Screen printing and embroidery have been superseded by digital direct-to-garment (DTG) printing as technology has made it possible to put more intricate designs on consumer items like t-shirts. Although embroidery and screen printing are likely to remain popular, DTG printers are growing in popularity because of their quick turnaround and excellent artwork.
If you want to print colourful, attention-grabbing graphics on a variety of garments, you cannot afford to establish a startup or branded apparel business without a DTG printer. Custom products made for specific customers may result in a large boost in revenue in today’s market.
Direct to Garment printing is now available in many different models, making it a popular method of printing t-shirts. With so many versatile printer options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, it may be difficult to select the right one.
Many business owners make poor printer choices because they lack sufficient knowledge about DTG printers. In this article, we’ll look into 5 of the best DTG printers for startups and discuss the features and cons of each.
Write About DTG printers
A direct-to-garment printer, also known as a DTG printer, uses inkjet printing technology to directly transfer full-color digital picture patterns from a computer to clothing. The cloth is printed with CMYK ink using a DTG printer’s print heads, and the ink is then dried with heat. This technique allows for the adhesion and permanence of detail-oriented inks on the fabric.
The Several DTG Printer (Direct to Garment Printer) Types
1. Entrance DTG Printer
These are commercial off-the-shelf printers that have been adapted to print directly on clothing, including Epson L1800, P600, and others. They are inexpensive DTG printers ideal for start-up businesses.Manufacturers of DTG printers purchase OEM printers or OEM printer parts (printheads, for example), convert them using their own proprietary technology, create synchronised bases, and add RIP software to create turnkey DTG printers. These inexpensive entry-level DTG printers can produce quality that rivals even the extremely pricey $20K+ machines while printing hundreds of garments each day. This is a great initial printer choice if you’re establishing a T-shirt printing company because it enables you to develop as your company does. Some of the most affordable DTG printers in this category are offered by DTG Pro.
2. Midrange DTG Printers
Unlike most entry-level DTG printers, the mid-range DTG printers are entirely produced by their individual manufacturers. They are therefore more expensive than entry-level DTG printers despite providing output and quality that are almost identical. Larger businesses and mid-level print shops are frequent targets for mid-scale DTG printers. Remember to compare mid-range DTG printers with entry-level printers and keep in mind that oftentimes, mid-range printers and entry-level printers are extremely comparable in terms of features but not in terms of pricing.
3. Industrial DTG Printers
Industrial DTG printers are designed for high-volume printing, as the name suggests. In this tier, brands like Kornit and other extremely expensive production machinery will occasionally appear. Your needs and company strategy will also determine the best industrial DTG printer for you. Do rigorous software and hardware testing before making a purchase of a DTG printer.
As a result, investing in an entry-level DTG printer is a smart move if you’re just getting started in the printing industry or even if you’re a seasoned DTG provider looking to increase your production capacity. Compared to an expensive industrial level printer, a variety of entry-level DTG machines offer a higher output and more redundancy. Entry level DTG machines are frequently purchased by Silk Screen Print Shops and other seasoned business owners to increase their product offerings without breaking the budget.
For direct-to-film printing, you will have to provide:
A DTF printer with six colour ink tanks, is the first thing you’ll need. start with. Additionally needed are
PET coated transfer sheets
rip software (CADlink)
sticky powder
DTF ink
heat press tools
List Of Top-Rated 5 Best DTG Printers for Startups & Reviews
Due to its accuracy in printing engineering, architectural, and technical drawings, I recommend the T650 as the first DTG printer.
Starting with its capabilities, the HP gives you the option to automatically print projects of different sizes, such as A3/B, A1/D, or A0/E, without having to manually change the media source, giving you more versatility.
You can save a lot of time by utilising HP Click to submit work in the simplest way possible and transmit multiple files with only one click. I truly enjoy this function even if I didn’t anticipate an HP click; yet, there is always a justification for placing a product in the top spot.
