I am in the process of evaluating which DTG printer to purchase. I have read that alot of people here are quite happy with their HM1 machones. Does anyone know of a dealer in Canada? Can anyone tell me how this machine compares to an Anajet and a DTG Viper?
Thanks
CMB Services in the Toronto area. (416) 878-1459 or (866) 868-4022.
The HM1-C is a smaller format than the Viper (as is the Anajet). It does have the circulation system like the Viper, but it has a 12.5" wide print area as opposed to 16.5". On one off prints is faster than the Viper and should be the same speed as the Anajet (when prnting at the same resolution). The Viper excels when printing multi-shirt runs as it handles two shirts at once - thus cutting the non-productive time in half per shirt. The biggest difference, beside the white ink circulation system and price, between the HM1-C and the Anajet is the cost of ink. The inks for the HM1-C are roughly half the price of the cartridge based inks for the Anajet at the liter level.
Don, It seems that you are really knowledgable in the area of DTG Machines. In my situation I am currently sub contracting the sillk screening operation out to another company. I want to bring this operation in house but do not really want to setup a screen printing operation, rather I am thinking that a DTG machine can do everything that I need done. I have short runs and longer runs both single color and multiple color jobs. which machine do you think I should be considering? Am I right in my thinking about these machines or should I go with equipment to do heat applied sublimation.
Thanks
Thanks for the kind words. Without knowing the actual numbers of garments you are doing and the type of garments it is tough to make a call on this. The space required by DTG printers is much smaller than a screenprint setup. If you are printing on mostly cotton garments then sublimation is not a great solution. The Viper will perform very well on larger runs and do just fine on onesies (though the HM1-C is a little faster on one offs). Claude at CMB has an extensive screenprint and direct to garment experience and he can give you a good assessment of your situation. My gut says that you should keep a relationship with a screen printer for the larger number, lower color jobs and do the shorter run, higher color jobs on your DTG. You may even be able to work with the screenprinter to do his short-run, high color jobs for him.
Don
1 reason for me looking at a DTG Printer is that I do not think my local screen printer will be in business much longer.
I am doing approximately 600-800 t-shirts monthly. I am hoping that this number increases with the DTG advantage I think I will have.
Another reason for the investigation into DTG is that I will be able to offer my clients, new and old, an upgrade or additional colors at no charge. This will set me apart from my competition who all do traditional screen printing. As you are aware an additional color adds additional screens and additional printing charges. Do you think I am on the right track?
Thanks
Your reasoning is sound. Just make sure you price accordingly based on labor and ink costs when pricing your direct to garment output. No doubt a Viper can handle the type of numbers you are talking about, even double what you are doing now wouldn't be a problem.
Don. I have another question for you. You stated that the Anajet and the DTG Viper use the same printer mechanisms and ink. Then why when I received a sample from Anajet and DTG Viper machines that they are different in the way they feel. The Anajet print is very soft and does not feel like a screeen printed shirt at all. The DTH Viper feels alot more like a screen printed garmant, kinda stiff and thick. Both samples were printed on a black t-shirt. The DTG Viper is more vibrant in it's color also. Have you had any problems with your clients complaining that the feel of the print is too stiff and or hard?
Thanks
Actually I said that the Anajet and HM1-C are basically the same print engines. The difference you are seeing between the prints is the amount of white ink laid down for the underbase. The DTG line of printers allows for multiple resolutions to print the underbase at as well as slider bars to fine tune that amount as well. The more white ink that is laid down, the brighter the white underbase. The brighter the white underbase, the brighter the colors on top of it. I'm not certain what image you had printed on the two machines, but, unless it was the same image - preferably printed at the same resolution.
HM1 Canadian dealer 
