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Aries 213 - Operation Guide

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58 steps
275 instructions
6 videos
6 chapters
Updated 2026-02-17

1. Pilot Software Basics

Written steps 13

Accessing the Settings Tab

Watch this part0:04

Open DTF Station Pilot.
Select the Settings tab before making any adjustments.

Suction (Printer Bed Vacuum)

What you need

Off is the recommended setting for normal operation.

Locate the Suction setting.
Select Open to keep the vacuum on at all times.
Select Off to allow the vacuum to turn on only when the print head carriage moves onto the media.

General Settings – Print Speed and Direction

Watch this part0:37

Set Print Speed to High for fastest production.
Select Middle for improved print quality at slower speed.
Select Low if needed for troubleshooting.
Locate Print Direction.
Leave set to Birect to print while moving left and right.
Select Left or Right to print in a single direction only for higher color accuracy at slower speed.

Pre-Flashing and Auto Clean

Watch this part1:10

What you need

Auto cleaning triggers automatically after 10,000 carriage passes.

Set Pre-Flashing to Open.
Confirm pre-flashing spits ink onto the capping station cap before printing or nozzle checks.
Locate Auto Clean.
Leave Auto Clean set to Close by default.
Select Clean Flush for quick pre-flashing into caps.
Select Clean Weak for standard head cleaning.
Select Clean Normal for longer cleaning with higher pump pressure.
Select Clean Strong for extended cleaning time.

Carriage Margin Settings

Watch this part2:13

What you need

Disabling Together causes the carriage to travel full media width and slows printing.
Disabling Auto Reset causes the carriage to continue using the previous image width.

Set Type to Together.
Enable Auto Reset by selecting Yes.
Confirm the carriage limits movement to the image width.
Leave Auto Reset enabled so the carriage resets after each job.

Media Settings – Print Start Position

Watch this part2:45

Measure the distance from the print head home position to the start of the media.
Enter this value into Print Start Position.
Confirm the example value is 50 mm based on media loading.

Confidence Strip Settings

Watch this part3:21

What you need

Confidence strip prevents CMYK inks from drying during long white prints.
Printing on both sides increases carriage travel and slows printing.

Enable Confidence Strip.
Select Weaving as the minimum recommended option.
Optionally select Weaving and Status for best quality.
Set Position to the side closest to the print head home position.
Set Strength to Normal.
Set Width to 3 mm.
Set Distance to at least 1 mm away from the printed image.

Print Overlap Settings

Watch this part4:54

Select Light mode for fastest daily production.
Select Normal for higher resolution.
Select Depth for higher resolution than Normal.
Select Super Occlusion for highest resolution with slower speed.
Set Type to Fog for speed-focused output.
Set Type to Strong A for quality-focused output.

Ink Charge

Watch this part5:29

Press the Ink Charge button when filling ink for the first time.
Allow the capping station cap to rise and pump ink to the waste bucket.
Use ink charge to resolve clogging or after long periods of inactivity.

Print Settings and Color Control

Watch this part6:01

Set Print Mode to CW (Color and White).
Select 4C only when printing color without white ink.
Set Color Control to Normal.
Select W to print white ink only.
Select Color to print color inks only.
Leave Normal selected for standard jobs.

Ink to Deepen and Mirror Print

Watch this part6:40

Leave Ink to Deepen turned Off by default.
Select Mode 1, 2, or 3 to darken prints if output appears light.
Leave Mirror Print disabled if mirroring is handled in DigiRIP.
Enable horizontal mirror only if required.

Global Ink Setting and Spot Color

Watch this part7:08

What you need

Doubling white ink significantly reduces print speed.
Example speed reduction observed from 0.91 m/hour to 0.28 m/hour.
Global ink setting can be disabled by setting value back to 1.

Enable Global Ink Setting if additional ink density is required.
Open Ink Setting.
Increase white ink multiplier to double white ink output.
Observe reduced print speed when global ink is enabled.
Disable Spot Color if the enable box is checked.
Click Save after changes.

Restoring Default Global Ink Settings

Watch this part8:29

Open Global Ink Setting.
Set ink value back to 1.
Click OK.
Uncheck Enable.
Click Save to restore normal print speed.

2. Control Panel Overview

Written steps 17

Touchscreen Wake and General Use

Watch this part0:02

Tap the touchscreen lightly to wake it from sleep mode after inactivity.
Avoid pressing the screen hard to prevent damage.
Use a simple tap for all touchscreen interactions.

