Rock Candy

I am a contract screen printer. I am use to printing only large quantities per style. I am thinking about getting a DTG machine. I am curious as to what types of customers everyone is trying to get with their DTG business. Where does the majority of your work come from? Any feedback is greatly apprecited.

 

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DAGuide

The benefit of a dtg printer is the short runs or in your case, possibly sampling designs. dtg printing is not going to give you the same exact colors in some cases as you can get screen printing, but it can let you do some designs in low quantities without all the pre-press and setup work needed for screen printing. I know some screen printers that use a dtg printer because it will leave you an real soft hand like waterbased screen printing and allow you to print over seams - which can be difficult for some screen printers. Just remember that most dtg printers are going to need some attention and can't just sit there for several days not being used. Regular use and maintenance are the keys to dtg printing.

I have seen customers of dtg printers come from off the street to existing customers that want something down for them individually. The most successful companies are the ones that use a dtg printer to increase the sales with the current customer base and also use it to expand their target market. There are even contract dtg companies (ContractDTG - Premier source for digitally printed garments.) that do a similar thing as what you are currently doing but for dtg printing.

This dtg101 guide might help you out - www.multirip.com/dtg101.pdf. Good luck with your decision.

Mark

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dom42

i would say for short runs such as 1-200. im sure you can do more depending on what type of machine.
Just like you, just get'n my foot in the door as far as DTG prints go. I've been doing silkscreen for people already. I mean, i don't do the silk screen myself, i have them outsourced through a friend whom has already been doing it since he was a kid. He has contracts with Anchor blue, hot topic, and other pretty well established brands. So when it comes to large jobs, and especially if it doesn't call for detailed work, i go to him for large orders.
But i have found a market for this DTG printer. I just happend to know alot of muscians such as the black eye'd peas and "The Game" , sheeit even Janet Jackson. And i have been doing small jobs for them for the past 2 years. I guess you could say im lucky. Besides me working on doing my own tshirt line , im going to utilize the DTG printer and do those small jobs they throw at me for their little parties ,campaigns and such. but at the same time cater to the mom who just wants 1-10 shirts for her son/daughters bday.

Did you guys see the DEMocradic Convention. did you see what the black eye'd peas were wearing...........thats me. anyways im rambling....good night

 

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mrbigjack50

I personally deal with artist mostly for jobs.
They put the paintings on shirts and so on.
I also do get like stuff for family reunions and business that want to make a few work shirts in full color.
Been handy little side business for me but is pain when your machine breaks down.
Personally I silk screen dark shirts because an be pain in butt and cost alot to maintain with white inks.
Unless you do darks all the time, it an be hassle in my opinion

 

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