Help please from anyone based in the east midlands, England, UK who's working with a DTG machine.
I'm seriously thinking in buying a garment printer and would be forever thankful to someone who could have me as a guest for a day or two (promise not to be a pain, and not to slow down your work load) in order for me to have an idea in first hand, to how all works and have a chat over lunch time (paid by me, it will be a pleasure ) about subjects related to the machines and industry.
Anyone??
Thanks in advance.
When I lived in Nottm I went to see "Yes" in North Notts. I decided against DTG machines completely and contracted that section of work out whenever it came in.
Even the company I used to print DTG for me weren't happy, the machine was down more than it was up. Results onto white were OK, blacks were a waste of time. General opinion seems to be that whilst the technology is headed in the right direction it's far from there yet.
DTG printers are incredibly expensive and from what I've seen are very slow. You need to have an extremely strong marketplace to make them pay for themselves and most folk don't seem to be able to justify the hefty investment.
I find between vinyl, sublimation, solvent transfer and screen printing I have no real need for a DTG machine.
Thanks Justin,
I've got a demonstration booked with them after tomorrow Wednesday 19th, and I'm very curious about the all thing special the results on blacks as I never saw a DTG printer working live, unfortunately missed last "Sign & Digital UK 2008" fair, so what I know about them is what I've seen in videos which it's a bit diferent from the real thing.
Your point is very good and a reality check, I'm doing sublimation and got the means to do vinyl, and to say the true I don't have a customer base that big yet that "need" a DTG machine, so I'll see how it goes on wednesday, but I'll defenately think twice about it.
Thanks for your input.
I purchased a DTG machine but found that I would have been better off buying an ink jet printer to deal with light colours, and if you want something a bit more special arrange to go to see The Magic Touch as they have a system called WOW transfers which allows you to make transfers with a white masking that can go onto dark garments. It is a lot cheaper than a DTG, looks better and probably lasts longer.
I have since traded my DTG for an embroidery machine as I felt that I am more likely to make use of an extra embroidery machine than I am of a DTG!
Another good show to attend in the UK is the Printwear and Promotion show which is usually held in Birmingham in February.
I wouldn't rush into it though. As well as transfer systems there is also plenty of companies out there that will make transfers for you at a qty of 25 and also screen printers who will print at wholesale on your provided clothing. If you want any more information, let me know.
Take your own art on a usb stick. Make sure it is for dark shirts and has hi-light whites. Do not let them use their own art.
Time them to see how long it takes to print your design from start to finish. If they are using pretreated shirts then you need to add the time it takes to do that as well. I think you will be shocked at how few shirts you can print in 1 hour.
Next work out how many shirts you need to sell to get your money back on the machine + inks+ pretreat+ running costs. Then factor in your wages for the time it took you to print all those shirts. Don't forget the maintenance time and downtime + spoilage.
Very few people make 'decent' money on DTG for darks with an epson based printer.
Thank you both, Janine and Dean for your advice.
I'll go to see magic touch, because my thing with transfers is that with washes they always end up braking. Had the idea (maybe wrong) that a printed t-shirt would last longer?
Embroidery is the "other" part of the business I always wanted to add. Have booked a provisional place on a SWF 1 day embroidery training course, with Yes ltd on 2nd of December to see how all works and if I can do it. Don't know yet how much it will cost, but will find out on Wednesday. The DTG HM1 cost £10,545.00
Dean, I had thought about take a couple of my own designs to print there, as on their email they said:
"... Unfortunately all our stock of sample t-shirts have already been sent out. Rather than sending you one out on Monday, I think it would be easier for you to print some samples for yourself when you come here next week and that way you can see how straight forward the process is." but was wondering if it would be to cheeky to ask them to let me print my own stuff??? What I can do is take with me a few blank t-shirts from my stock?
Anyway you're right, If I want a good measure of timing and costs, it's the only way to do it. And I'd have to sell in excess of 60/70 tees per day, to pay for all the costs and have a bit of profit, which it's a all loooaaad of t-shirts.
Thanks again,
I think that the boat is starting to change route, but I'm still looking forward to the experience, and I will let you all know how it went.
Kind regards.
Carlitos
A good embroidery machine is the Toyota. These are £7,500k plus VAT. Another good Brand is Barudan who are based in Nottingham. Give Dave Crabtree a call on 0115 963 7579 (tell him that Janine Chrispin suggested you call). As well as embroidery machines he also has a DTG there.
Thank you both, Janine and Dean for your advice.
I'll go to see magic touch, because my thing with transfers is that with washes they always end up braking. Had the idea (maybe wrong) that a printed t-shirt would last longer?
Embroidery is the "other" part of the business I always wanted to add. Have booked a provisional place on a SWF 1 day embroidery training course, with Yes ltd on 2nd of December to see how all works and if I can do it. Don't know yet how much it will cost, but will find out on Wednesday. The DTG HM1 cost £10,545.00
Dean, I had thought about take a couple of my own designs to print there, as on their email they said:
"... Unfortunately all our stock of sample t-shirts have already been sent out. Rather than sending you one out on Monday, I think it would be easier for you to print some samples for yourself when you come here next week and that way you can see how straight forward the process is." but was wondering if it would be to cheeky to ask them to let me print my own stuff??? What I can do is take with me a few blank t-shirts from my stock?
