Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Hello all,
I am about to get into business with two friends and I am back and forth on what type of equipment to invest in. The type of business is custom printing at local events (car shows, motorcycle rallies), as well as internet sales of limited run unique designs. One friend is the artistic side and the other is the tech side. I am the marketer, and organizer.
I currently have a DK-20 heat press and an Epson 1280 photoprinter. Our goal is to invest in the equipment once, and get the best piece for our needs. I understand I have most of the equipment for heat transfer, yet I want the best possible quality for our customers. Can anyone give us any pointers? Thanks in advance!
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
If you have $20,000 for a DTG set up, then its a viable option. Your quality of prints will be better with a dtg vs. inkjet transfers. Does your business model support a $20,000 expenditure?
Hauling a DTG around, especially using it at outdoor events, will be iffy at best. Humidity and dust will be issues. Search at the top of the page, there are other user experiences in using a DTG on the road.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Splathead,
Thanks for the response. At this point, I'd rather not spend that kind of money (20K) for a DTG. I've been doing nothing but research and the physical environmental factors plus inexperience at our level have me leaning towards the transfer option. I just have fears of a not-so-professional result for my shirts. We may just have to start small and overcome our fears with the best product we can possibly produce with the equipment at hand. We were entertaining a 9,000.00 investment into DTG, but we also want to avoid as many headaches as possible. Any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks again. This site has been fantastic and the people on it are truly great.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
DTG is still a pretty new technology on the market. I was also looking at getting a DTG, but opted not to because it's almost in its beta stage. A lot of them are based off epson printers or are actually modified epson printers. Epson doesn't like this (so not sure which way it's going to go).
Either way, I see tons of used DTGs on the market, why? Too many problems right now.
This is not to say, there are some sound machines out there, but not enough to make me confident in such an expensive technology.
I would wait it out for another couple of years or 5.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Tshirtguru,
thank you for your input. I have the same feelings you do. Expensive, unperfected technology, plus our lack of experience fuels my decionmaking process. I hate to say that I'm leaning towards a less professional product, but that may be the case. Still up in the air.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTROD01580
Tshirtguru,
thank you for your input. I have the same feelings you do. Expensive, unperfected technology, plus our lack of experience fuels my decionmaking process. I hate to say that I'm leaning towards a less professional product, but that may be the case. Still up in the air.
So you are trying to sell printed garments on the spot with stock designs right (stock designs meaning your friend will design for the event and you will be making the shirts?
Why not look into plastisol transfers? They are screen printed transfers where you just press them as you need. They feel and look like reg screen printing (it is actually screen printing.....but you heat press them on).
Custom plastisol transfers are made by a vendor and they send it to you.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Tshirtguru,
Once again, thanks. I have not done any research on plastisol. Is this something I can do with a screenprinting press myself? While I do not have one yet, it is in the future for us as we build profit from the beginning. One aspect of our business will be original arwork/text from our artist. The other aspect is photoquality printing onto apparrel. I now have another homework assignment is plastisol. Interesting.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTROD01580
Expensive, unperfected technology, plus our lack of experience fuels my decionmaking process.
My question is, if you believe this to be unperfected technology why would you buy a used machine like the Tjet 2 or the Kiosk 2 that isn't the latest technology?
__________________
BelQuette Inc, 877.202.0886 & Screener's Choice, 330-345-5877
Mod1 Direct to Garment Printer, Made in the USA www.belquette.com
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeridHill
My question is, if you believe this to be unperfected technology why would you buy a used machine like the Tjet 2 or the Kiosk 2 that isn't the latest technology?
The answer is capital. At this point, I don't have the kind of money to invest in the product you are offering me. I can come up with 9000.00 and you offer me a product for 18000.00. Last time I checked, that's double what I can afford.
Plus, unperfected technology doesn't mean that the product is useless, it means that the future may hold a lesser expensive unit, that is very reliable.
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTROD01580
The answer is capital. At this point, I don't have the kind of money to invest in the product you are offering me. I can come up with 9000.00 and you offer me a product for 18000.00. Last time I checked, that's double what I can afford.
Plus, unperfected technology doesn't mean that the product is useless, it means that the future may hold a lesser expensive unit, that is very reliable.
I am trying to help out here. You are unsure of this unperfected technology but may possibly buy a used machine that IS quite possibly the unperfected technology you are wanting to shy away from.
All I was getting at is, why buy used if you can buy new updated technology. If you can't buy new, then I would suggest investing in a different technology at a lesser price and when you can afford it, go the route of the newer DTG printers.
__________________
BelQuette Inc, 877.202.0886 & Screener's Choice, 330-345-5877
Mod1 Direct to Garment Printer, Made in the USA www.belquette.com
Re: Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business
Jerid,
Thank you for your replies. I am currently at an impass here. I understand exactly where you are coming from yet I found it odd that I was being solicited for equipment twice the price of what I am willing, or able, to spend. I'd love to be able to spend the money and get what I truly believe to be the right piece, but I can't at this time. I still can't figure out if a DTG printer, at the price I can afford, wil be overspending for what I intend to do. I feel it's the right piece of equipment, but is it?
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Can't decide which is the better investment, heat transfer or DTG for my future business 
