Ricoma’s 10S Panel, Vision DTG, Revel DTF & SonicJet PTM-100—What Actually Changes in a Real Production Shop

If you run a decoration shop, you already know the truth: new equipment only matters if it removes friction from your daily workflow—setup time, rework, maintenance surprises, and the little “death by a thousand taps” moments that slow production.

Ricoma’s video is a lineup reveal (DTF, DTG, pretreatment, and an embroidery control-panel upgrade), but underneath the marketing gloss there are a few very real workflow shifts worth paying attention to—especially if you’re juggling a full-time job, family life, and trying to turn garment decoration into your main income.

The calm-before-the-upgrade: what this Ricoma lineup reveal means for real shop bottlenecks (DTF/DTG/Embroidery)

The video introduces four pillars:

• Revel series DTF printers (a compact 12-inch unit with integrated shaker/dryer, and a 24-inch high-volume unit)
• Vision DTG printer (a fast DTG platform with multiple print modes and hybrid DTF capability)
• SonicJet PTM-100 pretreatment machine (enclosed, automated spraying)
• 10S Panel for Ricoma multi-needle embroidery machines (a 10.1-inch multi-touch interface with expanded memory, editing, and maintenance tracking)

If you’re primarily an embroiderer, don’t tune out because the first half is “printing.” Printing and embroidery now live in the same customer expectation: clients want fast turnaround, consistent color, and the ability to reorder without drama. The shops that win are the ones that build a repeatable workflow—then upgrade tools only where the workflow is actually constrained.

One comment in particular hits a nerve many shop owners feel: paying for a multi-thousand-dollar machine before you can even access training can leave you with an expensive “garage ornament” while you learn in stolen moments. That’s not a technical problem—it’s a ramp-up and cashflow problem. So throughout this article, I’ll keep asking the practical question: what helps you hit the ground running the week the machine arrives?

The Revel DTF-1202-TA and Revel DTF-2402-T: where DTF speed claims help (and where they don’t)

In the video, Ricoma positions the Revel DTF line as high-output, with the claim that the printers can produce “100 transfers in under an hour.” That’s a strong number—if your upstream and downstream steps are equally organized.

Here’s what the video shows and implies:

• The Revel Duo DTF-1202-TA is a 12-inch compact unit with an integrated powder shaker and dryer.
• The Revel DTF-2402-T is a 24-inch unit aimed at higher volume.
• Ricoma highlights a consumable pairing: specialized PET film + adhesive powder for softness and longevity.
  

The hidden prep that decides whether “100 transfers/hour” is real in your shop

DTF output is rarely limited by the printer alone. It’s limited by factors that rookie shop owners often overlook until the humidity spikes or the powder clumps:

• File readiness: Are your gang sheets actually optimized, or are you fighting transparency issues?
• Film Handling: Finger oils on the printing side of PET film act like resist agents—ink won't stick.
• Environment: If your shop humidity floats above 70%, powder clumps; below 40%, you get static ghosting.

The video shows the integrated shaker applying powder inside the compact unit. This automates the messy part, but it introduces a safety variable.

Warning: Adhesive powder stations contain high-heat elements and moving rollers. Never bypass safety sensors to clear a jam while the unit is running. Powder dust is combustible; ensure your shop ventilation is engaged before hitting "Start."

If you’re building a decoration business, the most profitable DTF habit is boring: standardize your film and powder handling. A clean transfer beats a fast transfer every time.

Prep Checklist (DTF readiness before you hit Print)

• Humidity Check: Is your room between 45%–60% RH? (Static kills print heads).
• Consumable Match: Verify you are using the specific PET film and adhesive powder tuned for your curing temp (usually ~120°C/248°F for powder melting).
• Nozzle Check: Run a nozzle test before the job. Look for sharp, unbroken lines.
• Static Discharge: Wipe print beds with anti-static cleaner or touch a grounded object before handling clean film.
• Shaker Level: Check adhesive powder levels. Too low = patchy coverage; too high = jams.
  

The Vision DTG printer: the 60-second promise only works if pretreatment is consistent

The video frames the Vision DTG as fast and versatile:

• It can print on dark or light garments.
• It offers three print modes: Standard, High Image Quality, and High Speed.
• It claims printing can happen in under 60 seconds.
• The workflow shown is: pretreat → load onto platen → import/load design → print.
  

