Not Sure Which Industrial Printer Is Right for You? Here’s the Insight

Choosing the right industrial printer is important for the long-term success of your decorating business. The quality of your work depends on the quality of the machine you use to produce it. Much like a race car driver needs a well-maintained, high-performance vehicle to match their skills and win the race, a print shop needs the right equipment to get the job done, achieving the highest level of quality with the fastest turnaround time.

Production speed, profitability, and print quality are the top factors when you’re selecting an industrial printer. These three elements directly correlate to your print shop’s output, making it a major business decision. Whether you’re a rookie starting out in the professional printing industry or a seasoned veteran looking to update or expand your printer fleet, understanding the key features of industrial printer types and the factors influencing your business will help make the decision easier. Let’s dive into the details and get you on the path to success!

Four Types of Industrial Printers You’ll Want to Explore

The first step in selecting the right printer for your shop is understanding the various printers, their functions, and the market they reach. The four most common printers in the garment decorating industry are direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTF), thermal transfer, and industrial inkjet. Each printer has a different technology, which offers a variety of options that decorators can use to match the needs of their customers.

Here’s an overview of the features and benefits of each one and how they can boost your profitability.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG printers use a water-based ink that embeds directly into the garment's fabric. This popular technique allows printers to produce just one custom garment or thousands, and it can print full-color designs or images. This is an excellent option for customers with a full-color, elaborate design, including gradients, or just wanting a few pieces to get started.

It’s also great for the eco-conscious consumer since water-based ink has less waste compared to screen printing. When a customer is concerned about how the print will feel or breathability, DTG is an excellent option because the ink almost becomes part of the garment. It’s smooth to the touch and lets air pass through, allowing the skin to breathe rather than a thick print that blocks airflow.

The downside of this technique is that it doesn’t work on every type of garment. For example, dark garments or fabrics containing polyester require a pre-treatment solution, which adds to the cost and time to produce the finished product. While DTG allows for quick turnaround times and low quantities, it can be a more expensive decorating technique than screen printing, resulting in sticker shock for the customer. Despite those setbacks, running a DTG printer is relatively easy and overall lower maintenance than screen-printing presses, making it an attractive option for decorators.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing

DTF is becoming a rising star in the garment decorating industry. Unlike traditional methods such as screen printing or DTG printing, DTF printers transfer designs onto film, and then you use a heat press to transfer the design to the fabric. Like DTG, DTF allows you to print more complicated designs, including those with gradients, and for smaller quantities; however, it can be applied to a broader range of materials, making it a more versatile decorating technique. The full-color prints are relatively smooth when you run your hand over them, which can appeal to customers who don’t want the thicker, bulky feel of screen-printing ink.

Purchasing a DTF printer, like the Pioneer 24 4-Head, 8-Head DTF Printer System reduces labor and prints higher volumes faster, saving you time and money. Depending on the size and volume of your print shop, consider the Pioneer 14 DTF Printing System, which has a smaller footprint but still prints quickly. If you aim to increase profitability by being more efficient, a DTF printer is a wise investment for your print shop.

DTF printers use film and adhesive to create the print. Many shops absorb this expense by including it in their pricing structure. Industry experts note that producing your transfers is more cost-effective than outsourcing them.

Also, DTF printers require continuous climate monitoring. When the humidity or temperature of your shop is out of the normal range, it can affect the quality of your print. However, with the right methods to manage the climate, a DTF printer can be a fantastic investment for your print shop!

Dye-Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation printing has become a popular decorating technique offering a broader selection of colors, patterns, and versatility, allowing printers to decorate various materials from apparel to promotional items and banners. The sublimation printing process transfers dye onto materials using heat and pressure, creating a high-quality, vibrant print that becomes part of the fabric. With this method, you can print all over the material, offering greater possibilities for design creativity.

You’ll also generate minimal waste compared to other traditional printing methods, making it a great option to attract eco-friendly customers. Our knowledgeable team at Arcus Printers can help you select the right dye sublimation printer depending on the width and speed you need to print. We offer the Leviathan 3216 Grand Format Sublimation Printer with the capacity to print up to about 5,700 square feet per hour or a smaller format SQD 1802 Sublimation Printer with printing speeds up to about 800 square feet per hour.

Remember that dye sublimation works best on polyester fabrics or items with a polyester coating. This imprint method isn’t effective on dark materials because the process relies on the white base of the substrate for color visibility. However, even with those limitations, a sublimation printer can be a great investment to expand your printing capabilities beyond standard apparel requests.

Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer printers use heat to transfer ink from a ribbon onto a substrate, such as paper, plastic, or fabric. Purchasing a thermal transfer printer for your shop would expand business opportunities to greater heights, allowing you to decorate almost anything. But is it the right decision for you? Thermal transfer printers are slower than others, especially when printing high-resolution graphics. They’re excellent for monochrome and spot-color printing; however, they typically don’t support full-color printing (CMYK), which limits their use for complex graphics or photographic-quality prints.

Thermal transfer printing requires substrates that can handle heat and bond well with ribbon ink, so it may not work effectively on all materials. Before purchasing a thermal transfer printer, evaluate your current market needs and consider your goals for expansion. Creating a one-stop shop where your customers can buy promotional items and apparel may be a wise investment.

Consider These 5 Things to Make Your Decision

Now that you know about the most popular industrial printers, it’s time to examine the factors influencing your equipment choice for your unique shop.

Production Volume: What’s your current production load? Choose a printer with the capacity to produce an output that matches the volume of your orders. If you already have a full production schedule, you need a printer to support that volume and make you more efficient.
Print Quality: The quality of your printing speaks to the quality of your work. Select a printer that produces vibrant colors with sharp resolution and compatibility with various fabrics. When you produce high-quality prints, you set yourself apart and improve your reach with new clients in different industries.

Speed and Scalability: How quickly do you need to run jobs, and what size jobs are you currently generating? Choose a printer that will support your print shop’s efficiency and volume while offering the capability for more. Faster printing and larger output mean higher profitability in the long run.

Cost Considerations: Consider the current cost of managing your machines and any limitations they present for your shop. Ink and consumable expenses can add up, as can maintenance. When selecting a printer, considering these factors helps you establish a baseline and stay within budget. While the initial investment in a printer can be overwhelming, the potential profit growth can outweigh the price. It’s a smart idea to do an ROI projection to see how quickly you can recoup your investment. In addition, review your financing options to see what works best for your shop.
Durability and Maintenance: Choosing well-engineered machines made with high-quality materials is important. Look at the printer’s warranty and the vendor’s customer service support. These factors ensure minimal downtime, keeping you in production and profitable.

Need More Help Selecting Your Printer?

Selecting the right printer for your shop can feel stressful, but confidently choosing the right one is well within reach when you have the best resources and information at your fingertips. Whether you want to upgrade your current printer or expand into new modalities, Arcus Printers has you covered.

We offer a wide selection of printers, including DTF, Dye Sublimation, and UV DTF, as well as printing supplies to keep you going. Our knowledgeable team can help you find the perfect match for your shop. Enhance your business and get a tax break while you’re at it!