If you’re in the market for a new t-shirt printing method, you may have heard of Direct to Garment printing, or DTG printing. DTG printing is a relatively new t-shirt printing method that has quickly become popular among t-shirt designers and businesses.
So, what is DTG printing? DTG printing is a t-shirt printing method that uses inkjet technology to print images and designs onto t-shirts. This printing method is similar to the way your home printer prints images onto paper.
The biggest advantage of DTG printing is that it allows you to print full color images and designs onto t-shirts. This is a huge advantage over traditional t-shirt printing methods, which are limited to printing one or two colors.
Another advantage of DTG printing is that it’s a great option for small quantities. If you need to print just a few t-shirts, DTG printing is a great option. This is because there is no minimum order quantity with DTG printing.
So, if you’re looking for a t-shirt printing method that can print full color images and designs, and is great for small quantities, DTG printing is a great option for you!
DIY DTG Printer Instructions
The instructions to build your very own DTG printer can be found on this page -> https://alienbunker.com/shop/dtg-diy-printer-homemade-pdf-download-epson-tshirt-printer/
It’s a PDF manual containing 58 pages with very detailed instructions and steps to build your DTG printer.
It also includes online support in case you need it.
Is DTG Printing Business Still Profitable ?
The short answer is yes, DTG printing can be profitable for your business. But as with any business, there are a number of factors to consider when determining whether or not DTG printing is the right fit for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at a few things you’ll need to think about as you decide if DTG printing is right for your business.
1. What are your start-up costs?
DTG printers, inks, and other supplies can be costly. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of training for your staff, as DTG printing is a complex process. If you’re not careful, your start-up costs could quickly eat into your profits.
2. What is your target market?
DTG printing is best suited for small runs of high-quality prints. If your target market is looking for cheap, mass-produced prints, DTG printing is probably not the best option for your business.
3. What are your production costs?
DTG printing is a time-consuming process, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of labor when calculating your production costs. Additionally, DTG inks can be expensive, so you’ll need to be sure to price your products accordingly.
4. What is your competition doing?
As with any business, it’s important to know what your competition is up to. If your competition is already using DTG printing, you’ll need to be sure to offer a competitive price point and superior quality prints in order to stay ahead.
5. What are your long-term goals?
DTG printing is a great option for businesses that are looking to produce small runs of high-quality prints. But if your long-term goal is to mass produce prints, DTG printing is probably not the best option for your business.
Now that you’ve considered a few things, you should have a better idea of whether or not DTG printing is right for your business. If you have any further questions, we encourage you to reach out to a DTG printing expert for guidance.
Which is Better: DTG or Screen Printing?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific application. In general, DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is better for smaller runs or for printing on garments with more intricate designs, while screen printing is better for large runs or for printing on garments with simple designs.
Also, screen printing is expensive because it involves a lot of setup time, and the materials used are relatively expensive. So, this method is only profitable if you’re going to print a large order of the same design.
How Much Does a DTG Printer Costs?
A DTG printer will typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000. Of course, you can find much cheaper models available for as low as $3,000, but still, not many people are willing to pay that amount for a printer.
If you got the skills and the knowledge, building your own DTG printer can be a much affordable method.
Why Most DTG Printer is Based off Epson?
Indeed, most DTG printers available is mostly built with an Epson model. This is because Epson uses Micro Piezo Technology to eject the ink droplets. On the other hand, Canon uses heat to eject the ink which make it not compatible with DTG ink.
What is Micro Piezo Technology
Micro Piezo Inkjet technology is a type of inkjet printing that uses very small, piezoelectric crystals to create the ink droplets. The crystals are activated by an electric field, which causes them to vibrate and eject the ink droplets. This technology is used in a variety of inkjet printers, including those used for industrial and commercial printing.
What Challenge Most People Face When Building a DTG Printer?
Some people will find it easy to disassemble a printer and turn into a fully working DTG printer, but some people might get stuck at some point during the process.
This mostly happen due to a bad positioning of a sensor or motor. It can be easily fixed by looking at the DTG guide and repositioning it.
DTG and Clogged Print Head
This is something that can happen very often, especially with DTG ink that tend to dry easier than dye-based ink.
When your inkjet printer won’t print, it’s usually because the print head is clogged. The print head is the part of the printer that holds the ink cartridges and sprays ink onto the paper. Over time, ink can dry out in the print head, causing clogs.
There are a few things you can do to clean the print head and get your printer working again. First, try running a print head cleaning cycle. This will usually clear out any minor clogs.
If that doesn’t work, you can try using a print head cleaning kit. These kits come with a solvent that you can use to clean the print head. Follow the instructions that come with the kit to clean the print head.
If your printer still won’t print after trying these things, you might need to replace the print head.
Replacing the print head can be very costly, so it’s best to avoid clogged print head at all costs.
Best DTG Printer
There is not define answer for this. Every DTG Printer have its pros and cons.
Most DTG uses the same mechanism and methods to print, so there’s not much difference between models.
Some models might have ink circulation, auto bed leveling and things like that, but in the end, it will print the same way other models do.
A Homemade DTG Printer can achieve the same print quality as commercial grade ones if built correctly.