What the video demonstrates (and what you should watch for)

The operator secures a shirt on the platen (Ricoma calls it the “Platinum”), loads the design from the side control panel, and the machine pulls the platen in while the print head lays down ink.

In real shops, DTG quality problems usually come from one of three places, and none of them are the printer speed itself:

1. Fibration: Loose fibers sticking up through the ink.
2. Pretreat Puddles: Excess liquid creating a glossy, washable barrier.
3. Platen Gap: Setting the print head too high creates "fuzzy" prints; too low risks a head strike.

The video also shows a maintenance interface with icons (fan filter, carriage belt, wiper blade).

That matters because maintenance is the "silent killer" of DTG profit. White ink contains Titanium Dioxide—it is heavy and settles like sediment in wine. If you don't agitate filters and lines, you get clogs.

Expert Note: When comparing workflows, count the "human touches." Every time an operator has to touch a garment to pretreat, dry, press, or load is a potential error point. This is why enclosed pretreatment is often the first "real" upgrade a shop needs.

The SonicJet PTM-100 pretreatment machine: the drawer workflow that saves your prints (and your lungs)

The video’s pretreatment segment is short but important. It shows a very specific workflow:

1. Pull out the garment drawer.
2. Lay the black t-shirt flat and remove wrinkles.
3. Push the drawer into the enclosed chamber.
4. Start the cycle on the touchscreen.

Inside, the spray nozzle travels across a rail and applies a fine mist (shown as a blue-lit spray).

Ricoma claims the SonicJet can handle up to 100 garments per hour, and emphasizes the enclosed spray area and internal filtration to reduce emissions and buildup concerns.

The “why” behind enclosed pretreatment (what experienced operators care about)

Pretreatment is essentially a glue/salt solution. If you spray it openly in your shop (or use a hand roller), it gets everywhere. It rusts adjacent machines and coats your lungs.

Furthermore, hand spraying is inconsistent. You might put 30 grams of fluid on the left side and 15 grams on the right. The result? A shirt that washes well on one side and flakes on the other.

Setup Checklist (Pretreatment setup that prevents rework)

• Fluid Compatibility: Ensure your pretreatment liquid matches your ink brand. (Mixing DuPont and Ricoma chemistry can cause focus issues).
• Gram Weight Check: Weigh a dry shirt, spray it, then weigh it again. Target roughly 18-24 grams of wet pretreat for a standard 12x12 area on dark cotton.
• Nozzle Clean: Check the spray pattern on cardstock. If it creates "spokes" or heavy droplets, clean the nozzle tip immediately.
• Heat Press Hover: After spraying, "hover" your heat press for 10-20 seconds before clamping to evaporate water without sealing the fibers flat too early.

The 10S Panel on Ricoma multi-needle embroidery machines: the upgrade that actually changes your day

For embroidery business owners, the 10S Panel is the most operationally meaningful part of the video.

Ricoma highlights:

• 10.1-inch fully responsive touchscreen
• multi-touch gestures and sliding interactions
• expanded memory: up to 100 million stitches, up to 1,000 designs, and up to 1,000 color changes
• on-screen editing: duplicate, resize, combine
• hoop selection with pre-programmed hoop sizes
• improved needle color assignment with a dynamic color sequence display
• built-in tool tips / Health Center and maintenance alerts
  

If you’ve ever had an operator freeze up at the control panel—especially when you’re trying to train someone between client calls—this kind of interface modernization can reduce “operator hesitation time.” That’s not a spec sheet metric, but it’s real money.

And yes, compatibility is key. One commenter asked if the multi-touch display is available on a 6-head; Ricoma replied that it’s “coming soon to 4+ heads with a 15” multi touch display.”

The “hidden” prep before you touch the 10S Panel (so you don’t waste your first week)

New panels don't fix old bad habits. Before you get excited about editing on-screen, understand that 90% of embroidery issues are physical, not digital.

If your ricoma embroidery machines are skipping stitches, a new touchscreen won't fix a burred needle or a poorly wound bobbin.

