See what's new at PRINTING UnitedNew at PRINTING UnitedBooth 3268 · Las Vegas · Sept 23–25Book a demo
ContactShop — dealer and account ordering

Prestige XL3

Prestige XL3 - Operation Guide

Every step links to its own moment in the videos, so you never hunt for the right part again.

  • 44 steps
  • 245 instructions
  • 6 videos
  • 6 chapters
  • Updated 2026-02-17

Installation & setup guideThe full manual, beyond first setup. · All manuals

1. Safety Tips

  1. 0:06General Safety and Equipment Guidelines
  2. 0:37Powder Handling and End of Day Safety
  3. 1:05Personal Protective Equipment and Support
Written steps3

General Safety and Equipment Guidelines

Watch this part0:06
  1. Replace purifier filters monthly on Phoenix Air, L2 Purifier, and Miro 13 units.
  2. Replace both the HEPA filter and charcoal filter during each monthly change.
  3. Ensure proper ventilation in the workspace, even if the machine has a built-in purifier.
  4. Open a window or use a fan to maintain airflow around the equipment.

Powder Handling and End of Day Safety

Watch this part0:37
  1. Return unused powder to its bag immediately after finishing printing for the day.
  2. Seal the powder bag properly to protect it from air, moisture, and contamination.
  3. Store powder safely to reduce health risks in home and workplace environments.

Personal Protective Equipment and Support

Watch this part1:05

What you need

  • Wear gloves when handling powder or consumables.
  • Use protective eyewear during operation and maintenance.
  • Wear a face mask if additional protection is desired.
  • Contact the local dealer for material safety data sheets and product safety information.
  • Follow all dealer-provided safety documentation and guidance.

2. Pilot Software Basics

  1. 0:04Accessing the Settings Tab
  2. 0:37General Print Settings
  3. 2:06Carriage Margin Settings
  4. 2:38Media Settings
  5. 3:10Confidence Strip Settings
  6. 4:44Print Overlap Settings
  7. 5:16Ink Charge
  8. 5:49Print Settings and Color Control
  9. 6:25Ink Deepening and Mirror Print
  10. 6:55Global Ink Setting and Spot Color
  11. 8:49Completion
Written steps12

Accessing the Settings Tab

Watch this part0:04
  1. Open DTF Station Pilot.
  2. Navigate to the Settings tab before adjusting any parameters.

Suction (Printer Bed Vacuum)

  1. Locate the Suction setting.
  2. Set Suction to Off to enable vacuum only when the print head carriage moves onto the media.
  3. Avoid using Open unless constant vacuum is required.
  4. Use Off as the recommended default setting.

General Print Settings

Watch this part0:37
  1. Set Print Speed to High for fastest output or Middle for improved print quality.
  2. Adjust Print Direction: Select Birect for printing in both left and right directions.
  3. Leave Pre-Flashing set to Open to ensure ink is fired correctly before printing.
  4. Review Auto Clean settings: Close disables automatic cleaning.
  5. Note that the printer automatically pauses for cleaning after 10,000 passes.
  • Select Left or Right to print in a single direction for improved color accuracy.
  • Clean Flush performs a quick pre-flash into the capping station.
  • Clean Weak performs a standard cleaning.
  • Clean Normal increases cleaning time and pump pressure.
  • Clean Strong increases cleaning duration further.

Carriage Margin Settings

Watch this part2:06
  1. Set Carriage Margin Type to Together so the carriage moves only within the printed width.
  2. Enable Auto Reset to reset carriage width after every image.
  3. Keep Auto Reset set to Yes to prevent unnecessary carriage travel between different print widths.

Media Settings

Watch this part2:38
  1. Set Print Start Position based on media loading.
  2. Measure the distance from the carriage home position to the start of the media.
  3. Enter the measured value in millimeters, commonly around 50 mm.

Confidence Strip Settings

Watch this part3:10
  1. Enable the Confidence Strip to ensure CMYK inks remain active.
  2. Set the mode to Weaving as the minimum recommendation.
  3. Use Status to perform a nozzle check if needed.
  4. Select Weaving and Status for maximum quality if desired.
  5. Set the strip position to the right side, closest to the carriage home position.
  6. Set Strength to Normal.
  7. Set Strip Width to approximately 3 mm.
  8. Set Distance to at least 1 mm away from the print to allow clean cutting.

Print Overlap Settings

Watch this part4:44
  1. Select Overlap Mode: Light for fastest daily production.
  2. Select Overlap Type: Fog for speed.
  • Normal for higher resolution.
  • Depth for even higher resolution.
  • Super Occlusion for maximum resolution with slower speed.
  • Strong A for improved quality.

Ink Charge

Watch this part5:16
  1. Use Ink Charge when filling ink for the first time or resolving clogs.
  2. Press Ink Charge to pump ink into the waste container via the capping station.
  3. Perform ink charge periodically if the printer has been idle.

