Procolored has become one of the most searched desktop DTF brands for small shops, Etsy sellers and first-time decorators. But the lineup (F8, V6, R1390 and a handful of bundles) mixes rebadged Epson-based builds with Procolored’s own motherboards, and the spec sheets do not always match the bench. This guide separates marketing from what you actually get on a 210 mm A4 or 330 mm A3 bed.
Key Takeaways
- Procolored’s three core desktop models are the A4 F8, the A3+ V6 and the R1390 (an Epson R1390-based A3 build).
- Print widths land at roughly 210 mm (F8) and 330 mm (V6 or R1390); neither reaches Fujia’s 650 mm A1 bed.
- List pricing typically runs from about $799 (R1390) to $1,499 (F8 kits) and up to $2,999 for the V6.
- All three use CMYK plus white pigment ink with a powder adhesive step, the same chemistry as every DTF machine.
- Compare against a factory-direct A1 or A3 unit from Fujia before committing to a desktop brand.
What Procolored Actually Sells
Procolored positions itself as a turnkey desktop DTF brand rather than a volume manufacturer. The catalog is built around small-footprint printers that ship with an oven, an ink starter set and a white-ink circulation system. That is genuinely convenient for a first buyer. The trade-off is duty cycle: these are decorator-grade machines, not production-grade.
The Three Models That Matter
| Model | Print width | Typical role | List price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| F8 (A4) | ~210 mm | Entry, mugs, small logos | $999 to $1,499 |
| V6 (A3+) | ~330 mm | Small batches, 12×16 in transfers | $1,999 to $2,999 |
| R1390 (A3) | ~329 mm | Budget A3, hobby shops | $799 to $1,199 |
The F8 is the volume seller: a 210 mm A4 bed paired with a single head and Procolored’s L-series motherboard. The V6 steps up to a 330 mm platen and dual heads for faster fills. The R1390 is the cheapest entry but leans on an older Epson R1390 chassis, so spare-part availability trails the newer platforms.
Print Width and Physical Footprint
A 210 mm bed handles chest logos, tote bags and mug wraps but not a full 12×16 in sheet in one pass. The 330 mm models cover most garment transfers up to about 13×19 in. If your orders include hoodie panels, towels or multi-item sheets, a 650 mm A1 machine such as Fujia’s A1 DTF printer simply fits more per run. Footprint is the quiet winner for Procolored: a desktop unit slides under a shelf and runs on a standard outlet.
Ink System and the White-Ink Problem
Every Procolored desktop unit runs CMYK plus white pigment ink with a powder adhesive and a curing oven. White ink is where desktop DTF lives or dies: it settles, clogs and stains if the circulation pump is weak. Procolored markets a white-ink recycling loop on the F8 and V6, and in practice it reduces daily purges versus a passive tank. Budget R1390 kits often ship with a simpler tank, so plan a short daily maintenance routine.
Real Throughput: What “Production” Means on a Desktop
Published speeds are optimistic. On a 210 mm bed at 1440 x 1440 dpi, a full A4 transfer takes roughly 3 to 5 minutes including pre-heat and powder. That is 100 to 150 chest logos per 8-hour day at a sustainable pace, not the thousands per hour some listings imply. The 330 mm V6 with dual heads roughly doubles sheet area per pass but still caps near a few hundred finished transfers daily. For context, Fujia’s A1 line is built for continuous roll feed at materially higher daily volume.
Where Fujia Print Fits
If your volume is a handful of items per week, a desktop Procolored is a reasonable start. Once you cross into daily orders, the math shifts to width, uptime and ink cost per square metre. Fujia Print builds 650 mm A1 and 300 mm A3 DTF printers at the factory in Guangzhou (operating since 2011, serving decorators in 50 plus countries) and ships them with the same CMYK plus white chemistry. Our 13-inch A3 DTF printer is the closest direct alternative to the Procolored V6 footprint, with a wider platen and local support. See the full Fujia DTF printer range for specs and factory pricing. For a like-for-like 330 mm platen, Fujia’s A3 DTF printer is priced factory-direct and typically lands below a branded V6 kit once reseller markup is removed.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy a Procolored
Buy a Procolored F8 or V6 if you are starting out, want a small footprint and value a branded kit with an oven in the box. Skip it if you need roll-to-roll volume, hoodie-size panels or the lowest ink cost per transfer at scale. The R1390 fits a tight budget but plan for older-chassis parts. None of the three is a substitute for a production A1 when daily volume climbs.
Is Procolored a good DTF printer for beginners?
Yes for absolute beginners. The F8 ships as a kit with oven, ink and a white-ink loop, so the learning curve is shorter than assembling parts yourself. Expect to learn powder shaking, curing and daily head care regardless of brand.
What is the real print width of the Procolored F8?
About 210 mm, which is true A4. That covers chest logos, tote bags and small name drops but not a full 12×16 in sheet in one pass. Step up to the 330 mm V6 or R1390 for larger transfers.
How much does a Procolored DTF printer cost?
List pricing runs roughly $799 for an R1390 kit, $999 to $1,499 for the F8, and $1,999 to $2,999 for the V6, before shipping and duties. Real landed cost varies by region and reseller.
Procolored or Fujia for a growing shop?
For a few items a week, either works. As daily volume grows, Fujia’s A1 and A3 printers win on platen width, roll feed and factory-direct pricing. Compare the Fujia DTF range against any desktop brand before you commit.
Conclusion
Procolored earns its spot as a beginner-friendly desktop DTF brand: the F8 and V6 are competent 210 to 330 mm kits with ovens included, and the R1390 is the budget A3 entry. The limit is duty cycle. When your orders move from weekly to daily, width and ink cost per transfer decide the winner, and that is exactly where Fujia’s A1 and A3 DTF printers are built to lead. Talk to Fujia about a factory-direct A3 or A1 unit and get real throughput numbers for your shop.
