The Procolored K13 Lite vs P13 vs L805 A4: Finding the Right DTF Printer for Your Print Volume

The procolored k13 lite dtf printer sits in the middle of Procolored's lineup, offering A3 format and moderate throughput for small businesses scaling beyond entry-level machines.

Updated 10 Aug 2026 5 min read 7 sections

The procolored k13 lite dtf printer sits in the middle of Procolored’s lineup, offering A3 format and moderate throughput for small businesses scaling beyond entry-level machines.

Why Print Volume Matters When Choosing a DTF Printer

Procolored K13 Lite DTF printer for direct-to-film garment printing — Procolored k13 lite dtf printer$3,099.00Image from the merchant

Your monthly transfer count drives every hardware decision. The L805 A4 handles occasional custom orders and sampling, the procolored k13 lite dtf printer supports steady small-batch production, and the P13 tackles bulk runs for wholesale and event orders. Choosing a machine that matches your volume prevents bottlenecks and wasted capacity.

We track three thresholds:

Low volume (under 200 transfers/month): hobby shops, pop-up vendors, prototyping studios
Medium volume (200-800 transfers/month): established boutiques, small contract printers, seasonal retailers
High volume (800+ transfers/month): wholesale suppliers, large event teams, multi-press operations

Underbuying forces you into overtime and delayed orders. Overbuying locks capital in idle equipment and inflates consumable waste during slow periods.

Procolored K13 Lite DTF Printer 13 A3: Core Specifications

The K13 Lite delivers A3-width printing at 13 inches, using Epson’s I3200-A1 print head for CMYK plus white ink coverage. Independent testers confirm the Lite balances speed and detail for garment decoration, finishing typical small-batch jobs in under an hour.

Print area: 13 × 19 inches (A3+), accommodating full front-chest designs and oversized graphics
Resolution: variable quality mode up to 720 × 1440 dpi for fine detail and halftones
Ink system: separate CMYK and white channels with automated circulation to prevent settling
Workflow: RIP software included, supports Windows and basic color profiling
Footprint: compact benchtop design, roughly 28 × 20 inches, fits standard workbench setups

The procolored k13 lite software handles job queuing and nesting for multiple transfers per sheet, reducing film waste on mixed-order days.

Head-to-Head Comparison: K13 Lite vs P13 vs L805 A4

Here is how the three machines compare on paper.

Feature	L805 A4	K13 Lite A3	P13
Max Width	8.3″	13″	13″
Print Head	Modified Epson	I3200-A1	Dual I3200-A1
Best Volume	<200/mo	200-800/mo	800+/mo

The L805 A4 handles smaller designs efficiently but forces you to tile or rotate large graphics. This hands-on review shows the K13 Lite cuts print time nearly in half for full-size transfers while maintaining crisp edges and even white underbase. The P13’s dual heads double throughput again, justifying the premium only when you consistently fill its capacity.

Cost structure across models:

Procolored DTF ink for direct-to-film transfer printing — Dtf ink$229.00Image from the merchant

L805 A4: lowest upfront, highest per-print cost due to cartridge ink and limited sheet nesting
K13 Lite: moderate entry price, bulk dtf ink compatibility drops per-print cost 30-40% versus cartridge systems
P13: highest initial outlay, lowest per-print cost at scale, but requires steady volume to justify

For current pricing across the lineup, check our exclusive code for $100 off any Procolored order.

Matching the Procolored K13 Lite to Your Production Workflow

The K13 Lite shines in three scenarios we encounter regularly: small contract printers fulfilling 10-30 piece custom orders, boutique brands launching seasonal drops, and schools or makerspaces offering on-demand decoration services.

When the K13 Lite fits best:

You consistently print 15-50 transfers per session rather than one-offs
Your designs routinely exceed 10 inches in width (oversized graphics, all-over prints, back designs)
You need reliable white ink performance without daily manual purging
Your workspace accommodates A3 sheet handling but not industrial powder-cure tunnels

When to consider alternatives:

Procolored DTG printer for direct-to-garment fabric printing — Printer dtg$3,599.00Image from the merchant

Stick with the L805 A4 if 90% of your work fits standard 8×10 placement zones and volume stays under 150 monthly
Upgrade to the P13 if you’re already running the K13 Lite in shifts or outsourcing overflow to meet demand
Explore a printer dtg instead if you print single-piece orders with frequent design changes and minimal repeat runs

The procolored k13 lite print head requires weekly maintenance flushes and monthly deep cleans, manageable for small teams but more involved than cartridge swap systems.

Operating Costs and Supplies for the K13 Lite

Here is a look at typical consumable expenses across 500 transfers, to calculate true per-print costs beyond the hardware investment.

