Prestige XL2 Pro Quick Start Guide

Once you have the dongle:

1. Refer to your Quick Start Guide for instructions on registering your software
2. Registration is completed through Discord
3. The serial number required for registration is printed on the physical dongle
4. Use the DTF Station YouTube channel for step by step Neosta tutorials and updates SECTION 2 Locating the Quick Start Guide and Resources The Quick Start Guide contains links and QR codes to all required setup resources. To locate it:
5. Find the USB drive included with your printer
6. Open the USB drive and locate the Quick Start Guide PDF If the USB drive is missing or incomplete: Check the email you received from the dealer where the printer was purchased Accessing the guide:
7. Double click the Quick Start Guide PDF file
8. Click on “Important Resources”
9. Download the PDF
10. Save a copy to your desktop or another easy to access location About the Quick Start Guide: It is a single page PDF

• This dongle is the software key required to open and print from Neosta
• Do not throw this away
• If the dongle is lost or discarded, printing will not be possible
• Replacement of a lost dongle is the customer’s responsibility
• That email contains the most up to date Quick Start Guide URL link
• Contains QR codes and direct links to videos, software, and documentation
• Designed to help you get set up efficiently and correctly

Safety notes: SECTION 2 Uncrating the Printer

1. Use pliers and a flat screwdriver to lift all metal prongs around the crate
2. Once all prongs are lifted, use a flat screwdriver to separate the top lid
3. Remove the remaining crate panels one by one
4. Remove and discard the moisture absorbing material inside the crate
5. Cut and remove zip ties securing accessories and parts
6. Remove screws securing the printer to the crate base
7. Remove the metal crossbar
8. Remove all plastic wrap from the printer and accessories
9. Verify all parts are present SECTION 3 Assembling the Support Stand
10. Insert each support leg into its corresponding foot piece
11. Align holes and loosely secure using bolts
12. Repeat for the opposite leg
13. Do not fully tighten bolts until all required bolts are installed
14. Attach the front crossbar between the legs
15. Secure with bolts on both exterior and interior sides
16. Tighten all bolts
17. Rotate the assembly so the back faces upward
18. Attach the rear crossbar using the same bolt pattern
19. Stand the assembly upright SECTION 4 Installing the Tension Rod
20. Attach the two tension rod brackets to the back of the stand
21. Do not tighten bolts yet
22. Insert the tension rod into both brackets
23. Slide brackets outward so the rod sits correctly
24. Align brackets straight with the legs
25. Tighten bolts
26. Confirm the tension rod moves freely up and down SECTION 5 Mounting the Printer
27. With at least two people, lift the printer onto the stand
28. Align the bottom pins with the holes on the stand
29. Remove metal plates that secured the printer to the crate
30. Secure the printer to the stand using four screws per leg SECTION 6 Installing Holders and Feed Reel
31. Install the cleaning solution bottle holder under the R side
32. Install the waste tank holder on the back right side
33. Place the waste tank into the holder
34. Install the feed reel brackets on the back of the printer
35. Insert the feed reel crossbar and secure
36. Mount the feed reel assembly to the printer
37. Remove all zip ties and packaging
38. Install the media sensor SECTION 7 Ink Container and Tubing Installation
39. Remove the rear ink bay panel
40. Slide the ink container into position
41. Route and connect electrical cables correctly
42. Connect ink tubes securely
43. Ensure white ink circulation tube is connected to the pump
44. Reinstall the ink bay panel carefully SECTION 8 Waste Ink and Cleaning Solution Setup
45. Install the waste ink tube and secure with screws
46. Cut the tube so it reaches into the waste tank without touching ink
47. Cut the tube at an angle
48. Test the waste tank level sensor
49. Route remaining tubes into the waste system
50. Prepare the cleaning solution bottle
51. Place the bottle into its holder
52. Close side panels SECTION 9 Final Positioning and Optional Accessories
53. Position the printer in its final location
54. Adjust leveling feet until firmly touching the floor
55. Install foot caps
56. Connect the power cable
57. Connect the Ethernet cable to the computer
58. Remove all remaining tape from the printer Optional accessories: Monitor arm Install these only if needed. SECTION 10 Releasing the Carriage Lock
59. Open the front lid
60. Remove the L bracket using an Allen wrench
61. Store the bracket safely for future transport
62. Remove all internal tape SECTION 11 Power On and Software Preparation For US customers: Stop here and wait for on-site training For technicians:
63. Plug in and power on the printer
64. Release emergency stop buttons
65. Wait for status to show Idle
66. Allow the carriage to dock on the capping station SECTION 12 Pilot Software Installation and Network Setup System requirements: Windows 11 or newer
67. Open the Quick Start Guide PDF
68. Download the Prestige XL2 Pilot software
69. Run the installer and complete setup
70. Rename the Pilot icon to XL2
71. Connect the printer via Ethernet
72. Configure network settings in Pilot
73. Assign a local IP address
74. Confirm green connection indicators SECTION 13 Ink Filling and Ink Charge
75. Shake all ink bottles
76. Let inks settle for 10 to 20 minutes
77. Fill ink containers
78. Open ink valves carefully
79. Watch for abnormal ink flow
80. Power off the printer SECTION 14 Priming Dampers and Ink Charge
81. Remove the carriage cover
82. Remove dampers carefully
83. Use a syringe to pull ink through each damper
84. Reinstall dampers correctly
85. Power on the printer
86. Run ink charge for 30 to 45 seconds
87. Perform two head cleanings
88. Wait for Idle status between cleanings SECTION 15 Media Loading and Print Start Position
89. Load media onto feed reel
90. Route under the tension rod
91. Raise tension rod fully
92. Feed media into printer
93. Secure pinch rollers
94. Adjust media guides lightly
95. Power on feed reel
96. Set print start position
97. Run a nozzle check SECTION 16 Final Steps
98. Reinstall the carriage cover
99. Secure with six screws
100. Proceed to DigiRip installation video

