Visual Impact Expo launch-pad for new compact DTG/DTF options

Visual Impact will see at least three newly launched, compact DTG/DTF garment printers operating, making the event a must-attend for any smaller businesses, custom apparel producers, start-ups and established operators looking to broaden what they can offer without committing to large-scale production infrastructure.

GJS brings Brother GTX300 (pictured)

GJS (Stand G5) will premiere the newly launched Brother GTX300 hybrid DTG/DTF garment printer (pictured), announced by Brother International in July 2026, which combines direct-to-garment and direct-to-film printing in a single compact machine at a new, lower price point.

Greg Stone, Managing Director, GJS, says: “DTG and DTF are increasingly complementary rather than competing methods, and decorators are telling us they want the hand-feel of DTG when required, without doubling their equipment costs or floor space in order to do DTF.”

The GTX300 allows decorators to switch between DTG and DTF production workflows without adding additional equipment, enabling them to print on cotton and natural-fibre garments via DTG while extending to polyester, blended fabrics, performance materials, and oversized or non-traditional print locations via DTF. It features Brother’s advanced ink flow technology for consistent, high-resolution output across both printing methods, a seven-inch touchscreen control panel, automated maintenance with continuous white ink circulation, and GTX Graphics Lab software for integrated DTG and DTF workflow management.

Stone adds: “The GTX300 is all about doing more with less. Quick-change platens make it fast and easy to switch between garment sizes, all maintenance items and consumables are loaded from the front, and a competitive price point brings it within reach of decorators who may have previously ruled owning a Brother printer out.”

New Roland DG VersaStudio BY2‑20

On the Roland DG Australia (Stand A9), visitors are invited to see the newly launched VersaStudio BY2‑20, a compact Direct‑To‑Film (DTF) printer which the company says is ‘designed to deliver consistent, high-quality apparel production with confidence’.

Ryugo Nimura, Executive Officer, Global Sales and Marketing Division, Roland DG, says: “With the BY2‑20, we set out to redefine expectations for compact DTF printing: this is a professional, production‑ready solution delivering consistent quality, integrated simplicity, and dependable day-to-day performance. By bringing together hardware, software, inks, media and support into a single workflow, we’re helping businesses protect their reputation by producing professional‑quality apparel they can rely on.”

The company says that as the DTF market continues to expand ‘with many solutions prioritising low upfront costs over long-term reliability’, the BY2-20 is positioned as a professional alternative ‘designed for dependable output and predictable performance’. By bringing together ‘advanced print technology, integrated software, and a fully supported ecosystem’, it removes much of the complexity associated with DTF printing, supporting continuous production and minimising the hands-on intervention often associated with compact DTF systems.

According to Roland DG, the refined ink flow, internal temperature control and large-capacity white ink cartridges of the CMYK+White BY2-20 deliver sharp detail, vivid colour, and predictable, repeatable results, with the automatic white under-base generation helping to simplify production. This makes the compact printer well-suited for a wide range of apparel applications, from T‑shirts and sportswear to workwear, décor, and accessories.

The BY2-20 also has a standalone cutting capability, which allows users to produce heat-transfer vinyl graphics alongside DTF transfers, supporting premium effects such as metallic, glitter and holographic finishes and helping businesses expand their product offering from a single device.

Compact EPSON SureColor F1060 

In the meantime, on Stand D11, Epson is promising a ‘larger than life’ experience e for visitors, so make sure you don’t miss the company’s new ultra-compact hybrid desktop printer built for custom direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTFilm) imaging.

As a logical addition to its SureColor F-Series printer line-up, the SC-F1060 has been designed to open new doors for event operators, clothing retailers, print-for-pay providers and artisans, ‘combining easy operation with flexible production in an extremely compact footprint’.

Integrated DTG and DTFilm support allows operators to go beyond traditional natural-fibre t-shirt printing. Imaging onto film enables transfer onto various materials, including man-made fabric and uniquely shaped items, further expanding the ability to create customised product offerings.

The inclusion of white ink prints enables output on dark garments along with enhanced presentation on light garments. Combining Epson’s proprietary PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead with Nozzle Verification Technology and next-generation UltraChrome DG2 ink with CMYK+White, the SureColor F1060 delivers vibrant colour with incredible detail and consistent output, described by Epson as ‘offering outstanding clarity with near-photographic print quality’. A cartridge-free ink-pack system also simplifying operation while enhancing productivity and reducing waste and mess.

An enclosed design with interior lighting and a clear viewing window, a large touchscreen interface, fully automatic garment height adjustment and a self-cleaning print head for easy production with minimal maintenance, Epson clearly has ease of use front of mind when designing this latest F-Series printer.

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