Recurring expenses per 12×16″ transfer:

DTF film (A3 sheet): $0.40-0.60 depending on bulk purchasing
Ink (CMYK + white coverage): $0.80-1.20 based on design density
Powder adhesive: $0.15-0.25 per application
Total per print: approximately $1.35-2.05 in materials

These figures assume moderate ink coverage (60-70% design fill). High-white designs like distressed textures or fine line work push ink costs toward the upper range. Third-party reviews confirm similar cost structures in real production environments.

The K13 Lite accepts third-party DTF ink, but we recommend sticking with Procolored-certified formulations during the warranty period to avoid print head clogging disputes. After the first year, tested alternatives can cut ink costs another 15-20% if you validate color profiles carefully.

Setup Considerations and Workspace Requirements

The K13 Lite arrives partially assembled and requires approximately 2-3 hours for initial setup, ink filling, and test printing. We recommend a dedicated 4×3 foot workspace with stable power and ambient temperature between 68-77°F for consistent ink flow.

Full workflow footprint:

Printer: 28 × 20 inches
Powder shaker (separate unit): 24 × 18 inches
Heat press (required for transfer application): 20 × 24 inches minimum
Ventilation: standard room exhaust adequate, no special ducting required for home/small shop use

Procolored t-shirt printer for custom apparel printing — T shirt printer$4,299.00Image from the merchant

If you’re evaluating a complete t shirt printer workflow from scratch, budget for the heat press and powder application equipment alongside the printer itself. The K13 Lite handles the digital printing phase, but finishing adds another $400-800 in essential equipment.

For businesses already running DTF and looking to scale, grab our current discount code before adding capacity. The K13 Lite integrates into existing powder-cure workflows without retrofitting your finishing station.

Which Printer Matches Your Growth Stage

We see the clearest decision framework when you map current volume against six-month projections.

Choose the L805 A4 if you’re testing DTF viability, running a side business under 150 monthly prints, or need maximum portability for pop-up events and mobile decoration services.

Choose the K13 Lite if you’ve outgrown A4 limitations, regularly print oversized designs, or project 300-600 monthly transfers within the next season. This machine grows with small businesses moving from hobby to sustainable revenue.

Choose the P13 if you’re already running multi-shift production, fulfilling wholesale contracts, or managing multiple brands that share print capacity. The dual-head speed advantage pays for itself above 800 monthly transfers in our modeling.

Procolored F8 Panda DTF printer for wide-format transfer printing — Procolored f8 panda dtf printer$5,699.00Image from the merchant

The procolored f8 panda dtf printer offers another middle-ground option with automated features for shops prioritizing unattended overnight runs, though the K13 Lite’s simpler mechanics tend to be easier to troubleshoot in lean operations.

For complete specs and to confirm the current procolored k13 dtf printer price with our exclusive discount, visit our Procolored coupon page before placing your order.

Questions

What print volume is the Procolored K13 Lite DTF printer best suited for?

The K13 Lite handles 200-800 transfers per month efficiently, making it ideal for small contract printers, boutique brands, and established custom shops scaling beyond entry-level A4 machines. Below 200 monthly prints, an L805 A4 may be more cost-effective; above 800, the dual-head P13 justifies its premium.

Can I use third-party DTF ink with the K13 Lite?

Yes, the K13 Lite accepts third-party DTF ink, but we recommend using Procolored-certified formulations during the warranty period to avoid print head disputes. After the first year, validated alternatives can reduce ink costs 15-20% if you test color profiles carefully.

How much space do I need for a complete K13 Lite DTF setup?

Plan for a 4×3 foot dedicated workspace for the printer itself, plus adjacent space for a powder shaker (24×18 inches) and heat press (20×24 inches minimum). The full workflow fits comfortably in a small shop or garage bay with standard electrical and ambient temperature control.

What is the actual cost per print on the K13 Lite?

Material costs run $1.35-2.05 per 12×16 inch transfer, including DTF film ($0.40-0.60), ink ($0.80-1.20), and powder adhesive ($0.15-0.25). High-coverage white designs push costs toward the upper range, while simple graphics stay near the lower end.

How does the K13 Lite compare to the P13 for speed?

The K13 Lite prints a 12×16 inch transfer in approximately 4 minutes, while the P13's dual print heads cut that to roughly 2 minutes. The speed advantage matters most above 800 monthly transfers; below that threshold, the K13 Lite's lower cost and simpler maintenance often make better financial sense.

Does the Procolored K13 Lite software work on Mac?

The included procolored k13 lite software officially supports Windows for RIP and job management. Mac users typically run Windows via Parallels or Boot Camp, though some third-party RIP solutions offer native Mac compatibility with I3200 print heads.