• Pliers
• Flat screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Allen wrench
• Scissors
• Always wear work gloves when uncrating to avoid sharp metal edges
• Keep the shipping crate for at least 60 days for warranty purposes
• If any items are missing, contact DTF Station customer support immediately
• Ensure the L and R markings face the front
• Sensor must face the back of the printer
• Adjust position about half an inch from the bar
• Tubes must fully cover silver nozzles
• Do not pinch or sharply bend tubing
• Create a hole in the cap
• Insert the tube to the bottom
• Computer tower holder
• Keyboard tray
• Ensure inks, film, and powder are available
• Intel i5 or i7 CPU, 2.6 GHz or higher
• Minimum 8 GB RAM
• 500 GB free storage
• SSD recommended
• Ethernet connection required
• All digits must match server IP except the last two
• Do not use 10
• Shake white ink for at least 1 minute
• Measure from last pinch roller
• Convert to millimeters in Pilot
• Confirm no missing nozzles

1. Note that this setup uses footage from Prestige R1 and XL2, but the process is the same.
2. Confirm the computer is a PC and not a Mac or tablet PC.
3. Verify the computer is not a Microsoft Surface Pro, as it may not be compatible.
4. Ensure the operating system is Windows 11 or later.
5. Verify the CPU is at least an i5 or i7 with a minimum speed of 2.6 GHz.
6. Confirm there is at least 500 GB of free storage.
7. Use an SSD instead of an HDD if purchasing a new computer.
8. Ensure the computer has at least 8 GB of RAM.
9. Verify an Ethernet port is available or obtain an Ethernet adapter if using a laptop.

1. Locate the USB thumb drive provided with the printer or obtain the quick start guide PDF from the dealer.
2. Double click the quick start guide PDF file.
3. Click Important Resources.
4. Download DTF Station Pilot.
5. Locate the serial number sticker on the printer.
6. If the printer was manufactured before December 2024, verify with DTF Station technicians whether a motherboard and firmware upgrade is required.
7. If required, open the DTF Station Pilot program upgrade folder.
8. Download the motherboard upgrade package and firmware configuration files.
9. Temporarily disable antivirus software or whitelist the installer if blocked.
10. Confirm the files are present in the Downloads folder.
11. Verify the Ethernet cable connection between the printer and computer.

1. Double click the downloaded.exe installation file.
2. Accept the license terms.
3. Install Microsoft Visual C++ and any additional required software packages.
4. Monitor the taskbar for hidden pop-up installers if the installation appears paused.
5. Wait for installation to complete.
6. Rename the DTF Station Pilot desktop icon to R1.
7. Double click the icon to open DTF Station Pilot.
8. Observe the connection symbol on the left and the light bulb symbol on the right.
9. Note that a blinking red connection symbol indicates no communication with the printer.
10. Click the light bulb symbol to open the log tab if errors are present.

