ink consumption in ordinary use, noise, or cost per finished transfer. Procolored’s product page displays customer reviews and testimonials, but these are user reviews hosted by the manufacturer, not independent verification of typical performance.
A meaningful hands-on assessment would need to report its conditions and sample size—for example, nozzle-check repeatability, elapsed time from print through cured transfer, color accuracy, wash durability across fabrics, maintenance time, waste, and cost per finished transfer. No such controlled F13 test results are established here.
Quick Recap
Who should consider the F13?
- It may fit: a small custom-print operation that can work within a 13-inch print width, already has or is budgeting for curing and pressing equipment, uses a suitable Windows setup, and can follow regular maintenance.
- Think carefully if: you need independently verified production capacity, plan to leave the printer idle for extended periods, rely on a Mac-only workflow, or need warranty certainty before committing.
- Compare the Pro model if: the manufacturer’s claimed speed advantage could address your expected volume—but do not infer better quality or lower unit costs from that claim alone.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
