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Vtec44 · January 10th, 2007

First of all, this is just MY personal observation on whatever samples were given to me with NO real world experience on either printer. We finally got some more funding to invest in these printers, so my partners and I are just doing some testing and research to decide on which one we're going to purchase (most likely purchase one and lease the other). The order of importance for us is: quality of the print, durability of the print, price of the printer, ease of use, speed.

From what I know, the quality of these DTG prints rely on 2 important factors: ink & pretreatment. Hence, I expect the samples to showcase the best possible quality that can be achieved if everything is right. After all, they were printed by the people that made/distribute these machines.

I requested samples from DTG America & US Screen Print, got them both in the mail the other day. DTG America sent the samples out much quicker, unfortunately they ran out of dark garment samples so I'm still waiting for that.

Comparing the print quality on white shirts, the T-Jet sample seems to hold the color MUCH better on the first wash (barely any fading at all). The samples from DTG America held up fairly well, but faded a lot on the first wash. As far as the black sample I got from US Screen Print, it is almost of screen print quality. It has no signs of fading whatsoever after 1 wash in hot water & strong detergent. Although, it is also as thick as screen printing. I used the same washing method for all samples. I'm waiting for the dark samples from DTG America to compare.

We're going to visit both companies during the Long Beach show to see their demos. As far as quality, T-Jet has made a very good impression on us.

Rodney · January 11th, 2007

Hey James, thanks for posting the quality comparison.

I'm eager to see some printed samples at the Long Beach show. Sounds like the technology is improving.

Vtec44 · January 16th, 2007

Yep, I'm also anxiously waiting for the show. Although, are they suppose to mail me me the tickets? Because I havent' received it yet

Anywho, I got the 2 new samples from DTG America (white & black) and the quality is MUCH better. The white shirt held up great, with hardly any noticeable fading. THe black shirt sample is also almost screen-print quality, no fading at all after 1 wash in hot water and harsh detergent. However, the colors seem a bit dull compare to the sample I got from US Screen Print (T-Jet). As far as durability, they're both on par with each other IMHO. Now, it's down to features, pricing, and ease of use.

Rodney · January 16th, 2007

Quote:


	Although, are they suppose to mail me me the tickets? Because I havent' received it yet

You just get the registration number (from your email confirmation) and then you take that to the show where you get your printed passes from this machine/kiosk thing that prints them on demand as you enter your details.

vctradingcubao · January 16th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtec44


	The order of importance for us is: quality of the print, durability of the print, price of the printer, ease of use, speed. We're going to visit both companies during the Long Beach show to see their demos. As far as quality, T-Jet has made a very good impression on us.

This is great James. I'm sure a lot of members unable to attend the show are very much interested in the improved DTGs as well. Please check them out for us, and it would be a great help if you can post a "comparison table/matrix", and also what your final purchase decision will be. We also want the DTG comments/judgement of others please. Looking forward to all your DTG posts after the show.

Vtec44 · January 22nd, 2007

We made a purchase at the end of the show. We walked around quite a bit, saw quite a few booths, watched a bunch of demos, talked to the reps, and came back to US Screen. Why? They again made a great impression on us with the setup of their booth, the techs that were there, and the "open" feeling that we got.

The booth: I felt that US Screen print did a great job at setting theirs up. It was very well presented with three T-Jet 3's, one T-Jet 2, two T-Jet Blaser's, and one T-Jet Jumbo 2, 2 separate flat screens and sitting areas for people to watch their demo DVD, and a whole lot of people around to answer questions. MESA was the next biggest booth, but they had one DTG KIOS, one DTG Express, and just a few reps at their booth. When I was at the booth, only the smaller KIOS was printing. The booth setup wasn't as open, you can't walk around and look at the printers in different angles (or at least it wasn't as inviting).

The Techs: US Screen had A LOT of people there to answer questions. I was actually on first name basis with a bunch of them by the end of the day (mostly with Nathan and Jasper LOL).

The "Open" feeling: We walked around, asked a lot of questions, and looked at different demos of the same machine within their booth. We sat in one of the viewing areas and watched the DVD, looked at many different finished products. The booth setup and the people made us felt very comfortable.

We got the samples, compared the quality, and watched all companies presented themselves. US Screen made a very good impression and sold us (that and the discount + a bunch of free accessories). They either truely believe in their products, very good sales people, or both. I guess I'll find out in a couple of weeks.

binki · January 22nd, 2007

did you get the blowout special on the Tjet2? They told me they were discounting them pretty good and they only had 30 left at the end of Friday.

