Yes, its my understanding that dye sub is only for polyester and things like coffee mugs.
Dye sub starts as an ink and a transfer. But when you press the transfer the ink turns into a gas.
How does thermal paper in fax machines work?
I'm thinking of adding DTG to my conventional screenprinting business and am researching equipment. Since your business seems to be entirely DTG, what brand machine do you use? Know anything about others? Any info woud be appreciated.
This is info is very helpful for me, thanks, alot for starting this thread. Now, lots of my confusions are cleared and i hope it will be very helpful for many other people also.
I'm thinking of adding DTG to my conventional screenprinting business and am researching equipment. Since your business seems to be entirely DTG, what brand machine do you use? Know anything about others? Any info woud be appreciated.
Yes, we do about 90% dtg, mostly contract work, we run a fulfillment house too, and sell shirts to many "handy" type people (electricians, plumbers, power cleaners, etc.) who only want 10 or 12. Not to mention the people who want their race cars on shirts, special events, and some fashion designers. Some folks insist on digital, even for large runs. The feel and detail is amazing (epson heads).
My business runs a flexi jet long model. I purchased this model because it has a huge printable area and is white in capable. When not doing huge prints, I can print off more than one garment at a time. I can tell you, I looked at every dtg printer on the market and do not regret my decision. Yes, I still wish it was faster, but ink costs are on the money. Not to say that the flexi is slow, but every dtg printer probably wants a faster machine. Printable area was a big factor in my decision. Even some other contract printers with large printable areas, for some reason, turn down anything that will not fit on their platen. We just make bigger platens.
There are a few good threads on "which dtg" over in the dtg section of the forum, so I won't get into discussing the differences. But I will say, I have been close to buying a brother, but the ink costs are through the roof, though it is fast. The only other dtg I would consider at this time is an HM1, but a 13x22 is just shy of what I need, and I'm pretty sure thats their max size. My next machine will probably be a small model flexi.
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DTG contract printing - www.funkyoaktree.com - Lights and Darks.
Direct to Garment, Screen Printing, and Relabeling Fulfillment with Drop Shipping.
While DTGs can produce some amazing detail, after conducting a cost benefit analysis, screen printing is the way to go...and yes I own a DTG. As a matter of fact, I sold my manual press system to sink $17K into a dtg machine that will print on dark as well. Guess what, I just ordered a new manual system.
There is SO much up-keep with the DTG. Up-keep not only in time but also in money. Now while DTGs are great for, let's say, putting a photograph on a 5 shirts. It sucks for doing a 50 shirt one color job. Even with the screen creation and reclaiming, screen printing is quicker and cheaper AND as a result you see more profit.
While DTGs can produce some amazing detail, after conducting a cost benefit analysis, screen printing is the way to go...and yes I own a DTG. As a matter of fact, I sold my manual press system to sink $17K into a dtg machine that will print on dark as well. Guess what, I just ordered a new manual system.
There is SO much up-keep with the DTG. Up-keep not only in time but also in money. Now while DTGs are great for, let's say, putting a photograph on a 5 shirts. It sucks for doing a 50 shirt one color job. Even with the screen creation and reclaiming, screen printing is quicker and cheaper AND as a result you see more profit.
Just my humble opinion.
Since you are buying another manual press, what role do you see for you DTG in your shop?
I'm trying to decide to buy one to supplement our manual and our automatic screen presses. We want to be able to personalize shirts that we have already screen printed and to do extremely short runs (less than 12).
Since you are buying another manual press, what role do you see for you DTG in your shop?
I'm trying to decide to buy one to supplement our manual and our automatic screen presses. We want to be able to personalize shirts that we have already screen printed and to do extremely short runs (less than 12).
In your experience, worth it? or not?
I think we will use it for sample shirts and for small 8-12 shirt runs. The only concern that I can see with personnalizing a silk screened shirt is two different types of inks and textures.
If I was to so something like you are talking about, I think I would get one that can print multiple shirts and not a one-head machine. I am not endorsing any machine but something like a T-Jet. I think you can print 3 shirts at once. Just remember that even if you are not printing with the DTG daily, you are still having to push ink through the print head. Otherwise, the heads can clog and you have to get a new head.
Good call Fred - Screen printing is an art, registration and stroke are key elements. In my experience, screen printing is a nicer looking job when finished, but transfer vinyl and a heat press are also a big part of a screen printing shop for names and numbers on sports uniforms, and the set up for a short run or single shirt is much easier than trying to burn screens.
My partner and I print over 20,000 t-shirts a year and all are done with transfers. We've said for years that we haven't figured out why anyone would do it any other way. We only work part-time at this because we both have other jobs. We have runs of from 30-1000 shirts per order and supply mostly schools and hospitals. We have a great set up in the 4' extention of my garage.) We have a compressed HIX machine that we've had for almost 20 years without one repair. We love what we do and just keep growing.
I'm reading this forum like a book. very exciting !!!
Actually I'm busy collection information about all the different methods to produce custom designed garment and put it in an excel sheet to compare it and then decide which way to go.
We have been in embroidery for over 16 years, sublimating for nearly 3, Pad printing for 2, and have just started screenprinting. We have started with just one colour screenprinting to get the hang of it before moving up. There is no help here at all, so I am grateful to this site for helping me so much. We havent started burning our own screens as we are limited to space, so I cut the design on vinyl, weed, and place it on the screen. We have done some really intricate one colour prints this way. It does however only last for about 150 - 200 prints, which suits us fine. I am also not able to afford a flash dryer, so we heat gun, and then press for 3 secs with our heat press, and it gives a great finish and totally cured. We have only learnt the hard way, by trial and error.
This is a discussion about Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
Re: Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method 
Re: Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method 
Re: Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method 
Re: Pros and Cons of Each T-Shirt Printing Method 
very exciting !!! 
