The xTool Apparel Printer Plus looks familiar because xTool did not completely redesign its DTF platform. Instead, the Plus keeps the core printing performance of the original xTool Apparel Printer and upgrades the areas that matter most during everyday ownership: humidity control, white-ink management, printhead protection and mobile printer management.
What's the difference between xTool Apparel Printer Plus and the original Apparel Printer?
Print width, dual Epson I1600 printheads, maximum resolution, rated print speed and the OS1 print-to-bake concept remain essentially the same. The Plus adds a built-in smart humidifier, a second environmental sensor, HydraFlow™ white-ink damper, Auto Wet Capping and expanded mobile functionality. For a new buyer, the Plus is the better choice. Existing original owners may be able to add several of these care features through xTool's upgrade-kit program instead of replacing the entire printer.
xTool Apparel Printer Plus vs Apparel Printer: Quick Comparison
The easiest way to understand the Plus is to separate the printing platform from the ownership and maintenance system.
xTool kept most of the actual print-production specifications intact. The major changes are aimed at making those printheads easier to keep in a stable operating condition.
| Feature | xTool Apparel Printer Plus | Original Apparel Printer |
|---|---|---|
| DTF Print Width | 14″ / 356 mm | 14″ / 356 mm |
| Printheads | Dual Epson I1600 | Dual Epson I1600 |
| Maximum Resolution | 720 × 1800 DPI | 720 × 1800 DPI |
| Rated Print Speed | Up to 50 sq. ft./hr* | Up to 50 sq. ft./hr* |
| OS1 Print-to-Bake Workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Built-In Smart Humidifier | Standard | Not standard; upgrade option |
| Temperature & Humidity Sensors | Dual sensors | Single sensor |
| HydraFlow™ Damper | Standard | Upgrade option |
| Auto Wet Capping | Standard | Available through eligible upgrade path |
| Mobile Workflow | Expanded status, alerts, editing & printing | More limited mobile functionality |
*Manufacturer-rated maximum at 720 × 1200 DPI. Actual production varies with artwork, print settings, environment and workflow.
What Stayed the Same Between the Apparel Printer Plus and Original?
This is important: the Plus is not primarily a faster or wider printer.
The core production platform remains very similar, which explains why an existing Apparel Printer owner shouldn't automatically assume that replacing the entire machine will dramatically change basic output capacity.
Both machines are built around the same fundamental DTF proposition: print detailed color and white ink onto transfer film, finish the transfer, and heat press it onto cotton, polyester, blends and many other apparel fabrics.
Both can also work with the xTool OS1 Automatic Shaker Oven to automate powder application, shaking and curing.
Upgrade #1: Built-In Smart Humidity Management
Humidity Control Is Now Built Into the Plus
This is one of the most meaningful changes because DTF printheads and water-based inks can become more difficult to manage when the print environment becomes too dry.
The Apparel Printer Plus includes automatic humidification designed to maintain a more stable environment around the printheads. The system can detect when humidity drops and activate humidification automatically.
xTool targets approximately 45–65% humidity around the printheads with the Plus system. The important benefit isn't the number itself; it is that environmental management becomes more integrated into the printer instead of being another condition the operator has to manage entirely outside the machine.
Why this matters: if your print shop experiences dry winters, air conditioning or large seasonal humidity swings, this is likely one of the Plus upgrades you'll appreciate most.
Upgrade #2: HydraFlow™ White-Ink Management
A More Direct White-Ink Flow Path
White ink is one of the defining—and most maintenance-sensitive—parts of DTF printing. Pigment can settle, and inconsistent white-ink flow can eventually affect coverage and print quality.
The Apparel Printer Plus introduces xTool's HydraFlow™ Damper. Instead of the previous multi-channel arrangement, xTool uses an integrated damper designed to create fewer areas where white ink can settle while allowing a larger volume of ink to circulate through the system.
That doesn't make white ink maintenance disappear. It does, however, show where xTool focused the Plus redesign: reducing the conditions that can contribute to clogs and inconsistent flow rather than trying to increase basic print speed.
Upgrade #3: Auto Wet Capping
Better Printhead Protection During Standby
The Plus adds Auto Wet Capping, which uses moisturizing liquid to help keep the printhead nozzles protected and moist while the printer is inactive.
xTool says the system can automatically enter Wet Capping Mode after extended inactivity, helping reduce the chance that residual ink dries around the printhead during standby.
This works alongside the existing SmartCycle™ maintenance concept, which includes automated cleaning and white-ink circulation while the printer remains properly powered.
It is still important to understand that automated care does not make professional DTF equipment maintenance-free. Operators should continue following xTool's cleaning, environmental and consumable guidelines.
Upgrade #4: Two Environmental Sensors Instead of One
More Localized Monitoring Around the Print Zone
The Plus uses a dual-sensor environmental system, adding a dedicated temperature-and-humidity sensor closer to the printhead area.
This gives the machine more localized information about conditions where the actual printing is happening, allowing the built-in humidification system to react more precisely than a single general environmental reading.
