[Need Help Selecting Which DTG Machine to Buy] Looking to talk to a home based operator.
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[Need Help Selecting Which DTG Machine to Buy] Looking to talk to a home based operator.
I am looking into adding a digital garment printer to my existing in home promo product business. I am looking to ask some questions about which printer is best to work with, what to expect in the way of maintance.
I get quite a few request for small runs of t-shirts and my screen printer and I have discussed that this might be the best way for me to go after additional business.
I am looking into adding a digital garment printer to my existing in home promo product business. I am looking to ask some questions about which printer is best to work with, what to expect in the way of maintance.
I get quite a few request for small runs of t-shirts and my screen printer and I have discussed that this might be the best way for me to go after additional business.
thanks,
Michael
Michael,
We have a home based business and a DTG printer (Fast T-Jet2) along with a Roland VP540 Versacamm and PR650 embroidery machine...
DTG fit well for us since we really didn't have the room to get into screen printing and really most of our orders are either one-offs or 1-50 pc which DTG is great for, there are maintenance issues especially if your going to do dark shirts, white ink is what it is and requires attention for the printer to work correctly, there are tons of threads here stating different issues with different machines a search will turn up a lot of answers.
Maintenance for our machine is every few days since we don't print everyday, it might take 10 min to do a head cleaning and swab around the vital parts to keep them clean and to keep the ink flowing...not really a big deal you just can't let it sit for a extended period without doing extras like flushing the head and ink lines.
That said DTG has the ability to do one-offs that really are not economical to do any other way, you can basically do your design in Photoshop and go right to the rip software (well kinda) and print you design on a shirt in just minuets.(it's a little more complex than that but not a lot)
Thanks, can I ask you a few other questions ? Before you pruchased the dtg (fast jet 2 ) did you look at other machines. What did you like about this printer over others.
Every distributor should have their list of "reference customers" they could provide you. Just ask. Yes, these are their own satisfied customers, but also usually power users who have put the machines through the paces and can provide you with good info.
Similar to Jon, we have a Kiosk II along with 2 Brother PR600's and an SWF-E/1501T and a Roland GX24 vinyl cutter. We got the Kiosk as part of a package deal from SWF.
We currently only offer light color printing on th DTG. For our customers, it works pretty well since every shirt is custom to their particular car.
Thanks, can I ask you a few other questions ? Before you pruchased the dtg (fast jet 2 ) did you look at other machines. What did you like about this printer over others.
M
Sure.....yes we looked at all the current model printers both new and refurb, and for us it really came down to either a DTG HM-1 or the T-Jet2 (basically because of price) we needed to be in the sub $10k range on the printer and since most of the less than $20k (new) printers that do dark shirts use Dupont ink the problems associated with a Epson based white ink printers is basically the same within reason......
For us and anybody else getting into DTG printing the major factors to consider IMHO is of course the printer, the software, the cost of ink, and most importantly tech support, I think Don (SWF-East) and Harry (Equipment Zone) do a fantastic job providing customer support, it just worked out that Equipment Zone was closer to us and we already knew what kind of problems to look for with the T-Jet from reading in this forum.
I would recommend an MS-One. Although to be transparent I do work with MS. I do however own an older Ms-One (4800 based machine) for my own Company. I bought the machine before i started working with the Company.
I based my decision to buy it on the quality of the machine and the software. I've had it now for about a yr and a half and must say I am very happy with it. Depending on the volume and target customer you are focused on these machines can be very profitable.
In regards to the maintenance the optimal situation is a daily routine in which you spend 10 -20 mins checking and cleaning your machine whatever the brand. Its not difficult or back breaking work, the hardest part is to be disciplined enough to keep up on it.
Any questions please feel free to contact me I will help in any way I can
Looking to talk to a home based operator. 
