With my background in starting and scaling clothing businesses, I know for sure that printing can be a game-changer. DTF printers and DTG ones can be perfect for customizing products like T-shirts, custom mugs, or unique home decor. So, I did some research and want to go through the best DTF printers for a small business to take your business to the next level.
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What is the best DTF printer for small business
1. A4 T-Shirt DTF Printer
If you’re looking for the best DTF printer for small business, check out the RocRow A4 L8058. It’s a great choice for DIY transfers and small business needs.
Price: from $1,799
A4 T-Shirt DTF Printer
- Printing resolution 1440×1440 DPI
- 16kg weight
- 2-in-1 automatic cleaning and waste ink collection system
- It’s perfect for T-shirts, hats, handbags, and more, with a maximum print width of 8.6 inches.
- Easy-to-setup software
What you’ll get:
- L8058 A4 DTF printer with XP600 print head.
- Handheld heat press for transfers.
- 2 sets of 5x250ml ink.
- 100m A4 transfer films.
- DTF Powder: 2x500g.
- Cleaning and Protection Liquids: 250ml each of nozzle cleaning and protection liquids.
- Extras: 4 T-shirts, software & tutorial videos, printed user manual, and other essential accessories.
2. A3+ DTF Printer L1800
The DTF Printer L1800 is all about high-quality and versatile DTF printing.
Price: from $3,299
A3+ DTF Printer L1800
- Can print on leather, toys, swimwear, and textiles.
- Enhanced print speed with the PRO RIP software
- Suitable for beginners
- 3-month warranty
What you’ll get:
- A3+ DTF Printer L1800
- Heat transfer oven (included in the Printer + Oven bundle)
- Ink set
- Transfer films
- Adhesive powder
- Cleaning solutions
- PRO-RIP software and instructional materials for easy setup and use.
- User manual
3. A3 Powder Shaking Machine
The A3 Powder Shaking Machine is focused on powder application and drying.
Price: $1,278.00
A3 Powder Shaking Machine
- 13.7 inches (350mm), suitable for standard A3-sized prints
- Automatic powder rewinding
- Adjustable powder control
- Compatible with various mediums, including nylon, chemical fiber, cotton, leather, swimsuits, PVC, and EVA.
What’s included:
- A3 Powder Shaking and Heating Machine: The main unit ready to integrate with your DTF printer setup.
- Power Cord and Ethernet Cable: For immediate setup and connectivity.
- User Manual: Detailed instructions to get you started without hassle.
- Customer Support Access: Should you have any issues or need assistance, support is just a contact away.
Best DTG printer for small business
4. Automatic A3 Size T-Shirt Hoodies DTG Printing Machine
The Automatic A3 DTG Printer offers a high-tech solution for printing on T-shirts, hoodies, and other garments. It integrates simultaneous white and color printing and automatic height adjustment.
Price: $5,699
Automatic A3 DTG Printing Machine
- Automatic height adjustment
- Compatible with PCs and print media including glossy photo paper.
- Can handle up to 90 sheets in its input capacity
- User-friendly controls
What You’ll Get
- Automatic A3 DTG Printer
- Free RIP9.0 Software
- USB Cable to connect your printer to a PC for straightforward setup and operation.
- Detailed instructions to help you maximize the use of your new printer.
- Customer support access
5. A4 DTG Printer T-Shirt Printing Machine
The A4 DTG Printer is a machine for printing directly on a variety of garments including shirts, onesies, socks, and bags.
Price: $3,199
A4 DTG Printer Printing Machine
- Printing on both dark and light color T-shirts expanding its usability
- The printed images are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and colorful, ensuring longevity and quality
- Supports printing from various image formats such as TIFF, JPEG, JPG, BMP, PSD, etc.
- Adjust the print height
What you’ll get:
- A4 DTG Printer
- Included textile inks to start printing immediately.
- Data Cables to connect the printer to your computing device.
- USB Cables (Gray and White) for data transmission.
- User manual to set up and operate the printer.
- Backed by a 30-day easy return policy and dedicated support.
6. Automatic A3 DTG T-Shirt Printing Machine
The hrm Automatic A3 DTG T-Shirt Printing Machine is a solution for custom apparel creation. Ideal for a range of textile applications from t-shirts to jeans, this DTG printer integrates advanced automation features with user-friendly controls.
