Test protocol · version 1.0
DTF & sublimation cost-per-print protocol
We print the same A4/letter test design 20 times, weigh ink, film and powder before and after, add the ink used by cleaning cycles, and multiply by the dated price of the maker’s own consumables. The result is a cost per transfer you can re-price with your own supplies.
- Version
- 1.0 (September 25, 2026)
- Applies to
- DTF printers, sublimation printers
- Results so far
- None. Testing starts with our first purchased machines.
What we measure
| Measurement | Unit | Better | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumables cost per A4/letter print | USD | Lower | Main number, with the price date and the price list used. |
| Ink used per print | ml | Lower | Color + white separately for DTF. |
| Maintenance ink per week | ml | Lower | Head cleans and white-ink circulation at the recommended schedule. |
| Failed prints in batch | count | Lower | Banding, clogs or powder defects that make a print unsellable. |
Why this test
Printer makers rarely publish cost per print, and online estimates often ignore white ink, powder and cleaning waste.
For a transfer business, consumables cost drives the price floor. It should be measured, not guessed.
Equipment
We list instrument classes and specifications rather than brands, because the exact units are still being purchased. Each result page will name the exact model and serial-level calibration date.
| Item | Minimum spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Test design KP-DTF-01 (v1.0) | A4/letter sheet, full-color photo + solid logo + fine text, defined ink coverage (published with the file) | Realistic mixed coverage; downloadable so you can compare with your own printer. |
| Precision scale | 0.01 g resolution, checked with calibration weights | Weighing cartridges/tanks, film and powder. |
| Graduated cylinder | 10 ml, class A | Measures each ink’s density to convert grams to ml. |
| Plug-in energy meter | ±1% | Curing oven/heat press and printer electricity per print (reported separately). |
| Thermo-hygrometer | ±0.5 °C, ±3% RH | DTF white ink and powder are humidity-sensitive. |
Setup
- Install and prime the printer exactly as the manual says. Priming ink is recorded but reported separately (one-time cost).
- Use the maker’s own ink, film, powder or paper, and its default RIP/ICC profile.
- Room 20–25 °C, 40–60% RH.
Procedure
- Weigh every ink container (or record tank levels by weight where tanks can be removed), the film/paper roll or sheets, and the powder container.
- Print KP-DTF-01 20 times over two sessions, following the maker’s powdering and curing steps.
- Weigh everything again. Ink used ÷ 20 = ink per print; convert to ml with the measured density.
- Run one week of the maker’s recommended maintenance (automatic cleans, white-ink agitation) and weigh the ink used; report it per week and spread over an example volume (e.g. 50 prints/week) you can change.
- Count failed prints and their cause.
- Price each consumable using the maker’s own store price on a stated date (and the currency). Cost per print = ink + film/paper + powder.
Controls
- Same design, same size, same print mode (named) for every printer.
- Consumable prices are dated and linked; when prices change, we recalculate, and the page says when.
- Third-party inks are a separate, clearly labelled series, never mixed into the main number.
Scoring
The running-cost sub-score (0–10) compares printers of the same type (DTF with DTF, sublimation with sublimation).
| Component | Weight | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per print | 70% | USD per A4/letter |
| Maintenance ink | 15% | ml per week |
| Failed prints | 15% | count of 20 |
| Total | 100% |
Formula. Cost and maintenance score 10 × (lowest in group ÷ this printer’s value). Failed prints score 10 − (2 × failures), floored at 0. Weighted sum, one decimal.
Scores are a convenience. The raw measurements are always published next to them, and our picks explain which measurement mattered for which kind of seller.
What we publish
- All weights before/after, densities, prices with dates and links, and the calculation (CSV + formula).
- Photos of every print in the batch, including failures.
- A calculator link so you can swap in your own consumable prices.
Limitations
- Ink use depends heavily on the design. Our number is for our test design; use the published ml figures to estimate yours.
- A 20-print batch shows running cost, not long-term reliability (head life, clog frequency over months).
Where results will appear
On every product page this protocol applies to, a lab slot like the one below stays empty until we have measured that machine:
cost_per_a4_usdConsumables cost per A4/letter print
Measurement pendingWe'll measure this on a unit we buy ourselves and publish the raw data. Read the protocol for Consumables cost per A4/letter print
Protocol changelog
When we change a protocol, we bump its version, explain why here, and re-run or flag any results measured under the old version.
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | September 25, 2026 | First public version, published before any machine was tested so readers can critique the method first. Not yet run on any machine. |