This isn't the kind of specification that sells a printer by itself, but it supports the overall theme of the Plus: more active control over the printhead environment.
Upgrade #5: Expanded xTool Studio Mobile Features
More Printer Management From Your Phone
Both generations are part of xTool's connected software ecosystem, but the Apparel Printer Plus expands the mobile experience.
Supported Plus features include checking printer status, receiving issue alerts and sending supported print jobs within the same local network. xTool is also expanding mobile artwork and printing functionality through xTool Studio.
For a working print shop, the value is less about designing an entire production job on a phone and more about being able to see what the machine is doing without standing directly in front of it.
Does the Apparel Printer Plus Print Better or Faster?
Not in the way many shoppers might expect from a “Plus” model.
The original Apparel Printer and Apparel Printer Plus share the major specifications responsible for fundamental output:
- 14-inch print width;
- dual Epson I1600 printheads;
- up to 720 × 1800 DPI resolution;
- 3.8 pL minimum ink drop;
- CMYK + white ink configuration; and
- rated speeds up to 50 square feet per hour at 720 × 1200 DPI.
So if your original Apparel Printer is operating correctly, you shouldn't expect the Plus to suddenly double its headline print speed or give you a wider print area.
The potential quality advantage is more indirect: better humidity and white-ink management can help the printer maintain more consistent operating conditions.
Think of the Plus as a reliability-and-ownership upgrade more than a raw-performance upgrade.
Should Existing xTool Apparel Printer Owners Upgrade?
If you already own the original Apparel Printer, the answer is more nuanced than “buy the new one.”
xTool has announced an upgrade program for eligible original Apparel Printer owners that includes an Internal Humidity Module and White Ink Damper Upgrade Kit. Eligibility, availability and shipping terms should be confirmed directly with xTool for the specific machine.
Which xTool Apparel Printer Should a New Buyer Choose?
For a new purchase, choose the xTool Apparel Printer Plus.
The original model's strengths are still present—dual Epson I1600 printheads, 14-inch printing, strong DTF versatility and the OS1 automated workflow—but the Plus adds the maintenance and environmental improvements without giving up those core capabilities.
Choose Apparel Printer Plus If...
- You are buying a new xTool DTF printer today.
- You want built-in humidity management.
- You want the latest white-ink care system.
- Wet capping matters to your production workflow.
- You want the newest mobile-management capabilities.
- You want the current xTool apparel platform going forward.
Keep the Original If...
- You already own one and it is producing reliably.
- Its current speed and print quality meet your needs.
- You can add the relevant upgrade components.
- You don't need to expand production capacity yet.
- Your main reason for replacing it would only be headline specifications.
If you're evaluating the Plus as a business investment rather than simply comparing specifications, read our xTool Apparel Printer Plus review for a deeper look at maintenance, print quality, operating costs, advantages and downsides.
What About the Standalone, Versatile and All-in-1 Bundles?
The printer generation and package choice are separate decisions.
Once you've decided on the Apparel Printer Plus, you can choose between:
- Standalone: printer-focused configuration for shops with an existing finishing workflow;
- Versatile Bundle: adds the OS1 Automatic Shaker Oven for automated print-to-bake production; or
- All-in-1 Bundle: adds the OS1 plus dedicated AP2 air purification.
See current pricing and the full package breakdown in our xTool Apparel Printer Plus price and bundle guide.
Bottom Line: What Actually Changed?
xTool did not rebuild the Apparel Printer around a faster printhead, larger film size or dramatically different production format.
Instead, the Apparel Printer Plus targets the operational concerns that often matter more after someone has owned a DTF printer for a while:
- keeping humidity around the printheads more stable;
- keeping white ink circulating more effectively;
- protecting the printheads during idle periods;
- monitoring the print environment more precisely; and
- giving operators more information and control from mobile devices.
That's why we view the Plus as a refinement of an already capable printing platform rather than an entirely new class of DTF printer.
For new customers, those refinements make the Plus the clear model to buy. For existing original Apparel Printer owners, the better question is whether an upgrade kit can address the specific maintenance features you want before replacing a machine that is already producing successfully.
xTool Apparel Printer Plus vs Apparel Printer FAQ
What is the main difference between xTool Apparel Printer Plus and Apparel Printer?
Is the xTool Apparel Printer Plus faster than the original?
Does the Apparel Printer Plus have better print quality?
Does the original xTool Apparel Printer have a humidifier?
Can I upgrade my original xTool Apparel Printer?
Does the Apparel Printer Plus still need maintenance?
Do both Apparel Printers use Epson I1600 printheads?
Can both printers work with the OS1 Automatic Shaker Oven?
Should I replace my original Apparel Printer with the Plus?
Which xTool Apparel Printer should a new business buy?
Shop the Current xTool Apparel Printer Plus
Compare the Standalone, Versatile and All-in-1 configurations and choose the xTool DTF workflow that fits your print business.