The HP T650 is a superb printing device. You hardly need to conduct any more setup or preparation after removing it from the packaging before using it. It produces excellent architectural and mechanical drawings and is quite easy to use, which meet both of my requirements. There is no denying that it has very low maintenance requirements and outstanding print quality.
How Come This Plotter?
A person who needs precise printing of engineering, architectural, or technical designs could require this plotter. Some laser-based, B&W-only plotters are available. This plotter makes use of a colour inkjet technique.
When selecting a plotter, another consideration is whether or not you need to use colour.Maps, graphs, and posters can all be coloured. The HP DesignJet T650 would unquestionably be superior to a B&W plotter under certain circumstances.
Although HP offers a unique wide format series for applications requiring high-quality graphic designs, artwork, or tasks including colour.
On an inkjet with coated paper
the fine lines
small text
numbers present
in the majority of engineering drawings will print more clearly. These enlarged image illustrates the output from a laser and an inkjet printer. An inkjet printer on covered paper should be visible on the left. Right was produced via a laser printer.
It is not constantly simple to print to a wide format printer. Scaling and layout typically require a few more steps than they would with a standard desktop printer.
HP has made every effort to simplify the procedure.
Compared to other plotter software I have tested, their print drivers and available print management software (PMS) are easier to use.
Reasons why somebody would consider utilizing this plotter:
Printing engineering diagrams
Need to print in colour? Easy to set up and use
Benefits and Drawbacks
In order to make printing on this plotter simple, HP goes to great lengths. They can print with only one click using a smartphone. However, I don’t believe anyone prints CAD designs from a smartphone. In graphs or posters, it might be handy.
For this plotter, HP incorporates “HP Click,” a job submission programme. In which case printing PDF, JPEG, TIFF, DWF, HP-GL/2, and PNG files is a rather practical method. HP Click allows you to print files to the plotter by just dragging and dropping them there rather than opening an application. Entering the plotter’s IP address is all that is required to configure HP Click.
In general, HP has simplified its print driver for PCs by removing some steps. Nevertheless, HP doesn’t provide a distinct PPD for this plotter for Macs.
The cutter is a service item for the HP, which is one disadvantage. Therefore, a technician like me will be requested to replace it. However, replacing it entails removing one cover screw, unsnapping the outdated one, and replacing it.
Moreover, cutters frequently have a lengthy lifespan. The plotter’s life, at times.
The HP’s ability to handle thicker paper than comparable plotters is a sign of a strong cutter.
With the Canon and Epson, the cutter is regarded as a consumable that must be changed by the end user.
HP has further developed the ink used during maintenance cycles.
More so than before, beginning a new roll seems simpler. Not that loading it seemed to happen with fewer beeps, mistakes, or prolonged waiting times—putting it on the spindle isn’t easy for any plotter.
The success or failure seemed to occur much more quickly. Retrying took no time at all, even if I received a failure or distorted message.
Differences between the HP DesignJet T650 Plotter and the Canon TA-30
Pros
Easiest yet durable design
Black matte appearance
Outstanding performance and simplicity of usage
Wide-format prints
Cons
It was a bit pricey to me, and there was no scanner.
This VEVOR is the finest choice for a startup and will get you places. The enormous heating plates are the focal point of the VEVOR printer’s overall aesthetic. You are given a very large area that is roughly 15 inches by 15 inches in size so you can manage a variety of materials with ease.
One of the t-shirt presses that VEVOR has had the greatest success selling is this printer. It has both attachment platens (hot plates) and an attachment press because it is a versatile press.
Everything just features an integrated digital controller that allows you to accurately set the temperature and the timer, allowing you to adapt the process to the unique needs of the material you are working with. Aside from the digital control box, the complete piece of equipment has excellent manufacturing quality.
To position and use this machine effectively, you need more room, though. You can work on t-shirts, jeans, bags, cushions, metal cards, and other products in the spacious work area.
