A lot goes into choosing the perfect Direct-to-garment or DTG printer. Three key dynamics one should carefully assess before purchasing a DTG machine includes print speed, ink cost, and maintenance requirements. Of course, it helps to get recommendations from industry reviews and manufacturer’s top products list.
Why maintenance criteria matters?
Every business strives to keep production as economical possible today. This is especially true when managing a garment printing business. While there’s an increasingly urgent need for smarter, more efficient machines;it’s imperative that one understands that not all low-maintenance DTG printers fit the above profile. Therefore, research is a valuable asset to determine which combination works perfectly for the business. DTG technology has undergone a series of transformations since its debut two decades ago.
Reliability, cost, availability of components and reparability are highly sensitive matters to contemplate as part of the maintenance multi-criteria decision-making process. Essentially, some machines have mandatory maintenance prerequisites such as ink flushes to maintain the integrity of the system. While it’s an unwanted financial burden, it can be somewhat daunting to repeat the process. A common headache that has plagued the industry is cyclic clogging hazards that negatively impacts productivity.
Having a machine that features an effective white ink redirecting or re-circulation mechanism can curb this problem. This protects the print heads and eliminates ink starvation. In some instances, daily cleaning is mandatory. What’s more, some machine print heads get clogged in idle mode after a day or longer. Light cleaning can keep the blades and wiper free of debris or particles that can trigger clogging. Manufacturers usually share useful tips on how to care for DTG printers. How well users follow these guidelines determine the health of their DTG systems. They usually specify how long a machine should be left ‘idle.’
Is a blazing fast printer better?
Which company isn’t passionate about accelerating productivity nowadays? It’s at front of every entrepreneur’s mind to get ahead and remain relevant. With some powerhouse production-grade DTG printers clocking impressive speeds, it’s capable of completing up to 300 shirts within an hour. Slower machines might take as long as five minutes or more to finish one piece. High-performance DTG technology is typically pricier than the average printer clocking slower speeds. In the end, one should weigh the benefits and disadvantages carefully, taking into consideration the needs of the business.
DTG Ink against the dollar
Going into DTG t-shirt manufacturing, the type of machine one chooses can either break or make the business. A vendor of t-shirts has a lot to gain from using premium quality inks that are also cost-effective. Although higher-end DTG technology doesn’t come cheap, especially when it has specialized features, it’s important that one invests wisely. The smartest, most successful t-shirt vendors think of continuous production for the long haul. In a market that’s constantly growing, keeping a business booming means having the best-in-class product and a reasonable pricing model.
How can one beat the competition when consumers continually dread prices? This is another all-important factor one should seriously consider before buying a direct to garment digital printer. If the printer, consumables, and inks cost a fortune. The greatest challenge is keeping prices for printed garments fair. It’s the worst transaction an investor can be caught in. The worst case scenario is when a newly established brand travels this path. Honestly, it’s a business model headed for slow, painful death.