Anyway you're right, If I want a good measure of timing and costs, it's the only way to do it. And I'd have to sell in excess of 60/70 tees per day, to pay for all the costs and have a bit of profit, which it's a all loooaaad of t-shirts.
Thanks again,
I think that the boat is starting to change route, but I'm still looking forward to the experience, and I will let you all know how it went.
Kind regards.
Carlitos
Taking your own stuff to print is good as it allows you to see the process from start to finish. It is always easier for companies to perfect the process with their own artwork, but not show you how easy/difficult it actually is to start from scratch.
Hi everybody,
I'm back, been a bit busy as it's not easy when you just started your business, so much stuff to take care of, that your start to spin.
But as arranged I went to Yes Ltd. annnnnndd was a very nice afternoon and learned quite a bit.
Andy new what he was doing, and was nice to see all the process from the pre treatment on the black t-shirts to the actual printing.
It takes a bit of time, much faster on whites, and yes like everybody says it's not a 100% straight forward operation special on blacks, but I think it's like that with all the other makes?
Noticed that on black tees after a close inspection was a slight problem with the fibers sticking up, and being noticeable on the design even on the finished product, they said that depending on the make of the tees some are more noticeable than the others, but happened to all of them, even on different makes, Pre treatment not right???? Temperature??? Pressing time???
After printing quite a few tees and not without a few hiccups, turned my attention to the embroidery machines.
A few nice models. Not cheap if you want to go for a brand new 2 head dual function 12 colours but very very nice, and the capacity to do 2 different designs at the same time on 1 machine (dual function) it's a great feature. If a tread brakes on one of the heads the other one keeps on working.
So conclusions?
After a bit of head scratching and cool thinking (I'm starting to learn to control myself and not jumping into situations head on) and after some advice from you guys (and girls) I got to this conclusion.
I will not be buying a TDG machine after all. Not for now, at least. Then to spend almost 15K on a new 2 head embroidery machine (with 1 cap frame, instalation, and training) without knowing if I'll have work enough for it is a bit risky, so back to first stage.
I started to do sublimation printing for personalised gifts in first place, but want to add some other stuff to have a wider customer base, and it was when I thought about the TDG and embroidery machines, as I'm doing tees anyway by subli or heat transfers.
I think if I come across any embroidery work I'll accept it, get it done somewhere else and go from there. Less profit (if any) but less investment and still get the customer.
Maybe a better investment for my line of work would be a Roland Versacamm VP540 printer/cutter.
Don't get me wrong but I've got to do something to have a bit more than sublimation, or am I a bit crazy??
Thank you all for your views and advice, well appreciated.
Regards
Carlitos
Last edited by Carlitos; November 28th, 2008 at 02:45 PM.
Reason: spelling mistake
Hi Carlitos
Well you are doing the right thing and not jumping in as it can be a big mistake, and a costly one to boot
I like your self have always been doing subli items from mugs cups plates and so on aswell as T`s but wanted to do more and try attract more customers.
After a lot of reading and hints and tips from all the great members on here, i went down the line of the vinyl system to start off which i do now.
It was a great decision and has payed off very well, and with in 4mths all the costs for the items (various cutters from A4 to 54") i have had the money back and more.
You think in this line that the top machines like the DTG is best to get but like you i went and spend a day checking it out and was not very inpresses, out of 12 items done 2 turned out good to my knolage.
I bought myself a embroidery machine not so long ago so as to do business logos as was been asked if i done them, so i bought a cheap model and that in it self has payed for it self.
I`m going to buy a simular one as you mention in the new year, but as many will tell you, a good 2nd hand machine will do the job just as good as a new one, and will save you a lot of money.
I`m looking at geting the Brother PR620 in the new year.
There is also many good vinyl cutter printer combo machines on the market which look good, but i`m not sure which is best but the main thing is for you to take your time in choosing and not jump in.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your input . It's always nice to hear from someone that had done the same kind of jobs.
I thinking of a Roland Versacamm VP540 because of the variety of jobs anyone will be able to do with a machine like that, and I think will be a good investment specially if I can get the promotion that Grafityp are doing " Recoup the costs" that consist in if you buy the machine from them they'll give enough rolls of media and a set of inks that will cover the cost of the machine, (after you using the media for work that you will do) even if it's not quite like that, it's always a big help in getting you to start.
So at the moment I'm looking into it because kinda complement the work I'm doing plus offer a lot of different money making possibilities.
Any comments / point of views will be well appreciated .
kind regards.
Carlitos
East Midlands Area(England) Help Needed 
and would be forever thankful to someone who could have me as a guest for a day or two (promise not to be a pain, and not to slow down your work load) in order for me to have an idea in first hand, to how all works and have a chat over lunch time (paid by me, it will be a pleasure 
) about subjects related to the machines and industry. 
Re: East Midlands Area(England) Help Needed 
.