1. Connect the Ethernet cable between the printer and the computer.
2. Turn the printer power on.
3. Click the Windows Start menu and type Ethernet.
4. Open Ethernet settings.
5. Identify the active Ethernet connection labeled as an unidentified network.
6. Click Change adapter options.
7. Disconnect the Ethernet cable and observe which adapter disconnects.
8. Reconnect the Ethernet cable to confirm the correct adapter.
9. Return to DTF Station Pilot.
10. Click the Advanced tab.
11. Click Admin Menu.
12. Select Network.
13. Choose the correct Ethernet connection from the drop-down menu.
14. Enter a local IP address that matches the server IP except for the last two digits.
15. Use an IP such as 192.168.127.16 and avoid using 10 as the last two digits.
16. Click Set, then click OK.
17. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the parameters to load.
18. Confirm both the connection symbol and light bulb symbol turn green.

1. If a failed to load parameters error appears, update the motherboard and firmware.
2. If the connection symbol does not turn green, replace the Ethernet cable.
3. Try a different Ethernet adapter if applicable.
4. Retry with a different IP address such as 17 or 18 for the last two digits.
5. Contact DTF Station support if issues persist.

1. Navigate to the last main tab on the right side of the software.
2. Click the last subtab within that section.
3. Select the first available icon to connect the printer.
4. Choose the correct Ethernet port from the drop-down menu.
5. Enter an IP address such as 192.168.127.58, avoiding 10 as the last two digits.
6. Click the save button on the left.
7. Click OK.
8. Close the pop-up window.
9. Wait for the solid green connection indicator.
10. Click the second button from the top.
11. Select English from the language drop-down menu.
12. Click the button on the right.
13. Click OK.
14. Close DTF Station Pilot.
15. Reopen the software.
16. Confirm the interface displays in English.

1. Open DTF Station Pilot.
2. Navigate to the settings tab.
3. Match all settings shown in the video exactly.
4. Ensure the Spot Color option is unchecked.
5. Adjust the print start position based on how the film is loaded.
6. Measure the distance from the left side to the start of the film.
7. Set the print start position typically between 50 and 70 if the film is centered.
8. Click Save.
9. Press the Home button to confirm the printer carriage returns to the home position.
10. Right click the Pilot icon in the taskbar.
11. Select Pin to taskbar.
12. Close the Pilot program.
13. Reopen the Pilot program to confirm the connection remains stable.

1. Verify the quick start guide PDF is available.
2. If the quick start guide PDF is missing, request it from the dealer.
3. Double click the quick start guide PDF.
4. Allow the PDF to open in the internet browser.
5. Scroll down in the PDF.
6. Click Importing Resources.
7. Open the Neosta folder.
8. Locate the R2 Pro option at the bottom of the list.
9. Click Download.
10. Click Download again to confirm.
11. Wait for the Neosta installer to finish downloading.
12. Double click the downloaded installer file.
13. Select the desired language.
14. Click OK.
15. Accept the license agreement.
16. Click Next.
17. Click Next again.
18. Click Install.
19. Wait for the installation to complete, which should take no more than 10 minutes.
20. Click Finish.

1. Insert the Neosta dongle into the computer.
2. Confirm the dongle indicator light turns green.
3. Open Neosta Delta.
4. Click Yes on any system prompts.
5. Wait for Neosta to load if launching for the first time.
6. Enter account details in the dongle registration window.
7. Click Continue.
8. Check the email inbox for a verification code from neostampa or inedit.com.
9. Enter the verification code.
10. Click Continue.
11. Enter printer details.
12. Select Prestige R2 Pro.
13. Add Prestige XL2 if applicable.
14. Click Request Trial.
15. Confirm the software displays a successful activation message.
16. If activation fails, remove all USB devices except the dongle.
17. Restart the computer.
18. Reopen Neosta and retry activation.
19. Click Continue Trial.
20. Click OK.
21. In the printer driver dialog box, click Add.
22. Select DTF Station.
23. Choose the correct printer driver.
24. Click Install.
25. Click OK.
26. Select TCP IP port as the connection type.
27. Click Close.
28. Click Help.
29. Click Activation Keys to confirm the license is valid.
30. Click Info to confirm the dongle is active and view the expiration date.

1. Open the quick start guide.
2. Scan or click the Important Resources QR code.
3. Open Neosta.
4. Select the printer model.
5. Choose Prestige R2 Pro.
6. Review available print modes.
7. Download the 720 x 1800 print mode.
8. Download the 720 x 2400 print mode.
9. Open the Downloads folder.
10. Right click the downloaded file.
11. Select Extract All.
12. Move the extracted folder to the desktop.
13. Repeat extraction for additional print modes.
14. Close all open windows.
15. Open Neosta.
16. Click New Job.
17. Select DTGDTF as the document type.
18. Select the printer.
19. Click OK when no scheme is available.
20. Click the three dot icon to open Scheme Manager.
21. Click Add.
22. Navigate to the Downloads folder.
23. Open the 720 x 1800 folder.
24. Open the subfolder.
25. Double click the CPS file.
26. Select the imported scheme.
27. If a Printing Mode Not Supported error appears, continue with configuration.
28. Select Five Color mode.
29. Select quality 720 x 800.
30. Ignore pass settings.
31. Open Mode Colors.
32. Change the orange color to white.
33. Click OK.
34. Click Save.
35. Click Yes.
36. Repeat steps to import the 720 x 2400 scheme.
37. Verify both schemes appear and are selectable.

