Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing allows small businesses to create customized apparel and merchandise efficiently. With a DTG printer, designs can be printed directly onto fabrics like t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, shoes, bags, and more.
While DTG printers require an upfront investment, they can save time and open up new revenue opportunities through on-demand production. For creatives, entrepreneurs, print shops, and clothing brands, a DTG printer makes it possible to react quickly to trends and bring vibrant designs to life.
In this guide, we’ll review the top DTG printer options for small business owners and discuss key factors to weigh when choosing the right model.
How DTG Printing Works
The DTG printing process allows an image to be transferred directly from a printer onto a textile surface. It differs from traditional screen printing methods that require creating separate screens for each color.
With DTG printing, the fabric is secured tightly into the printer. Then a pretreatment solution is applied to prepare the fibers to absorb the ink. The image is printed directly onto the pretreated area using inkjet technology. The ink bonds instantly with the fabric, resulting in a soft and stretchy print.
After printing, the fabric runs through a heat press to cure and set the ink permanently. The end result is a vibrant, high-quality print that feels smooth and natural as part of the garment.
Benefits of DTG Printing
Compared to other apparel decoration techniques, DTG offers some unique advantages:
High-Quality Prints: DTG printers feature powerful inkjet technology that produces professional, photographic image quality at up to 1440 dpi resolution. The prints are very soft and stretchy since the ink bonds with the fabric fibers.
Unlimited Colors: Using CMYK ink, DTG printers can produce millions of colors in one image. This allows for photorealistic prints, complex designs, and subtle gradients.
Lower Setup Costs: DTG eliminates the need for screens like traditional printing. There’s no plate burning or color separation required. This makes short production runs and custom one-off prints much more affordable.
On-Demand Capability: With DTG, there’s no minimum order quantity. You can print exactly what you need when you need it to respond quickly to customer orders and shifts in demand.
Versatile Printing: DTG printers can print on all types of apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, leggings, hats, totes and more. Some specialize in printing on dark fabrics as well.
For small businesses, DTG printing checks all the boxes: affordability, quality, customization, and on-demand order fulfillment. Next let’s look at the top recommended models on the market right now.
The 5 Best DTG Printers for Small Businesses
1. Brother GT-381 – Best Overall
The Brother GT-381 is an excellent, high-performing DTG printer perfect for startup clothing lines, print shops, and small businesses. It‘s compact, reliable, and very easy to set up and use.
This printer accommodates apparel up to 14 x 16 inches in size. It uses Brother white ink to achieve bright prints even on black and dark colored fabrics. The maximum resolution is up to 1200 x 1200 dpi for incredibly sharp, photographic quality.
The Brother GT-381 prints quickly at up to 355 sq ft per hour. So you can fulfill many custom shirt orders in short time. It also features an ink recirculation system to prevent clogs and maintain print quality over longer periods.
For excellent value and performance right out of the box, the Brother GT-381 is a fantastic option to launch or expand a t-shirt printing business.
Key Features:
- Prints on dark fabrics
- Integrated pretreat function
- Prints up to 14”x16”
- Speed: 355 sq ft/hour
- 1200×1200 dpi
2. Epson F2100 – Best for High Volume
For printing higher volumes efficiently, the Epson SureColor F2100 is a top choice. It accommodates oversized apparel up to 17 x 22 inches, nearly doubling the print area compared to smaller DTG printers.
The Epson F2100 features powerful print speeds, delivering a dark fabric print in as little as 26 seconds. So it can fulfill many orders quickly while maintaining stunning quality. The high-precision 10-channel printhead produces exceptional detail and clarity in designs.
This DTG printer also includes handy utilities like print job management and accounting software to optimize workflow. And it has automated maintenance features that reduce downtime and maximize production capacity.
For established clothing brands or printers ready to scale up production, the industrial-grade Epson F2100 allows expanded print capacity to keep pace with sales volume.
Key Features:
- Oversized 17”x22” print area
- Speed: Up to 515 sq ft/hour
- Integrated pretreatment
- Powerful 10-channel printhead
- Automated maintenance
3. Polyprinter TexJet Echo2 – Best for Beginners
For a novice-friendly DTG printer with exceptional quality, the Polyprinter TexJet Echo2 hits the mark. It features an intuitive touchscreen interface and simplified ink system compared to industrial models.
This printer accommodates garments up to 14 x 18 inches in size. Despite the compact footprint, it delivers stunningly detailed prints comparable to the highest-end printers. The HD printhead provides up to 1440 dpi resolution for precision graphics and photos.
The TexJet Echo2 also comes with user-friendly design software. Right out of the box, it’s simple to load garments and start printing dazzling designs even for first-timers. Yet it still meets the demands of professional production environments when needed.
