Great looking designs on t-shirts are printed out from the best t-shirt printing machines. I will list down these same best direct to garment printers for t-shirts and explain later why they are excellent choices for beginners just like you. I hope that this will help you make up your mind as to which piece of equipment is the right one for you.
What are the best t-shirt printing machines? The Direct to Garment (DTG) Printers are:
- Brother GTX
- Col-Desi (DTG Digital) M2
- Epson SureColor F2100
- M & R MLink X
- Kornit Breeze
- Ricoh RI 6000
This DTG shirt printing machine will be the centerpiece of your print shop. Every part of your business will revolve around it. And that is why you need to closely evaluate each printer for t-shirts that is available out there.
Brother GTX
Machine Size: 55” x 51” x 21”
Weight: 260 lb
Platen Sizes: Maximum 16” x 21”
Adult Platen 14” x 16”
Youth Platen 10” x 12”
Baby Platen 7” x 8”
Ink Type: Water-based pigment ink
Ink head type: Piezo head (on demand)
No. of ink heads: 2 print heads
Print resolution: 1200 dpi x 1200 dpi
Print Mode: CMYK – single or multiple; white – underbase and highlight
Data Output: USB or file output
Price: $22,500
This particular model of DTG printer can give faster print speeds with better quality, easier handling, and permits you to stand out above your competition.
It also comes with an automatic white ink circulation system and a wet capping station. The benefits here of these features are easier maintenance and lessened clogged nozzles. The latter issue is a DTG printer’s nightmare.
This printer can work with Innobella textile ink which permits you to use a wider gamut of colors and that also comes with great clarity.
The available platens and large gaps over the substrate can allow printing for t-shirts that has zippers, seams, pockets, and others.
This DTG printer for t-shirts can be placed on a bench or table but can also be operated with its own custom stand. I would suggest that you go with the latter option so you can make use of the open bottom design that will help control the humidity around this shirts printing machine.
You need to apply a pretreat solution either manually or using a device if you will be printing using white ink. Dry the t-shirt using a heat press or conveyor oven.
Set the heat press machine at 356 F for 35 seconds. Use a conveyor oven if you have bigger production volume and set the temperature at 320 F for about 3.5 minutes(brothergtx, Brother GTX Direct to Garment Printer Specifications).
It is best to always refer to the dryer manufacturer’s handbook just to be sure.
Col-Desi (DTG Digital) M2
Machine Size: 39” x 48” x 21.7”
Weight: 212 lb
Platen Sizes: 24” x 17.7”
Ink Type: Genuine DTG pigment ink
Print head: Piezo 180 nozzles per channel
Ink delivery: Bottle with pressurized CMYK or bottle with pressurized recirculation white (WIMS)
Price: $19,995
This is considered one of the best DTG printers because of the simple reason that you can operate it using the 2 platens at the same time.
Imagine the time savings that you will get since you can print 2 t-shirts at the same time.
Users also like this DTG printer for t-shirts since it allows them to work with XL-sized imaging areas.
The White Ink Management System or WIMS can give you a unique white ink production system. You will get excellent detail, vibrancy, and a level of consistency that tops what other direct to garment printers can give.
Also, head clogging can be reduced significantly. This is because of the ink being recirculated constantly with the use of a pressurized pump system together with pressure release dampers and filters.
This digital t-shirt printer also delivers a separate pressurized ink delivery system for colored inks as well.
Epson SureColor F2100
Machine Size: 39” x 59” x 20”
Weight: 183 lb
Platen Sizes: Maximum 16” x 20”
Medium 14” x 16”
Ink Type: Ultra Chrome DG ink with 5 colors
Ink configuration: CMYK, WH
Print resolution: 1440 dpi x 1440 dpi (white ink) and 1440 dpi x 7200 dpi (color ink)
Interfaces: Hi-speed USB, flash memory and ethernet
Price: $17,995
First, I will warn you that you can only use Epson inks with this DTG printer. However, you are not being shortchanged here since these inks are safe to use, vibrant, and durable. You will also pay the same price for both color and white inks.
You will find savings in terms of ink usage since this DTG printer does not waste any when regular maintenance is being done to it.
This shirt printing machine has a Light Garment Mode that can print twice as fast as the previous model with consistent print output quality. White and colored inks can also be simultaneously printed therefore making this printer very efficient and productive.
You will also appreciate the quick loading mechanism of its platen which will save you additional time. The self-cleaning system that it comes with will lessen your downtime.
This is one of the quietest DTG printers around so using it inside your house is not a bad idea. Its polished looks add to its suitability in at home t-shirt printer setup. You have to plan as to where you will place it on top of since it does not come with its own stand.
Epson’s own proprietary Garment Creator Software can increase your productivity much further. Some of its features include cost estimation, color management, layout and text placement management, and ink control.