1. Click New Job.
2. Select the printer and desired scheme.
3. Click OK.
4. Verify the media width under predefined sizes.
5. Right click the media width if unit changes are required.
6. Set media width to 13 inches.
7. Leave media length unchecked.
8. Leave margins unchecked.
9. Click New to add a media profile.
10. Enter a media name.
11. Change the media color RGB values to 105.
12. Confirm the background displays as charcoal gray.
13. Click New to add additional media profiles if needed.
14. Rename each media profile appropriately.
15. Double click the Control Center icon.
16. Open Preferences if printers or schemes are not visible.
17. Set the correct currency.
18. Set measurement units as needed.
19. Set decimal precision to two.
20. Under Services, click Check Status on both services.
21. Click Data Sources.
22. Enter 127.0.0.1:27001 if not already present.
23. Click Add.
24. Confirm the data source is active.
25. Click Consumables.
26. Select the printer.
27. Open the Materials tab.
28. Select the correct film.
29. Set the width to 13 inches.
30. Uncheck Roll if adjusting length manually.
31. Set length to 109 yards or 100 meters.
32. Enter the material cost.
33. Click Save.
34. Import an image using Add File or drag and drop.
35. Duplicate images as needed.
36. Verify the connection is set to TCP.
37. Click Nesting.
38. Set margins to 0.25.
39. Center images using the alignment tools.
40. Click Print.
41. Return to Control Center.
42. Open Consumables.
43. Open the Inks tab.
44. Select all inks.
45. Click Add Price.
46. Enter ink cost.
47. Apply to all.
48. Click Save.
49. Review print history and job records.
50. Adjust media selection if costs show zero.
51. Reprint the job.
52. Verify total job costs populate correctly.
53. Customize print history columns if needed.
54. Export print records as Excel or text files if required.

1. Confirm the printer is fully set up before beginning calibration.
2. Identify the need for calibration if prints appear blurry, fuzzy, show poor image quality, or banding.
3. Prepare a magnifying glass or handheld microscope for best accuracy.
4. If unavailable, use a cell phone camera for step, head, and bidirectional calibration.
5. Use a microscope or magnifying glass specifically for channel calibration when possible.
6. Follow along with the video during calibration, as the process can be difficult.

1. Locate the cover sensor on the printer.
2. Place a magnet or piece of metal on the sensor as shown in the video to bypass it.
3. Confirm the printer can operate with the cover open.

1. Open the DTF Station Pilot program.
2. Set the correct print start position.
3. Run a nozzle check.
4. If the printer has been idle for more than 20 minutes, perform two head cleanings.
5. Run the nozzle check again after cleaning.

1. Navigate to the Calibration tab in the Pilot program.
2. Select the Step Calibration subtab.
3. Click Test Print to begin step calibration.
4. Observe the horizontal black lines printed from the left and right sides.
5. Review the numbers below the lines, ranging from -4 to +5.

1. Identify the number where the two lines overlap into one solid black line.
2. Note that the best value is usually -1, 0, or +1.
3. Enter the selected value into the Pilot program.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click Test Print again to verify results.
6. Confirm the best overlap now aligns at 0.
7. Click Save to complete step calibration.

1. Confirm the printer uses multiple print heads.
2. Skip this procedure if using a single-head printer and proceed to channel calibration.
3. Understand that head calibration aligns multiple print heads for consistent print quality.
4. Prepare a magnifying glass or handheld microscope for best accuracy.
5. Use a phone camera if magnification tools are unavailable.
6. Note that head calibration consists of three steps: Left horizontal

• Right horizontal
• Vertical

1. Identify H1 as the first print head that sprays ink onto the film.
2. Identify H2 as the second print head.
3. Treat H1 as the fixed reference point during calibration.
4. Adjust only H2 to match H1’s spray pattern.
5. In this example, CMYK is H1 and White is H2.

