If you want to start a garment printing business with a minimum amount or on a small scale, you should start by shopping around for the best printer that can accommodate your business needs and save money for future expansion.
Choose your first DTF printer wisely
1. Understand Your Business Needs
So, what kind of garment printing business do you want to start? An A3 printer is just perfect for moderate production, like personal projects. If you want to start commercial printing, buy an A4-size printer. It can accommodate your low-volume production requirements. A large-format printer will be the right choice if you expect bulk printing jobs.
2. Print Quality and Color Accuracy
The highest resolution you can get from a DTF printer is 1440 DPI. You shouldn't have less than this number if you want to sell to customers. Choose a printing machine that supports CMYK + White inks and works with reliable RIP software. White ink prepares a base for printing on dark fabrics, and RIP software enables color management and white ink layering.
3. Ink System and Compatibility
The quality of inks used plays a crucial role in determining the overall quality and durability of prints. Depending on the compatibility of your printer, you can easily buy high-quality pigment inks from third-party suppliers. Another feature to look into in a printer is the white ink circulation system. Ink clogging is a common maintenance issue in printers. The best printers for small businesses have built-in circulation systems. It is necessary to maintain printhead fluidity.
4. Ease of Use and Maintenance
Running a small printing business with little technical knowledge is difficult. However, a printer with auto maintenance features and minimal manual calibration can help run your business successfully. You need features like auto-cleaning, minimum ink level alerts, and auto-film feeding. These features can save time and minimize errors. Keep these features and functions in mind when shopping for a printer.
5. Total Cost of Ownership
Calculate the total cost of ownership by adding the cost of supplies to the upfront cost of the printer. Cheap printers look cost-effective but could be more expensive in the long run. Similarly, some brands want users to buy branded supplies only. A printer compatible with third-party supplies allows more flexibility in choosing your supplies. Similarly, bundled deals like printers with RIP software offer better overall value.
6. Reviews and Brand Reliability
Brands offering the best printers for small businesses assure quality support and service for setting up the printers, troubleshooting common issues, and regular maintenance. You should check the user reviews of popular manufacturers to know who their users are and how the users rate brands. If you have any queries about a specific printer, you should call their customer care executive to clear your doubts.