Product Features
If you need to finish a variety of projects, the Vevor White 5-in-1 Redesigned Multifunctional Professional Heat Press is a superb decision..
It has several updated finishes and features, including silicone buttons, an aluminum-alloy plate and back beam, and a function that provides smooth suction support. This Vevor press offers smart insulation technology to shield you from the heat, as well as a double tube heating function for even coverage.
You may quickly establish your functions with its digital display and keypad, whether you’re transferring to a shirt, cup, cap, plate, or any other surface.
What We Appreciate
We appreciate how adaptable this heat press is. It has safety elements to ensure your safety from the intense heat it creates and may be used on the majority of transfer surfaces.
Additionally, it has components made of aluminium alloy and other seamless design elements.
This heat press is suitable for novices since it is easy to set up and use, and you can rely on it to help you finish your tasks by dispersing heat evenly.
Things We Despise
In contrast to other variants, this machine’s display is a straightforward digital screen. The user handbook is included in the package, but it’s not very thorough, so if you’re not experienced with Vevor heat press machines, the learning curve might be greater.
Pros
Outstanding build quality
Less temperature variation between machine sections thanks to double-tube heating. Lots of accessories included.
Plenty of workspace; Teflon-coated aluminium heated plate; temperature, pressure, and timer adjustments
Every so then, it’s beneficial to sit back and consider things from a distance, just like this brother monochrome printer. The Brother will make printing for your relatively small workforce much simpler with a monochrome printer. We tested it for print quality and speed, as well as for setup simplicity, technical requirements, ink usage, and general look and feel.
The Brother Monochrome Laser Printer is one of the best and fastest small office printers on the market right now. The multifunction printer can print, copy, scan, and fax documents at a speed of 32 pages per minute with a maximum duty cycle of 15000 pages per month.
The Monochrome Laser Printer has an unusually compact footprint for a printer, measuring 10.7 inches by 15.7 inches by 10.7 inches. Even though the buttons and one-line display are cumbersome and take some time to operate, they are nevertheless functional. The Brother app will make creating a wireless connection straightforward, so you won’t actually need to use them beyond the first setup.
I won’t be running into any major issues with this printer. The monochrome printer efficiently and affordably carried out all of the operations that we required. It is a wonderful option for both a home office and a small business because it would function admirably for many people in that environment.
Reasons We Like the Brother Monochrome Laser Printer
One of the quickest small office printers available on the market is the Brother Monochrome Laser Printer. The all-in-one printer has a maximum duty cycle of 15000 pages per month and prints, copies, scans, and faxes at a speed of 32 pages per minute. A 100-sheet capacity output paper tray and a 2-line LCD display are also included with the printer. Additionally, the Brother Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer is a solid option if you’re seeking for a wireless printer.
Performance
Due to its excellent printing resolution of up to 2400 x 600 dpi and its fast printing speed of 32 pages per minute, the monochrome laser is a useful office tool.It thus produces high definition black and white prints while ensuring another very excellent print quality. It prints nearly as quickly as the HP Laserjet Pro, and another similarity between the two is that they also have monochrome laser printing capabilities.
The first and only issue you might run into is printing photos because the HP Envy 5055 works far better than this Brother printer in that regard. In addition, this printer holds less paper compared to other well-liked models like the HP Pagewide Pro 477dw.
Value
The cost per page for the Brother Monochrome Laser All-in-One printer is fairly high. If you print 10,000 pages of text documents at 3.5 cents each, you could spend as much as $350 in a single month. The Brother’s EasyReplenish auto fulfilment programme might be practical for you if you can afford it. It operates by ordering a fresh set of toner cartridges when your printer detects low ink levels. it’s printing performance, which is 32 pages per minute, is also remarkably quick when compared to those of rivals like the HP OfficeJet 5255. Additionally, the laser printer features a toner-saving option that may be used to lower the resolution and print with less dots per inch, which results in lighter but still sharp images.