Print Settings and Color Control

Watch this part5:49
  1. Set Print Mode to CW (Color and White) as the default.
  2. Use 4C only when printing color without white.
  3. Set Color Control to Normal.
  4. Select W to print only white ink.
  5. Select Color to print only color inks.

Ink Deepening and Mirror Print

Watch this part6:25
  1. Leave Ink to Deepen turned Off by default.
  2. Enable one of the modes if prints appear lighter than expected.
  3. Keep Mirror Print disabled if mirroring is handled in DigiRIP.
  4. Enable Horizontal Mirror only if required.

Global Ink Setting and Spot Color

Watch this part6:55
  1. Enable Global Ink Setting only if increased ink density is required.
  2. Adjust Ink Setting to double white ink if needed.
  3. Be aware that doubling white ink significantly reduces print speed.
  4. Disable Global Ink Setting by resetting ink value to one and saving.
  5. Ensure Spot Color is disabled and unchecked.
  6. Click Save after any changes.

Completion

Watch this part8:49

What you need

  • Verify suction is set to Off.
  • Confirm print speed and direction match production needs.
  • Ensure confidence strip settings are correct.
  • Confirm spot color is disabled.
  • Save all settings before printing.

3. Basic Menu & Features Overview

  1. 0:00Touchscreen Wake and Common Controls
  2. 0:34Ink Charge and Head Cleaning
  3. 1:08Nozzle Check Operation
  4. 1:46Manual Carriage Movement
  5. 2:25Media and Pinch Roller Controls
  6. 3:02Pause, Resume, and Film Takeup
  7. 3:39Auto Wet Cap System
  8. 4:14Touchscreen Settings Menu
  9. 5:34White Ink Management and Safety
Written steps11

Touchscreen Wake and Common Controls

Watch this part0:00
  1. Tap the touchscreen lightly to wake it from sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity.
  2. Avoid pressing hard on the screen to prevent damage.
  3. Identify the most commonly used buttons: Ink Charge, Head Cleaning, and Nozzle Check.

Ink Charge and Head Cleaning

Watch this part0:34
  1. Tap Ink Charge to fill the print head with ink.
  2. Allow the carriage to move to the home position while the capping station pulls ink into the waste ink bottle.
  3. Tap Cancel to stop the ink charge process.
  4. Tap Head Cleaning to perform a weak head cleaning.
  5. Allow the wiper blade to clean the print head surface and drain excess ink from the capping station.

Nozzle Check Operation

Watch this part1:08

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 and multiple weak head cleanings.
  1. Tap Nozzle Check to move the carriage over the media and print a nozzle pattern.
  2. Perform a nozzle check before every print.
  3. Perform another nozzle check if the printer has been idle for 20 minutes or longer.
  4. Ensure DTF Station Pilot is open and connected to the printer.
  5. Ensure the printer cover is closed before running a nozzle check.

Manual Carriage Movement

Watch this part1:46
  1. Tap the left or right arrow once to lift the carriage from the capping station.
  2. Press and hold the arrow to slide the carriage left or right.
  3. Tap the carriage reset icon to return the carriage to the home position.
  4. Always return the carriage to home to prevent clogging.

Media and Pinch Roller Controls

Watch this part2:25
  1. Use the down arrow to advance the film.
  2. Use the up arrow to retract the film.
  3. Tap the Load/Unload Media icon to raise or lower the pinch rollers.
  4. Use the electric lever switch on the back right side of the printer when loading media from the rear.

Pause, Resume, and Film Takeup

Watch this part3:02
  1. Tap Pause to stop printing at any time.
  2. Tap Resume to continue printing or Cancel to stop the job.
  3. Set the takeup reel motor switch to: One to release film automatically based on tension.
  • Zero to turn the motor off.
  • Two to reverse the motor and retract film when unloading.

Auto Wet Cap System

Watch this part3:39
  1. Allow the printer to remain idle and parked in the home position for automatic wet cap activation after 2 hours.
  2. Ensure the cleaning solution bottle is at least half full.
  3. Refill the bottle if low to prevent air bubbles and poor nozzle checks.
  4. Manually activate the wet cap by opening the right side panel and pressing the silver auto wet cap button.

Touchscreen Settings Menu

Watch this part4:14
  1. Open the Settings panel on the touchscreen.
  2. Adjust printer bed temperature, vacuum intensity, white ink circulation, and stirring timing as needed.
  3. Monitor environment temperature and humidity.
  4. Control the internal LED light using the light on/off icon.

Heat and Vacuum Settings

  1. Enable and adjust front and back bed heaters.
  2. Ignore the middle heater option, as it is disabled on the XL2 Pro.
  3. Set bed heaters between 35°C and 45°C.
  4. Adjust vacuum intensity only if film is sliding or shifting.
  5. Use the default vacuum level of five for color prime films.