Primary Control Buttons Overview

Watch this part0:34

What you need

Ink Charge
Head Cleaning
Nozzle Check

Ink Charge Operation

Tap the Ink Charge button.
Allow the carriage to move to the home position.
Allow the capping station to pull ink from the print head into the waste ink bottle.
Tap Cancel to stop the ink charge process if needed.

Head Cleaning Operation

Watch this part1:06

Tap the Head Cleaning button.
Allow the printer to pull ink from the print head.
Allow the wiper blade to clean the print head surface.
Allow excess ink to drain from the capping station.

Nozzle Check Operation

What you need

Perform a nozzle check before every print.
Perform another nozzle check if printing is paused for 20 minutes or longer.
Pilot software must be open and connected.
Printer cover must be closed.

Tap the Nozzle Check button.
Allow the carriage to move over the media.
Allow the printer to print the nozzle check pattern.

Nozzle Check Pattern Verification

Watch this part1:38

What you need

A good nozzle check shows small horizontal dots forming a solid square.
If lines are missing or broken:
Perform an ink charge.
Perform several weak head cleanings.
Repeat the nozzle check until the pattern is correct.

Manual Carriage Movement

Watch this part2:10

What you need

Always return the print heads to the home position to prevent clogging.

Tap the Left or Right arrow once to lift the carriage from the capping station.
Press and hold the arrow to slide the carriage left or right.
Tap the Carriage Reset icon to return the carriage to the home position.

Film Movement Controls

What you need

Use caution when retracting film to prevent bunching on the heating roller.

Press and hold the Down arrow to advance the film forward.
Press and hold the Up arrow to retract the film.

Internal LED Light Control

Watch this part2:48

Tap the Light On/Off icon to control the internal LED light.

Settings Panel Overview

What you need

Printer bed temperature
Printer bed vacuum intensity
White ink circulation and stirring timing
Environment temperature and humidity

Heat Settings

Watch this part3:00

What you need

Recommended heater temperature range is 30°C to 45°C.

Open the Heat Settings menu.
Enable or adjust the front bed heater.
Enable or adjust the back bed heater.
Ignore the middle heater option as it is disabled.

Vacuum Settings

Watch this part3:23

What you need

Default vacuum setting is 5 for color prime films.
Increase vacuum only if film slides or shifts.

Open the Vacuum Settings menu.
Adjust the vacuum intensity as needed.

White Ink Management

What you need

Adjust white ink circulation only during initial ink charge or flushing.

Open the White Ink Management menu.
Leave stirring and circulation settings at default.

Environment Monitoring

What you need

Environment icon displays current room temperature.
Environment icon displays current room humidity.

Air Purification System

Watch this part4:00

What you need

Default air purifier intensity is set to 60%.

Press the Air Purifier button to turn the system on or off.
Use the knob next to the power button to adjust fan intensity.

Pause and Cancel Printing

Tap the Pause icon to pause printing.
Tap Resume to continue the print job.
Tap Cancel to stop the print job entirely.
Tap the Cancel icon at any time to cancel the current print.

Completion

Watch this part4:39

What you need

All basic touchscreen functions for the Aries 213 UV DTF printer have been reviewed.

3. How to Load Media and Set Proper Tension

Written steps 11

Required Materials and System Overview

Watch this part0:02

What you need

A film
B laminating film
Blade
Tape

Printer Media System Overview

What you need

Two motorized takeup reels
Two non-motorized media feeding systems

Load B Film (Laminating Film)

Watch this part0:36

Open the printer cover.
Rotate the black sleeves on both the left and right sides until the grooves are visible.
Remove the media feeding rod from the printer using the grooves.
Slide the rod through the B film roll core.
Verify the B film unrolls from the bottom and rotate the roll if necessary.
Insert the right side of the rod into the stationary groove.
Rotate the left black handle knob to align the rod with the groove.
Place the rod fully into position.
Rotate the black sleeves to lock the rod in place.
Turn the black handle knob counterclockwise to loosen tension so the B film can roll freely.

Vacuum and Reel Preparation

Watch this part1:44

Verify the vacuum is turned on.
Set vacuum intensity between 4 and 6 depending on film thickness.
Turn both reel tension knobs counterclockwise to loosen them.

Load A Film (Print Film)

Verify the A film unrolls from the top.
Turn the black knobs counterclockwise to unlock and move the feeding reels outward.
Lock the left feeding reel in place.
Slide the A film roll into the left reel.
Confirm the film still unrolls from the top.
Bring the right reel inward until snug against the roll.
Lock the right reel by turning the black knob.
Unroll the A film.
Guide the film under the large rod.
Feed the film onto the printer bed and vacuum platen.

Feed Film to Heating Roller

Watch this part2:48

Move to the front of the printer.
Disengage the heating roller by turning the knob on the right side.
Pull additional A film forward.
Feed the film through the gap until it overlaps with the B film.
Check that the film is centered.
Adjust the A film position from the feeding reels if needed.
Re-engage the heating roller by turning the same knob.

Remove Protective Layer and Route Film

Watch this part3:21

Identify the protective top layer on the A film.
Use a blade to carefully score the protective layer.
Peel off the protective layer.
Push the peeled protective film toward the back of the printer.
Feed the protective film underneath the lower takeup reel.
Route the film over the two rods.
Attach the film to the takeup core.

Secure Protective Film Takeup

Watch this part4:25

Loosen the black knob on the takeup motor to center the reel.
Tape the protective film to the takeup core.
Tighten the black knob to lock the reel in place.
Turn the reel tension knob counterclockwise until the spring mechanism is visible.
Switch the motor to position one to start the takeup reel.

Laminate A and B Films

Watch this part5:10

What you need

B film may not fully cover A film
Approximately 0.25 inches on the edge has no adhesive

Pull the B film forward until it reaches the adhesive layer of the A film.
Center the B film over the A film.
Press the B film down to adhere it.
Press and hold the down button on the touchscreen to slowly advance the film through the heating roller.
Gently pull the A film downward by hand to prevent bunching.
Support the heating roller as the film advances.
Center the front takeup reel to the combined film.
Loosen the black knob on the motor.
Switch the motor to position two.

Tension Adjustment Guidelines

Watch this part6:26

What you need

Front takeup reel tension must be balanced and not too tight
Excess tension can cause slipping, bunching, heating roller wear, or poor print quality
B film feeding rod tension should remain low
Excess B film tension can cause uneven lamination or head strikes
Protective film takeup tension should remain low
Excess tension can pull A film when the printer is idle
A film feeding system should not be overly tight to prevent heating roller stress and film shifting

Final Notes on Tension Adjustment

Watch this part7:08

What you need

Adjust tension gradually while observing film behavior
No exact tension setting applies to all films
Tension may vary by film type and printer
Micro-adjust as needed to maintain smooth operation

4. How to Send Prints with NeoStampa

Written steps 5

Prepare Neostampa and Create a New Job

Watch this part0:00

Pin the Neostampa software icon to the taskbar for easy access.
Open Neostampa.
Click New Job.
Select the printer.
Select the desired scheme.
Press OK.

Import Images

Click Add File.
Select one or multiple images to import.
To import multiple images, hold the Control key while selecting files.

Resize, Rotate, and Duplicate Images

Watch this part0:52

Select an image that is too large.
Adjust the size using the resize controls.
If the image remains outside the print bounds, rotate it using the rotate icon.
Resize remaining images as needed.
To duplicate an image, select it.
Click Copy.
Click Paste.
Repeat as needed.

Nest Images

Watch this part1:41

Click the Nest icon.
Set Minimal Separation to 0.25 inches.
Press OK.
Verify images are automatically aligned to minimize media waste.

Configure Print Settings and Send Job

Watch this part2:19

Click the Print icon at the top or bottom right.
In the print dialog window, verify the connection is set to TCP IP port.
If TCP IP port is not selected, click Configure.
Select TCP IP port as the connection.
Select the desired job processing method.
Leave the setting on Process and Send Simultaneously if system performance allows.
Click Print.

5. How to Apply Finished Printed Transfer to a Surface

Written steps 6

Required Supplies

Watch this part0:02

What you need

Mug
UVDTF transfer
Squeegee or scraper
Mug holder jig (not included with the printer)
Blade
Isopropyl alcohol or lint-free cloth
Optional anti-static solution

Prepare the Printed Transfer

Wait for the printer to finish printing.
Press the down button until the printed transfers pass through the front heating roller.
Turn off the printer takeup function.
Use a blade to separate the printed transfers from the printer.

Prepare the Mug

Watch this part0:34

Place the mug securely into the mug holder jig.
Wipe the mug surface with isopropyl alcohol or a lint-free cloth to remove dust and debris.
If working in a dry environment, lightly apply anti-static solution to reduce static cling.

Remove the A Film

Watch this part1:10

What you need

If the design lifts with the A film, increase the UV varnish layer.
Verify the heating roller properly sealed the transfer and fused the A and B films.

Peel away the bottom A film, which is the adhesive layer.
Confirm the printed design remains on the B film, the laminating layer.

Position the Transfer on the Mug

Position the B film with the printed transfer onto the mug surface.
Use a laser tool or paper guide to mark alignment if precise placement is required.
Depending on transfer size, begin application from the center or from one edge.
Slowly press the transfer onto the mug to avoid air bubbles or misalignment.

Secure and Finish the Transfer

Watch this part1:47

What you need

Once the UV transfer adheres, it cannot be repositioned.
If issues occur, contact DTF Station technical support for assistance.

Use a scraper or squeegee to press firmly from the center outward to ensure even adhesion.
Keep the corners of the B film slightly lifted to make removal easier.
Slowly peel off the B film starting from one corner.

6. A Deep Dive into NeoStampa

Written steps 6

Importing, Modifying, and Saving Image and Job Files

Watch this part0:00

What you need

CPS files can only be opened in Neostampa
PRT files can only be opened in DTF Station Pilot
Do not move or use PRT files until processing is complete
Ensure the correct scheme is selected when reopening CPS files

Click New Job.
Select the Prestige R1 printer.
Select the 720x440 scheme.
Click OK.
Import an image using one of the following methods: Click Add File and select an image.
Confirm a new tab is created for each imported job or batch.
Select the first batch tab.
Resize images as needed.
Make copies of images as needed.
Click Nesting.
Set the nesting margin to 0.25 to allow space for cutting.
Click File.
Click Save.
Select Desktop as the save location.
Save the file as a CPS file.
Close the first batch tab.
Select the second batch tab.
Import a new image.
Resize and rotate the image.
Use Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste copies as needed.
Click Nesting and adjust the margin if required.
Click Print instead of Save.
Confirm the file is saved as a PRT file to the desktop.
Close the second batch tab.

Drag and drop an image from the desktop into Neostampa.
Click Open Job and select an image file.

Reopening CPS Files and Creating PRT Files

Watch this part3:32

Double click the saved CPS file on the desktop.
Confirm Neostampa opens with all images loaded.
Make additional modifications if needed.
Verify the correct scheme is selected.
Click Print to generate a PRT file.
Confirm PRT files are created for each batch.
Do not attempt to open PRT files in Neostampa.

Adjusting White Ink Amount and Choke

Watch this part4:12

What you need

Changes apply to all images
Saving is optional but recommended

Select an image.
On the right-hand side, click White Effect Layer.
Under Flat method, locate the intensity percentage.
Reduce intensity (example: set to 70) if white ink is too heavy.
Click Save.
Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
Select the correct profile next to the five-color option.
Click the profile icon.
Select White Ink.
Click White.
Increase intensity if white ink is too light.
Click OK.
Adjust the choke if white ink is visible on edges.
Right-click the choke value and change units to millimeters.
Adjust the choke value (example: set to 1 mm).
Click OK.
Click Save.
Select Yes when prompted to save changes.

Adjusting Color Settings

Watch this part6:02

What you need

Color adjustments apply one image at a time
Saving input defaults applies changes to all loaded images

Select an image.
Click Color Adjustments in the upper-right corner.
Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation as needed.
Preview adjustment changes.
Click Apply.
Click the three-dot menu.
Click Advanced.
Click Input Defaults.
Enable color adjustments.
Adjust values as desired.
Click OK.
Click Save.
Select Yes when prompted.

Color Matching Using Color Replacement

Watch this part7:18

Select the image with inaccurate color.
Click the Color Replacement icon on the left-hand side.
Select the target color (example: orange).
Review the existing RGB values.
Adjust RGB values as needed (example: set R to 255).
Click OK to apply the replacement.
Confirm the new RGB output is applied.
Delete the color replacement if it affects gradients.

Printing a Color Chart for Accurate Matching

Watch this part8:36

What you need

Larger step values create larger charts
Smaller patches can be created by adjusting variation settings

Click the Color Replacement tool.
Select the target color again.
Click Variations.
Adjust deviation and step values as needed.
Click OK to generate the color chart.
Change the cursor to Selection mode.
Rotate the chart if needed.
Delete previous images.
Click Nest.
Click OK.
Print the color chart.
Identify the preferred RGB value.
Adjust the graphic color accordingly.

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