Microtec APEX X8 Auto Heat Press: Price, Specs, vs X4/X6

Microtec USA lists its APEX X-Series automatic rotary heat presses at $28,990 for the 4-station X4, $33,990 to $36,990 for the 6-station X6, and $45,990 for the 8-station X8, as of Oct. 5, 2026. All four use 16 x 20 inch platens and are rated by Microtec for up to 420 garments per hour with minimal labor. Installation and training add $3,890, and shipping is extra. Trade coverage of the X8 launch appeared in early February 2026.

These machines target one bottleneck: a DTF printer can produce transfers faster than a person can load, press, peel, and unload shirts. This post collects the published specs and prices for the whole APEX automation line, including the feeder and peelers, and shows where it sits next to the other carousel presses we have covered.

Microtec APEX X-Series prices and specs

Prices and wording come from Microtec USA's store listings, observed Oct. 5, 2026.

Shared specs from the listings:

• Throughput: up to 420 garments per hour with minimal labor, according to Microtec. That is a manufacturer rating, not a tested figure.
• Layout: 1 to 4 heat press stations on a 4 to 8 pallet platform.
• Control: a 10.4 inch machine-mounted touchscreen.
• Build: heavy-duty steel frame and stable pallet arms for garment positioning.
• Installation and training: $3,890. Shipping is not included.
• Not published in the listing text we reviewed: footprint, weight, voltage, air supply, and warranty terms. Ask Microtec USA for them before planning a floor layout or electrical work.

Microtec also says the digitally controlled heat stations help flatten garment fibers and add residual heat that can improve pretreat application and white ink flash. Microtec does not say how that applies to a pure DTF transfer workflow.

The add-on machines

The APEX line is sold as a system. Microtec USA lists these separately:

Microtec's page does not list which accessories ship in each bundle, so a buyer cannot tell from the listing how the bundle price compares with buying the press, feeder, and peeler separately. Get an itemized quote.

The same catalog includes APEX Max roll-to-roll presses ($8,900 for 15 x 15 in, $10,990 for 16 x 20 in) and automatic DTF film cutters ($10,900 for the XC-25, $12,900 for the XC-37).

How it compares with other automatic presses

Impressions magazine's Sept. 22, 2026 feature on automated heat pressing described the same problem: as DTF printers get faster, the press becomes the limit. It named the ROQ IMPRESS six-station system, the Brown Manufacturing Stomper Yet-Tee, which won the 2026 Impressions Industry Impact Award for Best New DTF System, and the Hotronix Carousel as the main automation options.

Who this is for, and who should wait

A carousel press makes sense when three things are true at once: the shop already produces more transfers than its presses can apply, the work is repeat orders of similar garments, and there is a second person available to load and floor space for a six- or eight-station machine. The decision is mostly arithmetic. Divide the machine price by the labor you would save per shirt, then compare the payback with what the same money would buy in printer capacity or transfers from a supplier. Our buy a printer or order transfers guide walks through that comparison, and the DTF transfer cost guide has the per-sheet math.

A shop pressing a few dozen shirts a day will usually get more from a pair of manual or dual-station presses. The heat press buying guide covers that ladder, and the DTF printer directory shows which printers can keep a carousel fed. A 30-inch roll printer such as the Roland TY-300i is one that can.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Microtec APEX X8 cost?

Microtec USA lists the APEX X8 8-station press at $45,990 as of Oct. 5, 2026. Installation and training are a separate $3,890 fee, and shipping is not included, so the delivered cost is higher than the list price.

How many shirts per hour does the Microtec APEX press make?

Microtec rates the APEX X-Series at up to 420 garments per hour with minimal labor. That is a manufacturer figure for the series, not an independent test, and real output depends on garment type, transfer placement, and how fast the operator loads.

Does the APEX X8 include a feeder and peeler?

The standalone X8 listing is for the press only. The X-Feed feeder ($8,900) and the X-Peel or X-Pull peelers ($8,900 each, or $13,990 for the combined X-Peel Pro) are listed separately, and a $65,436 X8 Automation Bundle is also offered without an itemized contents list.

Is the Microtec APEX X8 better than the Hotronix Carousel?

The two are not directly comparable on price because STAHLS' does not publish a Hotronix Carousel price. On specs, the APEX X8 has eight stations and a 420-per-hour rating, while the Hotronix Carousel has six stations and a 300-per-hour rating from STAHLS'. Compare quotes, installation, and service coverage before deciding.

Where does Microtec fit in the DTF Database?

Microtec USA is not yet in the supplier directory, so this post is the reference for its automatic press line. Related coverage includes the Hotronix Carousel, the Pinnacle Awards DTF winners, and the printer directory.