Ink curing times with heat press are 45 seconds for either white or colored inks and 75 seconds for white and colored inks at 338 F temperature. If used with a heat conveyor, it would be 3.5 – 4.5 minutes for white and 4.5 – 5 minutes for white and colored inks at 320 F temperature.
M & R MLink X
Machine Size: 54” x 65” x 56”
Platen Sizes: Maximum 36” x 48”
Price: $74,995
Here you are investing a big amount immediately with this DTG printer. Let me put your mind at ease and tell you that it is not a bad decision that you are buying this printer for shirts.
As the only standalone DTG machine, this device projects an industrial look because of its rugged steel frame and squared edges.
Its price, obviously, is definitely not cheap.
However, you can consider the following advantages you can get with this outstanding DTG printer for t-shirts.
- Can print all colors under 1 minute with superior image quality
- Print quality is often associated if not mistaken for water-based screen print final products
- Ink saving modes with bulk ink supplies gives you the lowest cost per print costs
40% color improvement feature compared to the previous generation model
- Its software can convert digital art files to printed images with superior shading, maximum sharpness, outstanding color accuracy, and life-like skin look
- Minimal ink wastage since recirculation is constant every 30 minutes under a closed system setup
- Has an ink cost calculator so you can estimate job cost without the need of doing a test job
Kornit Breeze
Machine Size: 45” x 59” x 27.5”
Weight: 210 lb
Platen Sizes: Maximum 14” x 18”
Print heads: 6
Ink configuration: CMYK, WH
Print resolution: Up to 1200 dpi
Price: $65,000
The shirt printing machine of Kornit Breeze was developed with small businesses in mind.
That is why industry experts regard it highly because of its superior reliability and minimal downtime period.
Its own Neopigment ink process comes with an automated pre-treatment already. If you are looking for an eco-friendly DTG printer for shirts, this has the lowest carbon footprint of the entire bunch.
It has one pass white ink and CMYK printing for faster production. You can also print on different types of garments coming from all kinds of t-shirt vendors.
This DTG printer boasts of this new software that will enable you to handle the web to print workflows.
Gas dryers are the recommended curing equipment device for this particular clothing printer.
Ricoh RI 6000
Machine Size: 19.8” x 42.3” x 44”
Weight: 180 lb
Platen Sizes: Maximum 14” x 18”
Ink channels: 12
Ink configuration: Water-based pigmented CMYK, white ink
Print resolution: 600 x 600 1200 dpi
Price: $35,000
This equipment is among the fastest DTG printers for t-shirts. It was timed to print a light-colored t-shirt at 27 seconds. If your design is sized at 12” x 10”, this printer can print it in merely 51 seconds.
You can easily handle a print job with a big volume if you have this particular machine to print t-shirts. A graphic design with a large size should also present no problem for your printing shop.
Since this DTG printer can only work with water-based inks, you will be getting brighter prints with your own designs. The ink will be dyed into the cotton garment which makes people who wear these t-shirts feel that the design is part of the t-shirt itself.
You can refer to my previous article Water-Based Ink VS Plastisol Screen Printing, Pros and Cons for more information with these two main types of inks. You can also refer to this other article for additional details – What Kind Of Ink Is Used For T-Shirt Printing.
This print machine for t-shirts uses a closed-loop circulation system for white inks. This system makes handling white inks more reliable and accurate. White inks tend to get clogged easily, which is a major headache for DTG printers.
This DTG White Ink Problem That All Garment Printers Dread, Tips On Maintenance And More article should go over more about this issue. You will also get maintenance and other helpful tips from this same article.
You will also like the auto table height adjustment feature of this printer. It will make printing garments depending on their thickness easier because you just have to turn on a quick switch to make this happen.
By the way, Ricoh also purchased Anajet who is also in the business of manufacturing DTG printers. The Anajet MP5i model (priced around $15000) is their most common model out there today and which shares a lot of similarities with the Ricoh model discussed earlier.
Why Buy A DTG T-Shirt Printing Machine
I am positive that you are wondering as to why only DTG printers are listed in this article.
DTG printing is relatively new when compared to screen printing. Currently, this type of printing can give savings in terms of supplies, manpower and time while generating excellent prints.
And DTG printing is getting more popular.
According to the ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute), a survey conducted shows that 75% of respondents believe that DTG will grow in popularity in the succeeding years. And as a possible printing shop business owner, you may find that the ASI also pegged that profit margin for this printing type at 30%.
There are many printing shops out there who have since included DTG printing in their offerings. They combine this with screen printing which they assign to handle long production runs while limiting DTG printing to short and on-demand print jobs. They find that this strategy is sustainable and effective.
Screen and sublimation printing are the other 2 commonly used printing methods today. You can check out my previous article Best Sublimation Printers For Beginners – Ultimate Buyers Guide for reference. Also, I will be coming out with a separate article that will list down the best screen printing machines that are available in the market today.