Pros
The device has auto-duplex technology, prints quickly, is compact and lightweight, and is constructed with durability in mind.
Gives access to wireless printing
Cons
Customers frequently express frustration with the toner, but I had none.
That HP ENVY stands out among the printers I listed above for its remarkable strong and dependable build quality. The HP Envy’s usability, which features detachable power cords that make it simple to fix if it is damaged, is another feature I liked about using it.
The HP ENVY Inspire 7955e has a high-quality display screen. With touch keys for the Home, Back, and Help menus and a screen that is both big enough and simple to use, I think its screen arrangement is similar to that of the HP OfficeJet Pro 8025.
The user interface is also uncomplicated and clear.The HP ENVY printer has an average cost per print, which is typical of other cartridge-based inkjets sold in the same price range.
In overall, I’m happy with how accurate the colours are on the HP ENVY. While most HP inkjet printers share this trait, the majority of colours seem to have a high level of brightness.
Review of the HP Envy Inspire 7955e Printer: Print Excellence
All prints from the Envy Inspire 7955e were of a good calibre. The text prints were appealing; the letterforms were dark, and the edges appeared to be pretty sharp. Only at close range did the margins appear lumpy.
graphics printed with appealing, realistic-looking hues that, in most cases, accurately reflected the original. When viewed closely, fine features appeared sharp, although pixels could be seen in several textures that might have appeared a little smoother.
Our colour PDF printed with the duplexer appeared slightly less sharp when printed two ways than when printed one way. The text borders were softer than on one-sided prints, and the images’ tiny details weren’t quite as sharp.
Overall, glossy photo prints were attractive because they accurately reproduced colours, textures, and other characteristics. Reds and yellows in particular tended to be slightly exaggerated in the prints, giving them a warm or slightly oversaturated appearance—but not always. Another effect looks lesser vivid the first time I printed it on 4×6 matte paper, but the second print was noticeably more red and looked more like the original on the screen.
Photos with deep shadows have a tendency to lose some fine details when printed, flattening the overall appearance. This was especially prone to slightly flattening the image on matte paper.
The scans have good quality. The accuracy of the text and visual reproduction was comparable to that of all-in-ones in its class. Dark shadows in a scanned photograph retained their nuanced features rather than turning to a solid black area. Intricacies in scanned images were accurately reproduced, and full-size prints overall looked fine. In comparison to the same photo scan from the Canon TS8320, the HP Inspire produced details that seemed clearer on a PC screen when viewed at nearly the original 8×10-inch size. However, enlarging the photographs to the real scan file size revealed anomalies in the HP scans that gave the images an off-putting appearance and deformed edges, perhaps due to sharpening. The scans tended to be warm, with an accentuation on reds and yellows, just like our glossy prints. On people with lighter skin tones, this appeared appealing, but on darker-skinned people, the result may have been a touch odd.
Pros
Creates photos of an excellent
Has both an automatic document feeder & a flatbed scanner (ADF)
The price per print is rather affordable.
Tray for inserting picture paper (15 sheets capacity)
One-stop printer with a range of connecting options
An adequate white ink stirrer is included with the printer and handles the job well. At certain times during the procedure, it has the ability to mechanically recirculate the white ink. This helps to make the printing more appealing and consistent.
Additionally, the printer’s internal heating system enables it to liquefy the rubber powder on the PET film so that it can be mixed with the toner. For better ink adhesion, it has an improved printing area.
This DTF transfer printer can print on both light and dark tones of fabric and is suitable with a wide range of materials (including cotton, poly, blends, and more). Before we wrap up the review, let’s talk about how it was built. The recently built oven features a drawer with handles that allows it to easily and conveniently bake PET film up to size A3.
Furthermore, if the reel bracket is correctly adjusted, this substantially improved reel printer can have significantly less paper jams, which further boosts printing speed and improves productivity.
