LONGER’s ePrint UV printer has moved beyond supporting UV inks alone. The company has officially announced that the ePrint series now supports DTF (Direct-to-Film) inks, becoming one of the first desktop printers in the industry to integrate both UV and DTF technologies into a single device. This upgrade removes long-standing functional limitations in desktop printing, enabling multi-purpose performance and expanding creative and small-studio production possibilities.
After extensive engineering work and repeated testing, LONGER’s R&D team successfully addressed the challenges traditionally associated with ink compatibility and printhead maintenance. As a result, UV and DTF printing can now operate reliably within the same system. According to LONGER, this advancement increases operational flexibility and reduces equipment investment for individual creators and small businesses.
The ePrint and ePrint SE are now available on Kickstarter, offering versatile desktop UV printing solutions. The ePrint features dual printheads with 12 channels and starts at $1,899, while the ePrint SE comes with a single printhead and 6 channels, starting at $1,499.
Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/longer3d/longer-eprint-the-worlds-1st-dual-head-personal-uv-printer?ref=8ge3hs
Technical Breakthrough: Native Support for DTF Ink Printing
Standard UV inks allow printing on rigid materials such as acrylic, metal, phone cases, wood, and leather. With the addition of DTF technology, the ePrint series can now output textile-ready designs suitable for T-shirts, apparel, and other fabric-based products. A heat press is required to transfer the printed design onto fabric, and LONGER has confirmed that its own heat-press machine will be released in the future.
This upgrade does not affect the printer’s existing UV functionality. Installation of the LONGER Cleaning Cartridge Kit enables DTF capability on the ePrint series.
DTF Upgrade Kit Includes：
Clean Ink Cartridge ×1
Heat Transfer Film (300mmx420mm) x25
DTF Ink - 6x200ml bottles (C, M, Y, K, W,W)
DTF Hot Melt Powder 250g X1
DTF Cleaning Solution 1L X1
The external cleaning cartridge provides a fully automated and thorough solution for switching between inks. After each DTF printing session, users simply connect the cleaning cartridge to flush the entire ink channel and printhead with DTF cleaning solution, ensuring that no residual ink remains.
LONGER has also introduced a new UV Cleaning Kit, which automatically performs a complete cleaning of the UV ink lines and printhead.
The UV Cleaning Kit includes:
Clean Ink Cartridge X1
UV Cleaning Solution 1L X1
What’s the Difference Between DTF and UV Printing?
- DTF (Direct-to-Film):The design is printed onto PET film, coated with hot-melt powder, cured, and then heat-pressed onto textiles and other flexible materials.
- UV DTF:UV ink is printed onto adhesive AB film, which is then cold-transferred onto hard or soft objects.
- Traditional UV Printing:UV light instantly cures ink applied directly to materials such as wood, metal, glass, acrylic, and ceramic.
DTF uses heat and powder for textile transfers, while UV and UV DTF rely on UV curing and cold transfer processes. The LONGER ePrint supports all three methods, offering a unified solution for a wide range of creative workflows.
Printhead and Ink Configuration:
ePrint (Dual-Printhead Model): In terms of ink-system architecture, the ePrint features a dual-printhead design with a total of 12 ink channels. Each printhead carries a dedicated role to balance compatibility and long-term stability. Printhead 1 (6 channels) is specifically designed for UV inks and supports a wide range of formulations, including soft UV, hard UV, embossed UV, and fluorescent UV inks—covering everything from everyday creation to professional production needs.
Printhead 2 (6 channels) is engineered as a flexible ink channel that can be configured for either UV or DTF inks. Users select the ink type during first-time setup; to ensure printhead reliability and consistent performance over time, switching to a different ink type after initial use is not recommended.
This architecture allows ePrint to achieve both stability and versatility: users can continue expanding UV-based applications or unlock a full DTF workflow, depending on their production requirements.
ePrint SE (Single-Printhead Model): The ePrint SE is equipped with a single printhead, with all 6 channels configured for UV ink.
Other Core Features and Highlights:
1. Powerful Print Engine and Automated Maintenance System
The ePrint pairs a dual-printhead architecture with a 12-channel ink system, supporting high-output speed, color flexibility, and multi-layer capability. It features an intelligent auto-cleaning system that flushes and purges the printheads without user intervention through white ink circulation. This closed-loop maintenance design is intended to help reduce clogging and support stable ink flow during extended use.