White Ink Management and Safety

Watch this part5:34
  1. Leave white ink stirring and circulation at default settings for normal operation.
  2. Increase circulation only during initial ink charge or flushing if required.
  3. Observe environment readings from the environment icon.
  4. Press the head strike sensor activation button to enable the laser safety system.
  5. Ensure the carriage stops automatically if an obstruction is detected on the print bed.

Completion

What you need

  • Touchscreen responds properly.
  • Nozzle checks print correctly.
  • Cleaning solution bottle is at least half full.
  • Heater and vacuum settings are within recommended ranges.
  • Carriage is returned to the home position.

4. How to Load & Unload Media

  1. 0:03Media Handling and Preparation
  2. 0:32Loading a New Media Roll
  3. 1:14Routing Media Into the Printer
  4. 1:45Media Tension Adjustment and Alignment
  5. 2:15Unloading the Media Roll
Written steps6

Media Handling and Preparation

Watch this part0:03
  1. Unbox the media roll.
  2. Verify that the printing side of the media is on the outside of the roll.
  3. Avoid touching the media surface with bare hands to prevent oil contamination.
  4. Handle the roll by gripping the media core only.

Loading a New Media Roll

Watch this part0:32
  1. Lift the media roll using the core.
  2. Place the left side of the roll onto the left media holder.
  3. Support the roll with the back of your hand.
  4. Bring the right media holder inward and secure the roll.
  5. Tighten the right media holder to lock the roll in place.
  6. Remove the tape securing the media if the roll is new.
  7. Set the media motor to position one until enough media feeds out to work with.

Routing Media Into the Printer

Watch this part1:14
  1. Route the media under the tension rod.
  2. Press the lever button to lift the pinch rollers.
  3. Feed the media through the back of the printer.
  4. Press the lever button again to lower the rollers and hold the media.
  5. Press the media motor to position one again to create slack.
  6. Move to the front of the printer.
  7. Press the down arrow to advance the media forward.

Media Tension Adjustment and Alignment

Watch this part1:45
  1. Hold the media with one hand.
  2. Press the lever button to release uneven tension.
  3. Press the lever button again to secure the media.
  4. Press the down arrow to advance the media further.
  5. Ensure the media covers the entire printer bed so all vacuum holes are covered.
  6. Move the media guides inward on both sides to prevent head strikes.

Unloading the Media Roll

Watch this part2:15
  1. Press position two on the media feed motor.
  2. Press the lever button to release the media.
  3. Keep one hand on the right side of the roll to ensure even rolling.
  4. Allow the roll to rewind fully.
  5. Stop the media feed motor.
  6. Tape the loose end of the media roll if tape is available.
  7. Support the roll with the back of your left hand.
  8. Loosen the right media holder and move it outward.
  9. Allow the roll to drop gently onto the two lower support bars.
  10. Grip the inner core with both hands and lift the roll out of the printer.

Completion

What you need

  • Media is handled by the core only
  • Media is routed under the tension rod
  • Vacuum holes are fully covered
  • Media guides are positioned correctly
  • Roll is removed safely without damaging the film

5. How to Send Print w/ NeoStampa

  1. 0:00Creating a New Print Job
  2. 0:52Adjusting Image Size and Layout
  3. 1:41Nesting Images
  4. 2:19Completion
Written steps6

Creating a New Print Job

Watch this part0:00
  1. Pin the Neostampa software icon to the taskbar for easy access.
  2. Open Neostampa.
  3. Click New Job.
  4. Select the printer.
  5. Select the scheme.
  6. Press OK.

Importing Images

  1. Click Add File.
  2. Select an image to import.
  3. To import multiple images, hold the Control key and select multiple files.

Adjusting Image Size and Layout

Watch this part0:52
  1. Select an image that is outside the print bounds.
  2. Use the resize controls to reduce the image size.
  3. If the image remains outside the print bounds, click the rotate icon.
  4. Resize remaining images as needed.
  5. To duplicate an image, select it.
  6. Click Copy.
  7. Click Paste.
  8. Repeat as needed.

Nesting Images

Watch this part1:41
  1. Click the Nest icon.
  2. Set the minimal separation value to 0.25 in.
  3. Press OK.
  4. Verify images are automatically aligned to minimize media waste.

Sending the Print Job

  1. Click the Print icon at the top or bottom right.
  2. In the print dialog window, verify the connection is set to TCP IP port.
  3. If not set, click Configure.
  4. Select TCP IP port as the connection.
  5. Select the job processing method.
  6. Leave the setting on Process and Send Simultaneously unless system limitations require otherwise.
  7. Click Print.