TahoeTomahawk · January 23rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtec44


	I requested samples from DTG America & US Screen Print, got them both in the mail the other day. DTG America sent the samples out much quicker, unfortunately they ran out of dark garment samples so I'm still waiting for that. Comparing the print quality on white shirts, the T-Jet sample seems to hold the color MUCH better on the first wash (barely any fading at all). The samples from DTG America held up fairly well, but faded a lot on the first wash. As far as the black sample I got from US Screen Print, it is almost of screen print quality. It has no signs of fading whatsoever after 1 wash in hot water & strong detergent. Although, it is also as thick as screen printing. I used the same washing method for all samples. I'm waiting for the dark samples from DTG America to compare. We're going to visit both companies during the Long Beach show to see their demos. As far as quality, T-Jet has made a very good impression on us.

That is a good observation that you can feel the ink like a screen print.
I wonder if DTG American sent you a standard print with 1 pass, where the folks at US Screen Print did several passes to get the colors brighter which would make it thicker too?

With certain images we also do 2 or more passes or we select certain colors to give 2 or more passes, I think I made a post about this for White Ink.

I think doing several passes gives you brighter images for the most part however with some colors, doing a second pass will change the color so you have to be careful doing that. Also, putting down 'too much' white ink will sometimes cause it to peel off the shirt like a worn out transfer.

I wonder if you can have the printers at the show print you a sample with 1 pass only that way you can get a good comparison.

Vtec44 · January 23rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by binki


	did you get the blowout special on the Tjet2? They told me they were discounting them pretty good and they only had 30 left at the end of Friday.

I did, but the discount came out to be more like 16%

Vtec44 · January 23rd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TahoeTomahawk


	That is a good observation that you can feel the ink like a screen print. I wonder if DTG American sent you a standard print with 1 pass, where the folks at US Screen Print did several passes to get the colors brighter which would make it thicker too?

That's a good question. From what I know based on the dark samples from both company, the thickness are about the same (slightly thinner than standard screen print and transfer, much softer than vinyl press). The T-Jet 2 prints 1 white coat then 1 color, I watched them at the show and got a sample. The DTG KIOS was also printing 1 white coat and 1 color coat at the show. We've washed the shirts about 5 or 6 times now, still holding up extremely well (both T-Jet 2 and DTG KIOS). As far as the samples I got through the mail, US Screen did 2 passes (1 white & white color). I'm not sure about DTG America.

Vtec44 · January 25th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtec44


	I did, but the discount came out to be more like 16%

I take that back. Bob Erkens from US Screen print is mailing me out some free accessories and software. So, the final discounted price is about close to 30%.

rook1200 · January 25th, 2007

Just went through a DTG class last night. We like the T-Jet also and the quality is pretty much the same. We washed the shirts an everything. We even printed over seams and stiches cuz our designs go all over the place. And it did really well. The DTG reps were kinda newbies, but I was able to work the machine better than them... they put the printer on a rolling table which caused vibrations and a halo effect on the color design/on black tee.

DTG is about 2K cheaper and the consumables are comparable. TJET doesn't include a heat press either

Don-ColDesi · January 29th, 2007

Hi Rook,

It was good to meet you in Chicago last week. Never been called a "newbie" in this industry before, but, there's a first time for everything. The "halo" with your images was not due to vibrations, it was due to the "edge softening" on the image as I showed you, that and the 72 dpi image resolution (a common mistake with inexperienced users). We are currently working on a Beta version of the software that will make up for the "halo" that is caused by artwork with these softened edges, as we are finding that many graphics designers don't understand direct to garment printing yet and tend to generate more "screen print" friendly artwork. If you would like to provide me with a decent resolution copy of your artwork (between 150-200 dpi at actual print size) I will be glad to provide you with a better sample. You can PM me or email the updated artwork to my email address - [email address]

Thanks

Don

rook1200 · January 30th, 2007

I already have access to a DTG machine and got the same 72 dpi design to not halo. It's a good machine. Just don't push down on the shirt after the white pass.

TahoeTomahawk · January 30th, 2007

The old Software for the DTG machines PrintPro seemed to do better with lower resolution images. I never had a problem with the Halo effect ethier. Now with the new software we have to do some cleanup on the image and adjust the 'choke' settings for the white underbase but wow, the colors are WAY more accurate than PrintPro.

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