2. Beyond Traditional Flat Printing
The ePrint goes beyond traditional 2D UV printing by delivering true raised-texture results. Through precise UV layer-stacking technology, the system achieves up to 60 mm of relief height, providing layered output that can produce depth and tactile effects.
3. High-Gap and Complex Surface Printing
Both ePrint models feature an industry-leading 10 mm high-gap jetting capability, ensuring precise droplet placement even on substrates with height variations between 2-10 mm. The system continuously adjusts droplet trajectory and output parameters in real time, designed to help reduce issues such as banding, ghosting, misalignment, and overspray. This supports controlled printing on curved, cylindrical, embossed, or irregular surfaces, including cosmetic bottles, decorative packaging, and electronics housings.
4. Open Ink Architecture for Maximum Workflow Flexibility
The ePrint series adopts an open-ink system compatible with a wide range of third-party UV inks, providing studios and businesses additional flexibility in workflow and cost considerations. Users seeking maximum color accuracy can rely on LONGER’s original ink formulations, while budget-focused operations can choose compatible third-party options and fine-tune color profiles. For packaging and food-related industries, the system also supports low-migration ink options suitable for compliant label and packaging applications.
5. High Resolution and Broad Material Compatibility
With a 1,440-DPI high-resolution imaging engine, the ePrint series supports high-resolution output designed to produce detailed imaging and consistent color. It can print directly on over 300 materials, including wood, metal, acrylic, plastic, glass, ceramic, leather, canvas, stone, various films and fabrics, and even finished objects with irregular geometries.
6. AI-Enhanced Workflow Automation
LONGER has integrated a comprehensive suite of advanced AI capabilities that work seamlessly with the ePrint system, creating a fully connected workflow from design to final output and significantly improving creative efficiency. These AI-enhanced tools include image generation and recreation, template creation and background removal, text-to-logo generation, sketch-to-illustration enhancement, automated product mockups from a single photo, dual-laser auto positioning, AI auto-focus, real-time preview with correction suggestions, and batch sync with auto-fill for mass production. Together, these features streamline the entire process from initial concept to finished print.
7. Expanded Accessory Ecosystem
To meet the diverse production and creative needs of users, the ePrint series also offers a range of professional accessories:
- Rotary module: 360° cylinder printing for cups, bottles, and rounded surfaces.
- Laminator: Adds scratch-resistant, waterproof protective films with multiple finishes. Beyond protecting surfaces, it can also be used to produce transfer stickers.
- Roll-to-roll system: For leather, film, and flexible materials in continuous production.
- Conveyor belt system: Ideal for automated mass production with AI detection and batch-fill coordination, it supports extra-long objects, allowing the ePrint to handle long objects such as skateboards, signage panels, and oversized decorative pieces.
Ink Compatibility & Usage Recommendations
LONGER provides a complete range of proprietary inks, covering multiple ink types to meet standard printing needs. The ePrint also supports third-party inks, but users should note that third-party inks may differ in properties and color profiles compared to LONGER’s own inks. Proper adjustment and calibration may be required, and incorrect use could result in color variation or inconsistent print quality.
To ensure optimal printing results and maintain device stability, LONGER recommends using its proprietary inks as the first choice.
Product Specifications and Pricing
- ePrint (Dual-head, 12-channel): Starting at $1899
- ePrint SE (Single-head, 6-channel): Starting at $1499
Both models are now available on Kickstarter with exclusive options for early backers.
Conclusion
With native DTF ink printing added to its existing UV capabilities, the LONGER ePrint has evolved into a multi-material, all-in-one desktop printer capable of supporting rigid substrates, films, and textiles within a single system. This expansion allows creators to achieve broader commercial output and more diverse applications without purchasing separate machines.
Explore the full Kickstarter campaign here:
Follow LONGER’s official websites for more information.
US official website: https://www.longer3d.com/?ref=longer-fiveer-DTFPR
EU official website: https://eu.longer.net/?ref=longer-fiveer-DTFPR
Media Contact
Company Name: Longer
Contact Person: Sarai
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/longer3d/longer-eprint-the-worlds-1st-dual-head-personal-uv-printer?ref=8ge3hs