Completion

Watch this part2:19

What you need

  • Printer and scheme selected
  • Images resized and within print bounds
  • Images nested with correct separation
  • TCP IP port selected as connection
  • Job processing method verified

6. A Deep Dive into NeoStampa

  1. 0:00Importing, Modifying, and Saving Image and Job Files
  2. 2:40Understanding CPS and PRT Files
  3. 4:12Adjusting White Ink Amount and Choke
  4. 6:02Adjusting Colors
  5. 7:18Color Matching and Color Replacement
  6. 8:36Creating and Printing a Color Chart
Written steps6

Importing, Modifying, and Saving Image and Job Files

Watch this part0:00
  1. Click New Job.
  2. Select the Prestige R1 printer.
  3. Select the 720x440 scheme.
  4. Import an image using one of the following methods: Click Add File and select an image.
  5. Observe that each import method creates a new tab, representing a new job or batch.
  6. Select the first batch tab.
  7. Resize images as needed.
  8. Make copies of images as needed.
  9. Click Nesting.
  10. Set the margin to 0.25 to allow space for cutting.
  11. Click File.
  12. Click Save.
  13. Select Desktop and click Save to save the file as a CPS file.
  14. Close the first batch tab.
  15. Select the second batch tab.
  16. Import a new image.
  17. Resize and rotate the image as needed.
  18. Copy images using Ctrl + C.
  19. Paste images using Ctrl + V.
  20. Click Nesting and adjust the margin as needed.
  21. Click Print to save the job as a PRT file.
  22. Confirm the file is saved to the desktop.
  23. Close the tab.
  • Drag and drop an image from the desktop.
  • Click Open Job and select an image.

Understanding CPS and PRT Files

Watch this part2:40
  1. Locate the Saved PRT folder on the desktop.
  2. Open the folder to view the PRT file for the second batch.
  3. Note that PRT files can only be opened in DTF Station Pilot.
  4. Double click the CPS file from the first batch to reopen it in Neostampa.
  5. Verify all images are loaded.
  6. Make additional modifications if needed.
  7. Ensure the correct scheme is selected.
  8. Click Print to generate a PRT file.
  9. Verify both batches now have corresponding PRT files on the desktop.
  10. Do not move or use the PRT files until processing is complete.
  11. Attempting to open a PRT file in Neostampa will result in an error.

Adjusting White Ink Amount and Choke

Watch this part4:12
  1. Select an individual image.
  2. On the right side panel, click White Effect Layer.
  3. Under the Flat method, locate the intensity percentage.
  4. Reduce the intensity to 70 if there is too much white ink.
  5. Click Save to apply and update the default setting.
  6. To adjust globally, click the three-dot menu in the upper right.
  7. Select the correct profile next to the five-color option.
  8. Click the profile icon.
  9. Select White Ink.
  10. Click White.
  11. Increase the intensity percentage if there is too little white ink.
  12. Click OK.
  13. Adjust the Choke setting if white ink is visible on edges.
  14. Right click the unit and change it to millimeters.
  15. Set the choke value, for example 1 mm.
  16. Click OK.
  17. Click Save.
  18. Select Yes when prompted to save changes.

Adjusting Colors

Watch this part6:02
  1. Select an image.
  2. Click Color Adjustments in the upper right.
  3. Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation as needed.
  4. Preview the adjustment changes.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. Repeat for each image individually for best accuracy.
  7. Click the three-dot menu.
  8. Click Advanced.
  9. Click Input Defaults.
  10. Enable color adjustments.
  11. Adjust values as desired.
  12. Click OK.
  13. Click Save.
  14. Select Yes to apply the changes to all images.

Color Matching and Color Replacement

Watch this part7:18
  1. Select the image experiencing color inaccuracy.
  2. Click the Color Replacement icon on the left side.
  3. Select the target color, such as orange.
  4. Review the existing RGB values in the dialog box.
  5. Adjust individual RGB values, for example set R to 255.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Verify that incoming RGB values are replaced with the new values.
  8. Delete the color replacement rule if it interferes with gradients.

Creating and Printing a Color Chart

Watch this part8:36
  1. Open the Color Replacement tool again.
  2. Select the target color.
  3. Click Variations instead of manually adjusting values.
  4. Adjust the deviation settings as needed.
  5. Change the steps value to increase or decrease chart size.
  6. Adjust patch size if needed.
  7. Click OK to generate the color chart.
  8. Change the cursor to Selection mode.
  9. Rotate the chart if needed.
  10. Delete any previous images.
  11. Click Nest.
  12. Click OK.
  13. Print the color chart.
  14. Review the printed results and select the preferred RGB value.
  15. Adjust the graphic color based on the selected result.

Stuck on a step?

Our US tech team answers on Discord, and it is the fastest route to a person who knows this machine.

Get support