We are considering converting a large internal transfer printing and heat seal operation to DTG. We are looking at Kornit but wonder if there are any serious competitors to their machines. Durability is a major factor since they will need to run at least two shifts. We understand CafePress is using them and wonder if anyone has any information on how they are doing with them.
Welll the VIPER will do the same i have run mine for days after days on a 3 8 hour shirtf basis, and do know of ohter business who have a number of them doing the same with very little if no issues at all and 99.9% of the issues bieng the operator not the machine
I know the I-Dot has customers running them on 2-12 hour shifts. As far as speed goes they are generally quicker then most. But if you compare how many $20,000 machines you can buy for the cost of the Kornit there is no comparison on times/shirts printed. Plus then god forbid a machine goes down you would at least have a couple other to fall back on. If you only have 1 Kornit then you are down. Just my opinion, you should get sample prints from all major companies and see how you like them. Send some of you art work to them and have you send it back on a blk/wht shirt.
We'll MOd1 why do we get emails 3 days ago with this thread on it "Latest Threads" ???
Hmmmm, my guess is someone posted on it and it was self promotion and it was removed. You are most likely subscribed as a viewer of the Kornit threads.
That's my guess, but I'm not an admin of the board so I couldn't tell you. Also, Jerid is fine, Mod1 is a machine. Although some people may argue I'm a machine, I would simply say, I am not.
Plus then god forbid a machine goes down you would at least have a couple other to fall back on. If you only have 1 Kornit then you are down.
AGREED! Nice to Have a Back Up or 2! Difficult w/a $250k Investment. Not to mention the space for the machine & dryer. Buy 2 iDot, HM1 other smaller units and get comparable production to the Kornit. Now that the other inks are approaching $200 a liter, Kornit is losing its edge.
The "per liter" cost of the ink is not a direct comparison of final ink cost; the Kornit ink has a viscosity rating almost twice that of the Dupont inks, giving it better yield for less amounts of ink. This is one reason that the Kornit prints cost so much less than Dupont prints, and won't likely be surpassed anytime soon.
You also have to consider things like print size, speed, etc; sure you would have redundancy with multiple printers (I am a huge advocate of multiple printers), but if you have to limit your print area from 14-15" wide, to suddenly having to print 12.5" wide, you are no longer comparing apples to apples. The fact of the matter is that each printer offers its own unique advantages and drawbacks; it is up to the individual business owner to determine what offers the most benefits to THEIR business model.
And yes, to each his own; not every machine will fit every business model. It is very important to first determine what features / characteristics are most critical to your business model, and then expand your search from there.
Serious competitors to Kornit? 
