Well the reason I ask is because our T-Jet Blazer Pro has had nothing but one thing after another that has glitched and has been extremely inconsistent with results. Then there is the question of the business model itself. Our particular reason for buying this machine was the "photo realistic quality". Which thus far takes several attempts to get one shirt kinda sorta the way we want it. As i said, extremely inconsistent. Also, I am also not sure if it can deliver on what was promised at time of purchase.
In case you are wondering - yes - we have been in touch with US Screen tech support on more occasions than I can even count.
Additionally, since the machine does not appear to be able to get the results I expected, I may have to take a different approach on how to monetize the machine. Thus, the making money part of the equation. To qualify that, what I really mean is that the product line I was trying to put out appears to not be as viable as I had hoped. So... the direction I would more than likely have to take would be to solicit clients and take on "jobs". Now, the concept is not horrible of course. Just not what we had intended.
The reason the "jobs" thing is even an issue is because of the lack of volume that it can output quickly. In other words, you can not compete with traditional screen printers. So the jobs you can take seem to be rather limited. So you have to get a whole lot of little (short run) jobs that can take advantage of the color scope and quick turnaround that DTG offers on short runs/one offs. There is also the issue of wasted ink (head cleanings every so many hours) that happens every day that you don't have work (in case you're just starting out like me).
It seems that most of the scenarios I read about are people who use DTG to supplement a existing screen printing shop. Not just a solo DTG.
So that's why I am wondering. It seems rather difficult to get any kind of solid income coming in with just a solo DTG.
If I may ask, what type of work is it that you do?
We do sublimation, awards, screen printing, vinyl ect ect. In our showroom I make sure to let people know if they want bold numbers or letters vinyl, tack twill, or screen printing is the way to go.
Our basic marketing plan for this machine is the trendy fade looking tees with unique designs people bring to us. We also do quite abit of chest logos. If someone has to have a full back full color I have no problem saying its 30.00 a tee.
We did not buy this machine to compete with our screen department or try and match its volume.
If someone says 30.00 is way to high than we politely ask them where they are comparing our pricing to. If someone wants to work for practically nothing and sell full color backs on darks for 12-15.00 I say go right ahead. The cost of dark tees used to be 1.70 or so, many are know hovering around high 2.60 to the 3.30 range.
Many times if a client such as a band or school wants say a 24-48 tees, we will sell the "Distressed/Faded" look. If they want bold and volume we sell our other avenues ahead of the t jet.
The inks are expensive and the maintenence is high for us to worry about selling 8.00 t shirts to clients.
Everyone is in a different boat I am sure, we have been around for 25 years with a fsamily name to boot and many other printing options so we are able to not solely depend on the T3 as our only business model.
In other words, you can not compete with traditional screen printers.
That's right.... and THEY can't compete with you! 25x 1-color white on black shirts is not the sweet spot for this machine! You definitely want to keep it humming every day to keep the ink flowing so go get some jobs!
Content is KING! Create some designs (or buy them) that feature the strengths of the machine and then sell them to niche markets.
Thank you both for responding to my question. You have been very helpful and I appreciate the advice and information. All this weekend I have been (and still am) attending the ISS Show in Long Beach, CA. I am getting some ideas from being there. And you are right, I do need to get some jobs.
If you would like to stop by our booth (2146) at the Long Beach Show I can have one of my techs go over your machine operation with you and I'll be happy to go over some marketing ideas and production ideas with you also.
I have a T-Jet Blazer Pro and have printed over 5000 shirts in 7 months with no problems at all. Well apart from a head clog but that was basically my fault for not switching the auto head clean over an Easter holiday of 10 days. It runs like a dream and prints the best shirts I have seen. The machine actually paid for itself in the fourth month I had it. Dont get me wrong you have to know how to look after it or it will break down but in general mine is very reliable.
I also have a speedtreater from Equipment zone and can highly recomend it. We can now pre treat exactly where we want to and very very fast. Going home with hair stuck together is a thing of the past now !!
You can see my pro in action here and on the U S Screen website.
This is a very big THANK YOU to Harry and Javier over at Equipment Zone. They took the time to talk to me at the ISS Show in Long Beach and really gave me some insight on the way they do things in their shop with regard to operating their T-Jet Blazer Pro efficiently. I really appreciate all of their advice.
Also, (and nobody told me to say this) I too have a Speed Treater and like it a lot. I highly recommend it.
Thanks so much for the update its always nice to see when a vendor takes the time to help someone out. That is what is so great about this business, is the people who are there to help along the way. Its amazing how a little info can help make things so much easier. By the way, the pretreater is my dream machine, and one day I hope to be able to afford one hehe. First I have to wait till I can start working again due to my back surgery.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Thanks so much for the update its always nice to see when a vendor takes the time to help someone out. That is what is so great about this business, is the people who are there to help along the way. Its amazing how a little info can help make things so much easier. By the way, the pretreater is my dream machine, and one day I hope to be able to afford one hehe. First I have to wait till I can start working again due to my back surgery.
Bobbie,
It's actually a pleasure being able to help. You have certainly done your own share. You've been a great moderator and contributor on this forum. Hope your recovery goes very quickly. I have a SpeedTreater waiting for you whenever you're ready
is anybody making money with stand alone tjet 
from me.