Sensory Check: Before powering on, run your fingernail down the groove of the needle. If it catches, throw it away. A $0.20 needle can destroy a $50 hoodie in seconds.

On-screen hoop selection (Hoop E 10.63" x 10.63"): the fastest way to prevent “design fits on screen, not on fabric” mistakes

The video shows hoop selection on the 10S Panel, including Hoop E displayed as 10.63 x 10.63 inches (also shown as 270.0 x 270.0 mm).

This feature is a Crash Prevention System. By selecting the hoop digitally, the machine knows the safe sewing field.

However, the physical act of hooping (framing) is where users fail. The most common error? "Hoop Burn"—leaving permanent ring marks on delicate fabrics because you wrestled the inner ring too tight.

Decision Tree: Fabric + Stabilizer Choice

Stop guessing. Use this logic flow to determine your foundation before you even touch the control panel.

Hidden Consumable: Always keep a can of temporary spray adhesive (like 505). A light mist on the stabilizer prevents the fabric from shifting during the hooping process.

10S Panel design editing: duplicating a badge and browsing DST thumbnails without leaving the machine

The video shows the operator entering Design Settings, tapping Duplicate to clone a badge design, and then selecting a floral design from a file browser that displays thumbnail previews.

Pro Tip: This is excellent for creating "gang sheets" of patches. However, be careful with Resizing.

• Safe Zone: +/- 10% size change.
• Danger Zone: >20% size change.

When you scale a design down significantly on the machine, stitch density increases. A logo meant for a jacket back will turn into a "bulletproof bullet hole" if shrunk to 3 inches without re-digitizing density settings.

Needle color assignment on the 10S Panel: faster setup, fewer “wrong needle” disasters

The video shows the operator opening the Needle Colors screen and tapping needle numbers (circles labeled 20, 16, 12, etc.) to assign thread colors for the design “Hamsa.DST.” The needle icons change color and the dynamic color sequence updates.

This visual confirmation is critical for new operators. But let's address the elephant in the room: Setup Time.

Assigning colors takes 30 seconds. Hooping the garment takes 2-5 minutes per shirt if you are fighting with traditional plastic hoops and screws.

If you find yourself dreading the hooping process, or if your wrists hurt after a large order, this is the trigger to upgrade your tools. Many professionals search for magnetic hoops for embroidery machines specifically to solve this bottleneck.

Warning: Magnetic Hoops Safety
Magnetic frames use industrial-strength magnets (often N52 grade). They can snap together with crushing force.
* Pinch Hazard: Keep fingers clear of the mating surface.
* Pacemakers: Users with pacemakers must maintain a safe distance (consult device manual).
* Electronics: Keep phones and credit cards at least 12 inches away.

The logic is simple: use standard hoops for learning; switch to magnetic options when you need speed and specific tension control without the "hoop burn."

The maintenance alert screen: “Oil rotary hook” and “Oil needle bar” is not optional if you want uptime

The video shows a maintenance task list on the 10S Panel that includes:

• Oil rotary hook (suggested oil: White #22 machine oil)
• Oil needle bar
  

This is the kind of feature that quietly saves businesses. In embroidery, maintenance isn't about fixing broken things; it's about preventing friction heat.

Sensory Maintenance Check:

• Sight: Look at the rotary hook. Is is shiny? Good. Is it dull or dusty? Clean it.
• Touch: Touch the needle bar (with machine OFF). Is it slightly oily? Good. Is it bone dry? Add a drop.
• Sound: Listen while it sews. A smooth "hum" is correct. A rhythmic "clack-clack-clack" usually means the rotary hook is dry or the bobbin case is hitting the retaining finger.

If you own a ricoma mt 1501 embroidery machine or similar industrial model, adhering to this digital checklist is the difference between a machine that lasts 10 years and one that fails in 2.

The “I want to upgrade yesterday” moment: how to decide between interface upgrades, hoops, and a new multi-needle machine

Ricoma replies that they accept trade-ins if you choose to upgrade. But do you need to trade within?

