Should You Buy a Procolored DTF Printer? Understanding the Pros, Cons, and What to Expect

Question:

After watching a video about a DTF printer failure on a Procolored F8 Panda Gen 2 model, I'm wondering whether you would recommend Procolored printers in general-for example, the A13 R1390 version. Are these printers reliable choices?

Answer:

Regarding your question: I prefer not to comment on any specific brand in a blanket, positive or negative way, as I want to remain neutral and fair. However, based on both experience and industry-wide patterns, there are some important considerations when it comes to Procolored printers-including models like the A13 R1390, F8 Panda, and many similar rebranded or cloned Epson-based DTF units.

1. Most DTF Conversions and Cloned Printers Share Similar Strengths and Weaknesses

The majority of these printers-Procolored, Sublistar, PUNEHOD, "no-name" Alibaba units, and many private-label clones-are based on the same Epson-style platforms, usually the XP600, I3200, or R1390/L1800 engines.

Because of this, they share common traits:

• They are workable, but usually not perfect out of the box.

• Most require tweaking, calibration, maintenance, and sometimes minor modification.

• Reliability varies widely depending on the assembly quality from the factory.

So while one user may have a great experience, another may face failures in just a few days-as demonstrated in the video you referenced.

2. If I Were Buying One Personally

If I were in the position of a buyer, my strategy would be:

• Buy the cheapest version of the platform you're already interested in.
  In this market, paying more doesn't always give you better internal components or engineering.

• Do extensive research beforehand.
  Watching YouTube reviews, repair videos, and setup guides will give you a realistic understanding of how to maintain these machines.

• Expect to do some level of tinkering.
  These printers often work well-but only after the user adjusts, aligns, or replaces small parts over time.

3. What I Strongly Recommend Before Buying

Search the brand name in Facebook groups and read posts from real users. This is where you will find the most honest feedback-not just marketing.

At minimum, check groups such as:

• DTF Printer User Groups

• Epson L1800 / R1390 DTF Conversion Groups

• DTF Troubleshooting Communities

• XP600 and I3200 DTF Printer Forums

These groups contain thousands of users sharing:

• Common failure points

• Solutions and modifications

• Expected lifespan of components

• Honest discussions about maintenance workload

Patterns in these groups will tell you more about a printer's reliability than any ad or review.

4. Understanding Why Some Units Fail in Days

As shown in the video you referenced, some printers fail quickly due to:

• Poor factory assembly

• Uncalibrated carriage tension

• Weak pumps or dampers

• Bad wiring

• Misaligned encoder strips

• Inconsistent firmware behavior

While these issues are not exclusive to Procolored, they are common across all mass-produced DTF clones.

That's why research and realistic expectations are essential before purchasing.

Addressing printer issues-whether choosing a machine or dealing with breakdowns-is often hands-on and varies from unit to unit. Because of this, we can't provide remote troubleshooting or brand-specific repair guidance. If you need help with a physical printer issue, we offer an in-person diagnostic service through our local repair facility at BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that evaluation is done on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times may occur. Our services can address entire printers or individual components, and we provide clear instructions for drop-off.

However, many users find great success by researching online. You can start with YouTube or visit our channel homepage BCH Technologies (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon located next to "About" to locate specific topics-after nearly nine years of videos, the search function is the easiest way to find content, and it may even lead you to other creators who can help as well.

Thank you again for your question and for supporting our work. Your engagement means a great deal to us, and we're always here to help guide you in the right direction.