For designers, small businesses, and home-based entrepreneurs getting started, the Polyprinter TexJet Echo2 excels in ease-of-use without sacrificing print quality.
Key Features:
- Easy setup and operation
- Simplified CMYK ink system
- Prints up to 14” x 18”
- 1440 dpi high-definition prints
- Compatible design software
4. Colman & Company Batch – Most Versatile
The Colman & Company Batch DTG printer provides exceptional versatility for printing directly on any fabric type. It can print on light or dark garments spanning cotton, polyester, spandex blends, leather, denim, and more.
This printer accommodates items up to 1 inch thick and extra-large formats up to 18 x 21 inches. Notably, it can print on irregular shaped objects like sleeves, jeans, sweatpants, aprons, towels, and unconventional canvases.
On the software side, the Batch printer is compatible with all major graphics formats for seamless design workflows. It also includes handy tools like print spooling, hot folders, and custom ICC color profiles to refine images.
For unrivaled fabric compatibility and extra-large print capacity, the Colman & Company Batch empowers unlimited applications from garments to textiles.
Key Features:
- Prints on any fabric type
- Extra-thick & oversized items
- Prints on sleeves, pants, etc.
- Powerful RIP software
- Appointment scheduling tool
5. Belquette Mod1 – Best for Printing Speed
For lighting-fast fulfillment of t-shirt orders, the Belquette Mod1 is the top contender. This industrial DTG printer boasts blazing speeds up to 2x faster than competitors.
The Mod1 prints a typical 12 x 14 inch dark garment in just 24 seconds. The high-powered print carriage houses a flexible printhead to rapidly cover large surface areas. It accommodates items up to 14 x 22 inches in size.
This printer also features a smart ink circulation system to prevent nozzle clogs during such rapid speeds. And the onboard computer allows easy access to printer diagnostics and maintenance to prevent slowdowns.
For shops needing to crank out high volumes of custom tees every day, the Belquette Mod1 delivers exceptional speed without compromising stunning print quality.
Key Features:
- Lightning-fast print speeds
- 12”x14” dark shirt in 24 secs
- Prints up to 14” x 22”
- Smart ink circulation
- Easy maintenance & diagnostics
What To Consider When Buying a DTG Printer
With many DTG printer models now available, it’s important to weigh the key factors below that impact quality, productivity, and operating costs:
Print Quality – Ensure the printer offers stunningly high print quality and resolution to showcase designs. Many top models now print up to 1440 dpi for photographic reproduction.
Print Size – Consider the max print size to accommodate the types of apparel you’ll produce. Standard printers support up to 14 x 16 inches. Larger models can print oversized formats.
Speed – Faster print speeds allow higher order volumes. Industrial printers now print a typical shirt in 30 seconds or less to maximize throughput.
Pretreatment – Most printers now integrate pretreatment application for simpler workflows. This prepares fabrics to receive ink and ensures a long-lasting print. Consider cleanup needs as pretreat can stain.
Ink Costs – Proprietary ink formulas can vary widely in cost per ml across brands. Calculate cost per print to fit your budget. Also factor replacement frequency and yields.
Software – User-friendly printer software goes a long way for ease of use. Ensure included RIP software is compatible with your graphic design tools as well.
Support – Check reviews and testimonials about the manufacturer’s reputation for customer service and support responsiveness. Technical skill needs vary across models too.
Considering these aspects will help match a DTG printer both to current business volumes as well as growth plans for the future.
Do You Need a DTG Printer?
For many small businesses, outsourcing printing may still prove more affordable than acquiring and operating a DTG printer with all the related supplies, maintenance, and expertise needed.
Every business situation differs. But if some of the following apply, investing in a DTG printer may make strategic sense:
- You print over 50+ units per week
- Per-unit profit exceeds $10+
- Offering custom/personalized designs is key to your brand
- You want to scale design offerings over time
- You need very fast turnaround on print orders
- You want to reduce reliance on print suppliers
As DTG printers come down in price, print volumes needed to justify purchasing one also lower. For less than $10,000, there are quality starter models available now that deliver great value for early-stage clothing brands.
Start Printing with DTG
Thanks to advancing print technology, DTG makes it easier than ever for small businesses to add customizable apparel to their product mix.
DTG printing eliminates the need for bulk orders, offering on-demand production to test or quickly scale up new designs. This agility lets small brands cater to trends and build fiercely loyal customers through personalization.
While an upfront equipment investment is required, the ongoing print costs of DTG can prove very economical at smaller volumes compared to outsourcing. More importantly, DTG printing gives businesses back control over their production capacity and timelines.
As you evaluate printer options, consider both immediate business needs as well as future goals. With a bit of planning, a DTG printer can become an invaluable asset to grow your small business.
