Best T-shirt Printing Machine for Small Business | Top Pick for 2023

Q: What Do You Need to Start a Printing Business?

The Equipment Needed for a T-shirt Business Printers. The printer is one of the essential items you'll need. Computers. You'll need a PC or Mac to use with graphics and cutting programs for our t-shirt business software. Graphics programs Transfer paper Heat press Cutter

A T-shirt printer is what you need to get started, whether you want to start your own T-shirt business or want to create some custom t-shirts to wear.

The creation of digital printers in the 1960s significantly impacted businesses. Similarly, small businesses want t-shirt printing machines that are quick, efficient, and cost-effective.

The market for digital printers has been growing. According to research, the global Textile Digital Printing Machine market was valued at USD 333.1 million in 2020, and it is expected to reach USD 437.1 million by 2027.

In this article, we’ve put together a list of t-shirt printing machines for small businesses that are both useful and productive.

Why Do Small Businesses Need T-Shirt Printing Machines?

Small businesses need T-shirt printing machines for the following reasons.

1. Simple and Effective

Printing machines are simple to use and need little setup time. Furthermore, they operate seamlessly, allow you to monitor their performance via smartphone apps, and require little maintenance.

2. Meet Work Demands

Printing equipment lets you complete finished items on schedule while accepting seasonal or last-minute requests.

3. High Quality and Large Quantities

Printing machines can produce in large volumes while maintaining exceptional quality.

4. Cost Effectiveness

Printing equipment will also allow small firms to save money. It may include abandoning outsourcing in favor of in-house production. Similarly, you may save money by printing only what you need.

5. It Saves Time

In-house printing saves you time and enhances your operations as compared to outsourcing.

T-Shirt Printing Methods

The following are the most prevalent t-shirt printing methods:

DTG Printing

If you want ease, such as placing your shirt in the machine and obtaining your printed tee, a direct-to-garment printing machine is ideal for a premade shirt.

DTG is the finest method for printing on 100% cotton or 75% cotton mix t-shirts.

Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation printing has a plethora of printing applications. It employs heat transfer paper, which melts the ink into the cloth when pressed using a heat press.

You may cover different print regions whether the cloth is sewn or unstitched.

Furthermore, you may print on polyester-based garments such as jerseys, polyester shirts, jackets, and polyester caps.

The disadvantage of sublimation printing is that the print is prone to losing color over time, owing to regular washing and exposure to bright sunshine.

Silk Screen Printing

Silk screen printing is one of the oldest and least expensive printing methods when done in mass. The print will stay the longest if adequately cured.

The printing is a bit complicated and requires prior skill. You’ll also need screen printing tools and equipment, including mesh screens, film positives, squeegees, flash curing units, conveyor dryers, and screen printing machines.

Although the printing costs are the lowest, if you are on a tight budget and have a tiny firm that handles a few orders, this option is not for you.

Best Professional T-Shirt Printing Machine for Small Business

#1. Ricoh Ri 1000

This DTG printing machine designs clothing like t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags. Full-color images may be printed in less than 10 seconds. Print high-resolution images on black and white cotton or polyester textiles using CMYK+ white pigment inks.

The printer recognizes the thickness of the garment automatically. As a consequence, the table height is adjusted for proper printing.

Furthermore, the printer has auto clean, white ink agitation, and a continuous ink supply, making it simple to operate and maintain.

#2. Coldesi DTG G4

The unique vacuum platen is the most significant advantage of selecting DTG G4 over Epson F2100. Epson includes a regular medium-sized platen.

As the name implies, the vacuum platen produces pressure beneath the shirt, securely holding it in place. As a result, it requires less maintenance than the Epson F2100.

Because the vacuum plate sucks ink down into the shirt, you get a friendly and vibrant print using less ink and less overspray on the inside.

#3. Freejet 330TX Plus

The Freejet 330TX plus can print on cotton and cotton mix fabrics. Most crucially, you can print on clothing made entirely of light and dark polyester.

Full-color, full-detail designs may be printed effectively on 100% dark and light polyester, dark and soft cotton, and mixes.

The automated print height adjustment will set the print height automatically, saving time and effort in manual height adjustment.

It has a powerful ink delivery mechanism, which removes the requirement for cartridge-based systems entirely. You can effortlessly replenish your ink bottles as required without having to bother with ink cartridges or clutter.

The automated white ink circulation minimizes white ink separation by circulating the white ink throughout the day. As a result, it lowers the need for numerous head cleans, saving money on white ink.

#4. Aeoon Compact Micro DTG Printer

The tiny DTG printing machine is an excellent alternative for established businesses or startups. It is offered in two different configurations.

The machine has two printing stations and can print at a maximum size of 4045 cm/ 1618 in.

You may print dark shirts at up to 120 pieces per hour. For customized design needs, the pallets can be changed.

Furthermore, you may print at 600 dpi resolution and with higher quality on cotton, blended fibers, and polyester.

#5. Brother GTX

The GTX is Brother’s fourth-generation DTG printer. It employs two print heads to cover a larger print area. The full-color display shows the picture you’re about to print and its location on the platen.

Furthermore, the printer has 800 MB of internal storage. It has a capacity of 100 print files. It improves workflow and increases productivity.

The Innobella textile inks print at a rapid rate while preserving sound quality. All the printer’s connection ports are located on the front of the printer for easy access.

Ink-tube cleaning is a thing of the past thanks to white ink circulation and wet capping technology. As a result, it saves time, money, and ink.

#6. Roland VersaStudio BT-12

The Roland VersaStudio BT-12 is the most affordable DTG printer.

The VersaSTUDIO BT-12 workspace is insufficient. It’s good for young people and smaller bodies, but not for adults.

The dimensions of the two printhead DTG printer are 15.7″ by 27.5″ by 11.5″ in height. Using a piezo ink-jet technique, the direct-to-garment printer prints 50-100% cotton fabric at a maximum resolution of 1200 dpi x 1200 dpi.

It employs CMY & K textile pigment ink configuration. Finally, you may submit print files in PNG, JPG, TIFF, PDF, and BMP formats, with a maximum upload size of 10 MB.

The ink cost is relatively low, a considerable benefit, but it is sluggish in large orders (an average of 50-100 pieces per day).

Conclusion

Printing machines provide several advantages to small enterprises. As a result, deciding which one to buy might be difficult.

Before making a purchase, you must invest significant time and study.

We wish you success and hope our top 6 t-shirt printing machine recommendations help you make an informed selection.

If this article has been of help to you, please drop a comment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a T-shirt Business Profitable?

Selling T-shirts with your artwork, thoughts, or anything else printed on them is a terrific way to express yourself while also making money.

A T-shirt company may generate a tiny profit on each unit sold, which can build up to a substantial source of extra revenue.

What Do You Need to Start a Printing Business?

The Equipment Needed for a T-shirt Business

Printers. The printer is one of the essential items you’ll need.
Computers. You’ll need a PC or Mac to use with graphics and cutting programs for our t-shirt business software.
Graphics programs
Transfer paper
Heat press
Cutter

What are the 6 Major Types of Printing?

Digital Printing. Digital printing is the reproduction of digital images onto physical surfaces.
Flexography. Flexography, often abbreviated to flexo, is a method of printing most commonly used for packaging.
Lithographic (Offset) Printing.
Rotogravure (Gravure)
Large format printing.
3D Printing.
Screen Printing.