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Originally Posted by MikeyFingaz |  | | | | | | | | | After lots of aimless wondering around on the board, trying to absorb all this, I now have a question about "direct to garment printing"...
I seen one for like $14000.00 & it was SUPER cool... I didnt even know they had machines that do that... Is it like a printer that will print just like a regular paper printer but on a shirt instead??? | |  | |  | |
Yes you can print directly on the shirt. There are several models. The one mention for $14,000 probably is an "epson printer" that has been modified to print on a t-shirt.
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My question is, how expensive are these things... I still want to learn the old fashioned way because I have a genuine interest in the art of screen printing, but these "direct to garment printing" machines look like they could turn out a huge amount of shirts... | | | | | | |
Careful...
Not all
DTG Printers can pump out shirts.
I've owned 2 different brands.
I started with a t-jet tabletop model and it eventually offered an white ink upgrade. When i upgrade to white ink my problems started. I eventually sold it as we learned it didn't fit our business.
We learned that to print a dark shirt for my clients I could only get about 3-4 shirts an hour. But that would be "if nothing went wrong". So it wasn't very "production oriented".
Now the sellers of the t-jet do have "larger models" meaning you can print more shirts at a time but the white ink process on dark shirts have some issues with washibliity, steps to get a good shirt printed, etc. Only the person deciding on a machine can tell you if it's a good choice for you are not. It will really be based on if you have the "patiences and funds" to test, test, test to get the white ink printing process down.
After 12 month of ownership i sold it and replaced it with a "Brother GT-541. It's turned out to be a bette fit for my biz. I can't print "dark shirts" but that's ok i just order transfers when I need something on dark colors. I would rather "not print black shirts" than to be able to print them and they not hold up during washing, etc.
The brother is a real production machine. It can pump out 40 full size shirts or more per hour. Actually most prints are done in less than 1 minute. The print are more vibrant than any i've seen coming from other printers and without all the work involved to accomplish it. I've had 0 down time and shirt mess ups are rare.
Here's a few things I've printed on it;
http://www.rureadysports.com/yourshirts.jpg
NOTE: The first shirt is not a photo of the actual shirt the others shirts and towel are.
http://www.promotees.com/samples/mysamples.jpg | | Quote: | | | | | | | | | | |
I wouldnt ever buy one, unless I started to be really, REALLY successful & needed a faster way of doing shirts... I just thought it was a really neat piece of equipment. | | | | | | |
I love the
DTG Printing Technology but everyone has to decide when it's the right time for them to go that route. I don't have a slew of business just yet but I can get there doing custom work. I also have a few of my own designs I want to start to release.
As i said in the PM i sent you if you are really interested in the
DTG Printing technology you can learn more at;
http://www.inkjetgarmentprinters.com/forums/index.php
That forum coupled with T-shirtForums should give you everything you need to get the biz going.
If i can answer any direct questions let me know.