While screen printingapplies ink to cloth one layer at a time, DTG sprays ink onto a garment. Incontrast to screen-printed goods, often ordered in bulk, DTG offers on-demandorder fulfillment without any upfront costs. One of the most frequent andwell-liked techniques for printing personalized clothing is DTG. While screenprinting applies the ink in layers to the fabric's surface, DTG employs aunique printer designed for fabrics that works something like a computer inkjetprinter to spray the ink onto a garment.
The two methods usedmost frequently to print customized t-shirts are screen printing and DTG(direct-to-garment) printing. Consequently, how do you decide between screenprinting and DTG printing? The most cost-effective method for printing hundredsof shirts is screen printing. The least expensive method for printing a fewshirts is DTG printing. A labor-intensive process designed to generate hundreds(if not thousands) of prints quickly, screen printing is a tried-and-truetechnique for printing ink on textiles, apparel, and various substrates.
A nylon mesh screencoated in a light-sensitive emulsion is the first step in screen printing.After being printed, a negative picture (often on transparent film) is burnedwith a powerful light source into the emulsion. The emulsion dries (orhardens), but the negative image stays as a paste that can be removed withwater. After washing the negative picture, a screen printing specialist createsopenings in the mesh for the ink to pass through.
The print is thenoften dried at a high temperature (320 degrees F for plastisol, the mostpopular screen printing ink) to cure it (although there are dozens of othertypes of screen printing inks). The ink becomes incredibly robust throughoutthe curing phase. DTG printing inks also require curing (like screen printinginks). Most DTG printers cure their goods using a heat press or curing dryer.
Nevertheless, what isachievable is constrained by a screen printer's setup time. Screen printers canproduce a rapid, high-volume print. However, screen printing can be costlycompared to DTG printing if they need to print numerous patterns or just a few.With 72 prints, screen printing outperforms DTG printing in terms of efficiency.
DTG printing isfrequently the best option for artwork that is not suitable for screenprinting. Screen printers can employ DTG printing on artistic creations thatdon't translate well in the screen printing press because you don't need to separateor engrave screens. DTG printing provides a realistic alternative for clientswho want fewer than 12 pieces because screen printing is frequently noteconomical with low volumes. Knowing the order criteria makes choosing betweenDTG and screen printing less complicated.
Always remember thatthere are printing companies with more expertise than you. Many printersspecialize in complex prints, sophisticated screen art, and small-run DTGprinting. Don't compromise on quality if the buyer requests a large number ofprints with intricate artwork. Using a contract printer in a printing businessthat specializes in screen printing intricate mimicked processes is somethingto think about (or try to separate and print it yourself).
I bought brand-new; allof these manufacturers make excellent DTG printers. However, remember that DTGprinters don't preserve their resale value, unlike screen printers. You candiscover deals on old DTG equipment. In comparison to screen printing ink, DTGink is significantly more expensive. DTG inks are frequently made for printersfrom a particular manufacturer, even though there are several ways to reducethe cost of screen printing ink.
And to top it off, DTGink has a shelf life. As with Plastisol screen printing ink, you cannotpurchase it on sale and put it aside for a future project. The EZPREPpretreatment system is currently produced by M percent 26R, which also producesthe M-LINK range of DTG printers. Additionally, they have made significantinvestments in hybrid screen printing, which combines DTG applications with abottom substrate printed with a screen.
Remember that your DTGprinting company management software is just as crucial as your printer. DTGprinting can also be done with screen printing management software likePrintavo. With the appropriate advice, you can get screen-printed t-shirts thatare incredibly soft. You can't feel the print because it is created usingspecific inks and screen printing techniques (such as discharge inks).
DTG printing istypically less expensive than screen printing for small quantities (under 24pieces). Screen printing is typically less expensive than DTG printing fororders of a significant quantity (more than 24 units). Some numerouscombinations and breakdowns go into screen printing. Screen printers need toprint numerous shirts to make the operation financially viable. This is becausemanufacturing screens, setting them up on the press, and breaking andreclaiming them all come at a cost.
A typical industryminimum is 24 t-shirts, though this break-even figure can differ.
Almost without ashadow of a doubt, a DTG printer will be quicker when printing a singlet-shirt. While DTG printing continues to be at the same level of production andprofitability whenever you need more than 24 garments, screen printing hasbecome considerably faster and more affordable. DTG pricing is shown in blue onthe following chart, whereas screen printing prices are shown in red. As youcan see, at least at first, screen printing costs are prohibitive.
However, as quantityincreases, DTG printing takes longer and costs more, whereas screen printing ismore reasonably priced. T-shirts and other customized goods look fantastic whenprinted using DTG and screen printing. What then is better? DTG and screenprinting could be compared based on factors such as print quality, productionspeed, cost, etc.
In the end, there is atie between DTG and screen printing. To claim that a decorating technique isthe best or the only way to attain the result would be unfair, given the sheernumber of variables involved in the bespoke clothes industry. And what is theultimate objective? to turn your client's concept into a reality. We adviseanyone exploring a new decorating technique to focus more on printing preciselywhat the consumer wants rather than worrying about the specific decoratingtechnique they choose, whether they are thinking about purchasing a DTG printeror trying screen printing.
When screen printingand embellishing unique outfits, you appear more like a barber than a massproducer. You are in charge of designing a personalized experience thatconsiders client requirements. Become an expert in your field so you can pointconsumers toward customizations and decorations they'll adore, increasing yourbottom line. A digital image design is printed on the garment usingdirect-to-garment (DTG) printing.
DTG printers provide amore effective method than screen printing, and they have advantages, includingtime and money savings, effective production, and the need for only oneoperator per machine. DTG and screen printing are essentially equivalent interms of quality. DTG is preferable for smaller batches with more complex colorrequirements and detailed designs, whereas screen printing is suitable for bigvolumes and single-color series. Over the next five years, we anticipate theemergence of dozens more DTG printing providers and manufacturers.
DTG printing includesusing a digital printer to print directly on the fabric of the bespoke garment.Choose DTG for things like photographs unless you're an expert at printingcomplicated works of art (unless the customer requests a large quantity).Depending on the scope of your project, some custom garment businesses onlyoffer one or the other, while others give you a choice between DTG and screenprinting. The sole distinction is whether or not you would choose to screenprint a shirt instead of using the DTG procedure to create it.
After the design hasreceived the customer's approval, it is loaded into specialized printingsoftware housed on the DTG apparatus. There are numerous variables and aspectsto consider with DTG printing, so it is not as easy as hitting a button. Theyprovide a long list of offerings and services in addition to DTG printing and astrong support team with access to a wealth of educational materials. BecauseDTG printers require less setup and setup and have a quick turnaround time,prices may be maintained cheap (as low as 24 hours).
DTG printing is idealfor urgent orders like those requiring a few shirts in less than 24 hours.Because shirts can be quickly printed with the DTG technology, the cost pershirt is substantially lower than screen printing. Other items directly relatedto fabric, such as stretch canvas, murals, personalized pillowcases and covers,quilts, and other items, can also be printed on by some DTG printers. DTGprinting is the way to go if you want to start your print-on-demand e-commercefirm, expand into a new market, or grow your current operation.
DTG printing enables aquick and inexpensive production process and lowers the cost of garmentpreparation.
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