Key Features
White Inkjet Circulatory Equipment: Designed to Prevent Sediment and Prevent Head Clogs. Advanced White Ink Circulation System. extend the print head’s service life. White ink will be automatically circulated by a built-in agitator to prevent sediment.
Superior DTF Transmission Printing: Roll Feeder and Auto Heat Station Included. Print the length that you require to lessen the paper jam issue that plagues conventional printers. greatly increasing printing speed and efficiency.
It May be Implemented including All Types Of fabric, Particularly T-Shirts, Bag, Caps, Handbags, Pillows, Shoes, Socks, Handicrafts, Hoodies, Cushion, Pillow, Bags, Athletic Mesh Fabrics, Polyester, Textiles, and More. Diversity of Using it:
Career After Sales Department: This printer is compatible with Windows 7/10/11 computers. We Have a Skilled Group of Engineers. We Will Offer You a High-Quality Remote Service If You Experience Any Issues While Using It.
Simple to Use: You Can Print Right Away While Adding Ink and You Don’t Need to Adjust the Printhead’s Physical Position. After printing on the PET Film with a DTF printer, direct transfer to the T-shirt using a heat press is practical. drastically improve the efficiency of production.
Using a DTG printer can benefit small businesses in a variety of ways, including the following:
Detailed Patterns in Various Colours:
DTG printers can produce multicolor prints in high quality. They are preferred for activities that require finely detailed prints, such as printing on shirts.
Charges:
A DTG printing machine has a relatively low initial cost compared to other printing methods. Additionally, the cost of continued production is extremely low.
Simple to be Using:
There are only three simple steps needed to use a DTG printer. Just get dressed, put some paper in the printer, and print!
Enables Modification:
With a direct to garment printer, one garment can be ordered and printed. This makes it simple for printers to adjust the design’s size to fit the garment. It is possible to test and explore a variety of photos, words, and fashion trends without spending a lot of time or money on inventory.
Beneficial to the Environment:
To produce graphics that stick to clothing, screen printers utilise inks that contain phthalates, PVC, and other chemicals.
The inks used by DTG printers, on the other hand, are water-based and safer to use and clean up because they are OEKO-TEX 100 certified.
Quick Output:
With direct to garment printers, you may create a final product extremely quickly from a concept. This enables printers to test out novel ideas, take on special orders, and still finish off production swiftly.
Short Setup Time:
Printing technology can only handle a small number of colours at once and requires a complex setup. Each colour of ink must be squeegeed onto the garment separately, allowed to dry, and then repeated.
With DTG printing, however, all you need to do is load the garment onto the printing plate and upload your design.
Enlargement of the Company:
Screen printing is not displaced by direct to garment printers. Instead, they provide a distinct printing technique that works well for intricate designs and limited manufacturing runs. Therefore, investing in a DTG printer is a logical progression for a garment printing company.
Almost no Room is Required:
DTG printers are space-efficient and have a tiny operating footprint. You only need room for the printer itself, a computer, a pre-treater, and a heat-curing device.Your tiny business operation can be fully set up with a DTG printer in a space smaller than one room.
Flexibility:
With direct-to-garment printing, any design on the garment may be printed. It is possible to print on surfaces that are otherwise unreachable, including shoulders, pockets, and zippers.
DTG printing is effective on a range of fabric types, seams, and zippers.
Furthermore, cotton, polyester, and other fabrics are supported by DTG printers. A DTG printer can produce personalised t-shirts with excellent details and printing quality on both light and dark colours.
Full-color printing
Excellent details and excellent resolution; durable
What to Take into Account While Purchasing the Best DTG Printer for Startups
We hope that the items we’ve listed above have given you some information that will help you make a better informed choice. In addition, you need to search for characteristics that the finest DTG printer for startups must have. It contains:
When choosing a DTG printer, keep in mind your output requirements and available budget. Large enterprises benefit greatly from high-end printers, but you shouldn’t spend all of your money on an unnecessary item. For thorough details, keep reading:
High-Quality Printing
DTG printing includes all-over printing, therefore if a printer prints with poor quality, the T-design shirt’s will look amateurish. This method of handling fabric is expensive and wasteful. It will eventually have a detrimental influence on your organisation. In spite of this, clothes printing quality should never be compromised. A DTG printer with a resolution of 1440 dpi seems to be the optimum printer to use for this task.
Selection of Fabric
The printing’s quality and the fabric’s prominence are comparable. Hoodies and other bulky garments that can’t have thick garment printing applied to them cannot be printed on. In this situation, you can just buy or print hard copies. A direct-to-garment (DTG) printer is a suitable alternative if you need to print on thin materials. For you to be able to acquire exactly what you need, whether it’s for printing on T-shirts or on hoodies and jeans, we’ve included both types of printers.
A Printing Ink
The industry of garment printing is highly competitive and professional. To get decent results, you must use a cartridge that is compatible with your DTG printer; the authors do not only advise against purchasing a cartridge from a third party; doing so could also destroy your design.
Cost For Purchases
User ought to be able to purchase a respectable printer with a reasonable budget, but don’t assume that, just because you can afford it, it will satisfy all of your needs. Keep an eye on your requirements, investigate which printers satisfy them, and then acquire. When just getting started, it’s crucial to spend money on a reliable DTG printer that can work with both thick and thin materials.
Tips For Maintaining DTG Printers
This is the most crucial part of the article, I must state before going into more depth. It’s nice to have the best DTG printer for a startup, but what if it starts to lie to you after a while? You alone will be responsible, thus it would be wise to consider the following advice:
Give the printer a conducive environment for printing t-shirts to maintain it functioning properly. You’ll keep an eye on dust, heat, and humidity. Keep excessive temperature changes away from your printer.
Check the nozzle every day before printing t-shirts. Your printing and business are improved. The nozzle has to be fixed if it isn’t operating correctly. Clogs that are not removed will make your printer ineffective.
The agitator in a printer prevents the ink from settling. Whenever appropriate, rotate the cartridges before each usage. Especially if you don’t employ your printer often, do it every day. Print a few test t-shirts every day or once every three days to keep the ink flowing.
By establishing a vacuum throughout the immediately surrounding the nozzle plate, the finishing device pushes ink. Pressure opens nozzles, stopping the drying of inks. Use demineralized water or other cleaning agents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Would I use a standard DTG printer to print on thick fabrics?
Because they wouldn’t respect the warranty, we won’t suggest that you use a standard DTG printer to print on thick textiles like sweatshirts or trousers. Therefore, you should always read the user manual that is included with the device if you wish to avoid these issues.
Which is better, a heat press or DTG?
Despite needing any additional tools, the DTG printer can print on cloth. A DTG printer works more quickly than a heat press. Some novice printers utilise the heat press, a piece of machinery that uses heat and a lot of power to imprint designs on fabric. The heat press requires more time towards using.
Is it possible to profit from a DTG printer?
DTG is an excellent source of income. Yes, it’s quite simple to use. We have discovered from a handful of our customers that they either use their own direct-to-garment (DTG) printers or modify an existing printer to be used for direct-to-fabric printing (DTF).
Final words
Possessing access to the finest DTG printer for startups on the market would go a long way toward guaranteeing the prosperity of your business. Nothing is better than having the ability to print directly into the cloth, and you will value having the ability to provide things that are produced to order.
You can sell goods that are exclusive to your brand if you can print on fabric. These gadgets are easy to use, don’t take much time to set up, and will give your business a lot of useful features and capabilities that you’ll love having access to.
I am sure that my list of the top 5 DTG printers for startups will be useful to you as you choose. Enjoy yourself and be successful, buddy! You can ask me in the comments if you have any further ideas or queries.