Here is a tiered guide to upgrading based on your pain scale:

1. Pain: "My designs are crooked."
   • Solution: Training + Leveling. Use a hooping station for machine embroidery. This ensures every shirt is hooped at the exact same chest placement, regardless of operator skill.
2. Pain: "Hooping takes too long / leaves marks."
   • Solution: Tool Upgrade. Traditional hoops are slow. magnetic embroidery hoops allow you to slide the garment in, snap the magnet, and sew. This creates a "soft" hold that protects velvet and performance wear.
3. Pain: "I have orders for 500 shirts and one machine."
   • Solution: Capacity Upgrade. This is when you look at adding heads. High-value options like SEWTECH multi-needle embroidery machines can maximize your ROI, allowing you to run production while your Ricoma handles samples or personalization.

For the home user wondering if this applies to them: Yes. We even see successful businesses start with magnetic hoops/frames for home single-needle machines, dramatically improving their result quality before they ever buy an industrial machine.

Operation Checklist (Embroidery Run Discipline)

• Bobbin Tension (The Drop Test): Hold the bobbin case by the thread. It should not unwind freely. Shake your hand gently—it should drop 1-2 inches and stop. If it drops to the floor, it's too loose.
• Hoop Clearance: Manually trace the design (or use the screen trace) to ensure the needle bar won't hit the hoop frame.
• Thread Path: Check that thread is seated in the tension discs (floss it in).
• Start Slow: Limit start speed to 600 SPM (Stitches Per Minute) for the first minute to ensure stability before ramping up to 1000.

The real takeaway: the 10S Panel is a workflow upgrade—your habits decide whether it pays off

Ricoma’s video is exciting, but the shops that profit from new gear do three unglamorous things:

1. They standardize prep (garment flatness, hoop selection, stabilizer choice).
2. They treat maintenance alerts as production insurance, not suggestions.
3. They upgrade tools where the bottleneck actually lives—often hooping mechanics rather than computer interfaces.

If you do that, the 10S Panel’s editing and maintenance tracking can genuinely reduce operator stress and increase throughput—without needing “Hollywood” editing to make it look easy.