Things To Consider When Buying Your T-Shirt Printing Machine
Now that I have finished presenting and detailing the best DTG equipment available in the market, I would like to give you further tips when making your selection.
Availability Of Funds And Pricing DTG Print Jobs
I hope you have set aside a specific budget when you were doing business planning for this particular purchase.
If so, you did right and now the challenge is to stay within budget. It is indeed difficult to stick to one especially after you have studied the different printers for t-shirts out there.
If in case you have not set a budget, consider the available funds you have. Consider a specific printer for t-shirts that is affordable and that will not make you take out loans or max out your credit cards.
Remember that you are just starting in this t-shirt printing business and more likely than not, you will not be making money initially. The challenge is to sustain your operations while you are operating in the red.
Since we are talking about money matters here, you should also know how to arrive at the right pricing for your DTG products. The goal here is that you will incorporate all of your expenses and add a markup that will make you earn money.
You can refer to my article How To Price Direct To Garment Printing For Largest Profit for reference on this subject.
Warranty And Training
This warranty matter is very important and you should consider when making this particular purchase. An extended warranty, if offered, should be always considered assuming that it is within budget.
Repairs of these printing t-shirt machines are not cheap and obviously, there will be downtime when they are not running. As a beginner, this will be a burden for you since you will be stopping your operations.
An accepted rule of thumb here is that reputable companies offer a warranty for their printer for shirts.
They simply would not mind repairing or replacing their defective DTG printing machines right away. They will protect their brand or make of t-shirt machine. Lack of action would tarnish their reputation and a negative review can definitely affect their sales.
A related matter to warranty is training. These printing shirt machine providers should make time to show you the ropes in using their printers. If not, insist on training for you and your colleagues.
DTG Printer Quality And Speed
You have heard of this before that quality comes at a price.
It is not a stretch to see the link between high-quality products with a high-quality printer. You and your business will definitely end up benefiting if your targeted printer is rated highly in terms of quality.
And that is why your budget set previously should make an allowance for this rule. Do not go for the cheapest one available since you might regret this later. Instead, pay serious attention to the reviews around such as in this article.
When evaluating these printers, check for the production speed that you will be getting. I am positive that you will come to the point later where you will be getting a large number of orders. The speed of your digital printer for t-shirts is critical in making sure that you can accept additional orders in terms of volume and quantity consistently.
Size Of The T-Shirt Printing Machine
It is not unheard of for people to ignore this part when buying their DTG printer. They simply forget about this detail most often and they realize how big this mistake is. they don’t realize this until they bring it to their home or their printing shop.
Please pay serious attention to the dimensions of this printer for the t-shirts that you will be handling. Measure the space that you have allocated for it and see if it would fit properly. Some of the equipment detailed here can be placed on top of a working table so keep that in mind also.
Also, account for extra space around these t-shirt machines for you will be moving around it to operate it properly. Equipment like this would not be comfortable to work with if they are restricted in space. Sufficient space is needed to make allowance for the heat that they would be generating.
Another thing to consider here is that the print size indicated for the equipment above is critical. They will set how big the art design that you can print. You may be turning down business here if your customers are asking for larger prints in their orders.
Capability To Print Other Products
I would recommend that you think of printing other items aside from your t-shirts. Maybe not when you are starting, but definitely once you are operating and have become more familiar with the business.
You want to give your customers other products. Sure, t-shirts are classics and everyone wears them. However, diversifying your printing business into other products such as caps, canvas, shoes, towels, and others is not a bad thing.
You can even consider bundling these additional products with your t-shirts and offer a great package for your customers.
Plan for this eventuality now.
And that is why this particular DTG printer that you will be buying is ready to handle other products. You will end up getting other equipment if this earlier one is not ready to handle these items.
DTG Printing And Other Tips
I would like to share more of my knowledge about this printing method.
DTG printing will work well with certain fabric types. Read this previous article Choose The Best Fabric For Each T-Shirt Printing Method for helpful tips on this subject. It will also give you additional insights on DTG printing preparations.
Pretreatment is something that you can not ignore when handling DTG print jobs. This is especially needed if you will be printing on dark-colored garments. You need to get your hands on the most effective pretreat solution that will permit you to come up with the best DTG prints.
You can read on this subject more with this article – Best DTG Direct To Garment Pretreatment For T-Shirt Printing.
Lastly, you obviously need to have knowledge of this printing method. If you know how to use a computer and printer, then you should be on the right track here. It should follow the same principle.
I would recommend that you go ahead and see a printing shop that handles DTG printing. If you can see how they actually handle a print job, then it would be great.
There are also plenty of resource materials available online that will give you all you need to know. I have a couple of articles that will hopefully be of value to you regarding this subject:
