How to Set Up and Use the Captain Platen Kit Production

The Captain Platen Kit Production is the answer to your DTG hat printing needs! It is meant for print on unconstructed hats, and makes printing hats in a production-style setting efficient and effective! It is compatible with both Epson and Brother DTG printers, and includes the following in the Kit:

• (1)Setup Station
• (1) DTG Master Adaptor (Epson or Brother)
• (2) Captain Platen
• (1) C-Clamp

Click here to view the full product page!

Setting up the Setup Station

The Setup Station is used to load the Face Mask Platen with the apparel before placing the platen on the printer. You do not have to use it every time you load the platen, however, depending on the apparel you are printing. But, most apparel types will be most successful when loading on the Setup Station first. It makes the process quick, efficient, and effective.

1. Place the Setup Station on a flat, stable tabletop
2. Use the C-clamp to secure the Setup Station to the tabletop's surface 
3. Place the Face Mask Platen on the Setup Station by matching up the pegs on the back of the platen with the slots on the surface of the Setup Station
4. The Setup Station is ready to use!

Setting Up the Master Adaptor

The Master Adaptor is how you turn your DTG printer into a high production machine! The Master Adaptor comes in each of our DTG Kits, and has the ability to take all our specialized platens, as each one is transportable. To install the Master Adaptor:

1. Remove your DTG printer's t-shirt platen and base
2. Replace it with the Master Adaptor in the same spot
3. Adjust the platen height as necessary
   KEY TIP: We suggest always doing a height check before using the platen for the first time, and with each new apparel type to be printed on, to ensure the highest quality prints possible. We have found that on the Epson F2100, the Captain Platen typically rests at a 2 for the platen height.

Loading the Captain Platen

1. Place your Captain Platen on the Setup Station with the Top Plate closest to you and the locking bar pushed up and away from you and lock the platen in place by pushing the platen's side knobs inward.
2. Undo the back straps on the hat and slide the hat brim under the front bar.
3. Tuck the sweatband, any tags, and all inner layers underneath the Top Plate and pull the hat toward you until it is laying flat, ensure the top of the hat brim is aligned with the top of the platen and the sides of the brim are aligned with the sides of the platen.
4. Pull the hat's front panels taut and engage the locking bar by pulling it back toward you and locking it in place under the Top Plate. 
5. Tug at the sides of the front panels to get the surface as flat as possible.
6. Remove the loaded Captain Platen from the Setup Station and place it on the Master Adaptor
7. You are now ready to print on your hat!

While the first hat is printing...

1. Place the second Captain Platen on your Setup Station and load the next hat while the first one is printing
2. Once the first hat is done printing, remove the Captain Platen from the Master Adaptor and replace it on the Setup Station
3. Switch out the loaded, unprinted second Captain Platen from the Setup Station on to the Master Adaptor and send it through the printer
4. Unload the first hat and reload with a new one
5. Repeat the process and watch as your large hat orders are completed faster and more efficiently than they have ever been before!

Now that you know how to use your Captain Platen Kit, try it out with this project!

Have Questions About Your Kit? Schedule a Virtual Meeting with Us!

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