[37Performance]

As I posted in my introduction thread I'm looking to start a printing business to fund my tuition. I would like to get into doing custom orders as well as promoting personal designs and printing for big events. I have been looking into DTG printing simply because the set up is alot faster and the designs and colors are more diverse. Does anyone have any direction I may be steered in to male a good start? Also does anyone have a clue of what I should be expecting as an initial investment and what all will that investment cover other than just a printer

 

[rhilferding]

DTG machines are, in general, quite expensive. If you have the space, I would consider a 4 color manual printing press and a small dryer. You should be able to buy it for much less than a DTG machine, the cost per shirt is much lower to print, and the output is much greater.

What would be even better is to try and get a job with a printer and get paid to learn! We are always on the look out for people motivated to learn our industry.

Good Luck!

 

[IYFGraphics]

An entry level DTG is going to cost you in the $12k range, you'll also need a heat press, shirt blanks, a computer with enough power to run Photoshop/Illustrator (or some form of software to create/edit your work), and the RIP software for the printer, needs to be in a climate controlled room, and if doing dark shirts you'll need a area away from the printer to pretreat shirts.

Then you'll need training to use the DTG printer correctly, maintenance items, spare parts, spare ink..etc.

For all you'll invest you could probably pay for a year of college.

JMHO

 

[Leg cramps]

If your just starting out go to a local screen printer and ask if they contract print.They will give you a price sheet and go over it with you.Get a blank catalog from a wholesale apparel suplier with their price sheet.now go out and get a customer.price out his order,add what you want for profit.the customer may already have camera ready art.if not you must either do it yourself with a program like illustrator or photoshop.which being enrolled makes you eligible for great discounted software.or you must send idea to printer to do art,which he will probally charge you 25-35 an hr to do.once hes done go pick up your shirts and deliver to the customer and collect your money.I usually charged half down half on delivery,that way the customer is paying for shirts and printing not you.so there ya go ,no overhead no hassles of printing.good luck! Eric

 

[jsf]

One word ----> GOODLUCK.