1. Open the Head Calibration tab in the software.
2. Click Test Print next to Left Distance.
3. Observe the printer carriage moving left to spray patterns.
4. Confirm the carriage does not spray when returning right.
5. Examine the test print showing black rectangles overlaid with white rectangles labeled from -12 to +12.
6. Identify the number where the white rectangle fully covers the black rectangle.
7. Add the identified value to the current H2 value.
8. Enter the updated H2 value into the software.
9. Click Save.
10. Run another test print to confirm results.

1. Click Test Print next to Right Distance.
2. Observe the printer carriage moving left without spraying.
3. Confirm spraying occurs only when the carriage returns right.
4. Examine the test print patterns.
5. Identify the number where the white rectangle fully covers the black rectangle.
6. Subtract the identified value from the current H2 value.
7. Enter the updated H2 value into the software.
8. Click Save.
9. Run another test print to verify alignment.

1. Select the Vertical subtab.
2. Click Test Print.
3. Examine the test print showing horizontal lines inside black rectangles labeled -14 to +4.
4. Identify the line where the white and black horizontal lines overlap most precisely.
5. Subtract the identified value from the current H2 vertical value.
6. Enter the updated value into the software.
7. Click Save.
8. Print again to confirm alignment.

1. Open the Calibration menu in the Pilot software.
2. Select Channel Calibration.
3. Understand that channel calibration ensures precise color alignment and reduces image fuzziness.
4. Note that this calibration aligns individual color nozzles horizontally.
5. Prepare a magnifying glass or microscope for accuracy.
6. If magnification tools are unavailable, leave all channel values at zero to avoid errors.
7. Pause the video as needed during calibration for precision.

1. Click the Calibration button under the Left Direction tab.
2. Allow the printer to print alignment bars.
3. Identify the black bar (Channel 4) as the base reference.
4. Observe cyan, magenta, yellow, black, red, green, blue, and orange bars overlapping the black base.
5. Note that white channels will print after color channels.

1. Decide whether to pause printing before channel 8 completes to keep the film on the printer bed.
2. Alternatively, allow all channels to print, cut the film, and inspect it on a flat surface.
3. Use a microscope or magnifying glass to inspect each color channel.
4. Compare each channel’s bar alignment against the black base bar.

1. Return to the Pilot software.
2. Locate the row labeled H01.
3. Input the determined values for CH1 through CH8.
4. Apply math similar to head calibration: If default is 0 and +2 is optimal, input +2.
5. Double-check alignment bars before saving.
6. Save the settings.

• If default is -1 and +2 is optimal, input +1.

1. Resume printing if the printer was paused.
2. Inspect the four white channel bars printed over the black base.
3. Identify the best overlap values.
4. In this example: CH3 best overlap at -3.
5. Enter values into the Pilot software under H02.
6. Apply math as needed: Example: Default -1 plus -3 results in -4.
7. Save the settings.

• CH4 best overlap at -3.
• CH5 and CH6 best alignment at zero.

1. Recalibrate to verify alignment.
2. Confirm zero is the best overlap if calibration was successful.
3. If alignment is better at +1 or -1, adjust values and recalibrate.
4. Repeat the entire process under the Right Direction tab.
5. Follow the same steps used for left direction calibration.

1. Confirm all previous calibrations have been completed.
2. Understand that bidirectional calibration is the final calibration step.
3. Identify symptoms of poor calibration such as blurry prints or a doubling effect.
4. Note that previous calibrations were unidirectional.
5. Understand that bidirectional calibration combines left and right unidirectional patterns to improve print speed while maintaining accuracy.
6. Perform this calibration periodically, especially when film thickness changes or when environmental factors change, such as a print head replacement.

1. Navigate to the Calibration menu in the Pilot software.
2. Select the Bidirectional Calibration tab.
3. Tap Test Print to generate the calibration pattern.
4. Observe the printed pattern showing: One darker black bar at the top

• One darker black bar at the bottom
• One lighter black bar in the center

1. Examine the calibration pattern closely.
2. Identify the bar where the dark and light patterns overlap perfectly.
3. Use a microscope for best accuracy.
4. If unavailable, use a phone camera.
5. Record the number corresponding to the best overlap.
6. In this example, the best overlap is at -2.

1. Return to the Pilot software.
2. Locate the current value next to the print test.
3. Perform the calculation by adding the overlap value to the current setting.
4. In this example: Current value: 17.5
5. Enter the new value into the field.
6. Click Save.
7. Hold the down arrow icon briefly.
8. Tap Test Print again.

• Adjustment: +2
• New value: 15.5

1. Review the new test print.
2. Confirm the zero pattern shows the best overlap.
3. If zero is not the best overlap, repeat the calibration steps.
4. Complete calibration once zero is confirmed as optimal.