Price: $5,300.00
Automatic A3 DTG T-Shirt Printing Machine
- Can handle both thin and thick materials
- Automatic and manual adjustments
- A five-color ink system (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White, Black)
- Remote management of printing tasks
- Equipped with USB 2.0 for compatibility with PCs
What you’ll get:
- A3 DTG printer
- Ink set
- USB cable
- User manual
- Access to professional support for any questions or issues
Dtf vs Dtg vs Sublimation: which is better for a small business?
Let’s look closer to DTF vs DTG vs Sublimation – each has its quirks and perks, depending on what you’re going to use it for in business.
DTF printing
How It Works: DTF (direct-to-film) printing involves printing designs onto a special film using liquid ink, which includes CMYK and white ink. After printing, a powder adhesive is applied to the printed film, which is cured (or melted) under heat. After that this prepped film is heat-pressed onto the fabric, transferring the ink and adhesive to the material.
Why choose DTF:
- Works on different materials including cotton, polyester, blends, and more unusual substrates like leather or nylon without specific pre-treatment for each fabric type.
- Creates vibrant, durable prints that can endure washing without fading quickly.
- Capable of high-detail prints with good color fidelity.
Ideal For: Businesses looking to print on diverse fabric types and items that are not flat, like caps, bags, and shoes.
DTG printing
How It Works: DTG (direct-to-garment) printing means spraying water-based inks directly onto the fabric using inkjet technology. The fabric usually requires pre-treatment with a liquid primer to ensure the ink sits well and shows vibrant colors, especially on darker fabrics. After printing, the ink is cured using heat to make it wash-resistant.
Why Choose DTG:
- Produces high-quality, detailed prints with a soft hand feel, perfect for detailed designs.
- Best for small to medium-sized orders that require high detail, like intricate custom designs or photographs.
- Primarily used for cotton or high-cotton blend fabrics.
Ideal For: Custom apparel businesses, especially those focusing on cotton garments like t-shirts and hoodies.
Sublimation printing
How It Works: Sublimation turns solid dye into a gas without passing through a liquid state, embedding the dye into polyester fabrics or polymer-coated substrates. The design is first printed on special sublimation paper using sublimation inks and then transferred onto the material using high heat.
Why Choose Sublimation:
- Produces vibrant and sharp images with unlimited color usage that becomes part of the substrate, offering no texture or weight to the touch.
- The color doesn’t fade or crack because it’s embedded within the substrate.
- Sublimation can print on hard surfaces coated with a polymer layer, such as mugs, coasters, and metal sheets.
Ideal For: Businesses that print on polyester fabrics or a wide range of non-fabric items, perfect for both garments and promotional items.
| Feature | DTF | DTG | Sublimation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing Process | Print on film, transfer with heat | Print directly on the fabric with inkjet | Print on paper, transfer via gas |
| Fabric Compatibility | Wide range (cotton, polyester, etc.) | Best on cotton and light-colored fabrics | Primarily polyester and polymer-coated |
| Ink Type | CMYK and white pigment inks | Water-based inks | Dye inks |
| Color Vibrancy | High | Moderate to high, depending on fabric | Very high |
| Texture | Slight hand feel | Minimal hand feel | No hand feel |
| Durability | High | Moderate to high | Very high |
| Setup Cost | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Run Suitability | Small to medium runs | Small runs, on-demand | Medium to large runs |
| Versatility | Excellent on various materials | Limited to textiles | Excellent on both fabrics and non-fabric items |
| Pre-treatment | Not necessary | Usually necessary | Not necessary |
| Ideal Use | Custom apparel, promotional items | High-quality fashion items | Sportswear, promotional items, hard goods |
Sum Up
Selecting the right printer can significantly influence the success and efficiency of your small business, especially if you specialize in customized apparel or promotional products.
Making a choice, consider the types of products, the volume of production, and the quality of print required. Also, factor in the initial investment and operational costs. While DTF might offer more versatility with a lower cost per print, DTG could be the better option for achieving exceptional quality on cotton garments.
Tetiana is a business coach and owner of IStartHub, a business media for ambitious female entrepreneurs and small business owners.