FAQ

• Q: How do I make Ricoma Revel DTF printers actually hit “100 transfers in under an hour” without quality failures?
  A: Standardize the prep steps first, because DTF speed is usually limited by handling and environment, not the print engine.
  • Check humidity before printing and keep the room in the 45%–60% RH range to reduce static and powder issues.
  • Handle PET film by the edges and keep fingerprints off the print side because finger oils can cause ink adhesion failures.
  • Run a nozzle check before the job and only proceed when lines look sharp and unbroken.
  • Level and verify shaker powder load so coverage is even (too low = patchy, too high = jams).
  • Success check: transfers come out with even powder coverage and no “resist” patches where ink looks thin or broken.
  • If it still fails, pause and re-check film/powder match for your curing temperature and re-test after stabilizing shop humidity.
• Q: What safety precautions should operators follow when clearing a jam on a Ricoma Revel DTF printer with an integrated shaker/dryer?
  A: Do not bypass safety sensors or reach into the unit while it is running, because heat elements and moving rollers can injure operators and powder dust can be hazardous.
  • Stop the machine fully before attempting any jam clearing.
  • Engage shop ventilation before restarting because powder dust is combustible and needs proper airflow.
  • Clear powder buildup carefully and restart only after confirming the path is unobstructed.
  • Success check: the machine restarts with normal feed and no grinding/dragging sounds from rollers.
  • If it still fails, treat it as a safety/maintenance issue and follow the machine manual for shutdown and service steps.
• Q: Why does Ricoma Vision DTG printing look “fuzzy” or inconsistent even when the Ricoma Vision DTG printer claims prints in under 60 seconds?
  A: Most DTG quality issues come from fabric condition, pretreatment consistency, or platen gap—not the print speed setting.
  • Remove or reduce fibrillation (loose fibers) before printing so fibers do not rise into the ink layer.
  • Avoid pretreat puddles by applying an even amount; excess liquid can create a glossy barrier that hurts wash durability.
  • Set platen gap correctly because too high can look fuzzy and too low may risk a head strike.
  • Success check: the print edges look crisp and uniform with no glossy “wet wall” zones after curing.
  • If it still fails, review the maintenance items shown on the interface (filters/wiper/belt) because white ink systems often clog if maintenance is skipped.
• Q: How do I set up the Ricoma SonicJet PTM-100 pretreatment machine to prevent rework and uneven wash results?
  A: Control pretreat chemistry and dose, then verify spray pattern before running production.
  • Confirm pretreatment fluid compatibility with the ink system because mixing chemistries can cause print issues.
  • Weigh a dry shirt, spray it, then weigh it again and aim for roughly 18–24 grams of wet pretreat for a standard 12x12 area on dark cotton.
  • Test the nozzle spray pattern on cardstock and clean immediately if the pattern shows spokes or heavy droplets.
  • Hover a heat press for 10–20 seconds before clamping to evaporate water without sealing fibers too early.
  • Success check: the sprayed area looks evenly damp (not puddled) and prints cure without flaking on one side.
  • If it still fails, re-check gram weight and nozzle cleanliness before changing printer settings.
• Q: How do I prevent “hoop burn” and fabric ring marks when using Ricoma multi-needle embroidery machine hoops (including Hoop E 10.63" x 10.63")?
  A: Fix the physical hooping method and stabilizer choice first, because hoop burn is usually over-tensioning or poor fabric support—not a screen setting.
  • Match stabilizer to fabric: knits often need cut-away (2.5–3.0 oz), stable fabrics often use medium tear-away, and fluffy fabrics often need cut-away plus water-soluble topping.
  • Use a light mist of temporary spray adhesive on the stabilizer to reduce shifting so the hoop does not need to be over-tightened.
  • Select the correct hoop size on the control panel so the sewing field matches the real hoop and reduces placement/crash mistakes.
  • Success check: after unhooping, the fabric surface rebounds without a permanent ring and the design stays square without rippling.
  • If it still fails, reduce hoop pressure and re-check that the stabilizer is providing the structure instead of relying on hoop tightness.
• Q: What are the safety risks of magnetic embroidery hoops/frames, and how should operators handle magnetic hoops to avoid injuries?
  A: Treat magnetic hoops as pinch hazards because strong magnets can snap together with crushing force.
  • Keep fingers clear of the mating surfaces when closing the frame and guide magnets into place deliberately.
  • Keep phones and credit cards at least 12 inches away to avoid magnetic interference.
  • Maintain a safe distance if the operator uses a pacemaker and follow the device manufacturer guidance.
  • Success check: the frame closes without sudden snapping and the operator can position the garment without fighting tension screws.
  • If it still fails, slow down the handling sequence and consider operator training before using magnetic frames in high-speed production.
• Q: How do I troubleshoot skipped stitches on Ricoma multi-needle embroidery machines before relying on a Ricoma 10S Panel upgrade?
  A: Start with physical checks first because most embroidery failures are mechanical (needle, bobbin, thread path), not touchscreen-related.
  • Inspect the needle with a fingernail test along the groove and replace immediately if it catches (a damaged needle can ruin garments fast).
  • Perform the bobbin “drop test”: the bobbin case should not unwind freely; a gentle shake should drop 1–2 inches and stop.
  • Floss the thread into the tension discs to ensure the thread is seated correctly.
  • Start the first minute at a reduced speed (a safe starting point is 600 SPM) before ramping up.
  • Success check: stitches lock consistently with stable tension and the machine sound is a smooth hum rather than a rhythmic clack.
  • If it still fails, follow the maintenance alert guidance (oil rotary hook/needle bar per manual) and re-test before changing design settings.
• Q: When should a shop upgrade from training and standard hoops to magnetic hoops, or upgrade to a multi-needle machine like SEWTECH multi-needle embroidery machines?
  A: Upgrade based on the real bottleneck: accuracy issues need training, hooping pain needs tool changes, and high volume needs capacity.
  • Choose Level 1 (technique) when designs are crooked: add a hooping station to standardize placement across operators.
  • Choose Level 2 (tool) when hooping is slow or leaves marks: switch to magnetic hoops to speed loading and reduce hoop burn on delicate/performance fabrics.
  • Choose Level 3 (capacity) when one machine cannot meet order volume (e.g., hundreds of garments): add production heads so one machine can run bulk while another handles samples/personalization.
  • Success check: the upgrade removes a measurable daily choke point (fewer rehoops, fewer marked garments, more pieces/hour).
  • If it still fails, track “human touches” per garment and address the step creating the most handling errors before buying more features.