With changing times and evolving customer needs, diversifying your screen printing business is a smart move. One way to do this is to add direct-to-garment (DTG) printing to your existing screen print shop. DTG printing has gained immense popularity over the years due to its ability to produce detailed and colorful graphics on various materials. This article will guide you on how to add this innovative printing technique to your existing screen print shop.

Introduction

DTG printing refers to a digital process that prints directly onto textiles and garments using specialized inkjet technology. It allows higher resolution designs with a wider range of colors and more complex patterns compared to traditional screen printing methods. Adding this method to your existing business can open up multiple revenue streams, expand your clientele, and give you an edge over your competitors.

Benefits of Adding DTG Printing to Your Existing Screen Print Shop

Greater Design Flexibility

With DTG printing, you can print incredibly detailed designs that are tough to achieve with traditional screen printing. This ideal for intricate designs or photographic prints.

Better Efficiency for Small Batches

DTG is cost-effective for small batch prints or one-offs. It eliminates the need for screen setup, saving resources while remaining profitable for small orders.

Quick and Easy to Learn

DTG printing is a straightforward process, making it relatively easy for new users to learn, thus reducing your staff training expenses.

Environment-Friendly

Since DTG printers use water-based inks, they have less harmful impact on the environment compared to the plastisol inks used in screen printing.

How to Incorporate DTG Printing into Your Screen Print Shop

Invest in a DTG Printer

The primary step to add DTG printing is to acquire a DTG printer. When making this crucial decision, consider parameters like print quality, printing speed, user-friendliness, and the printer’s life expectancy. Moreover, ensure that the printer you select can handle the printing volume your business expects to maintain.

If you're serious about quality and performance, explore our high-quality DTG printers here. They successfully balance speed, efficiency, and print quality, becoming a valuable asset to your business.

Training Staff

Once you’ve purchased a DTG printer, the next step is to train your staff. While the learning curve is not steep, adequate training will ensure maximum efficiency and minimal errors.

Marketing Your New Services

Once you're ready to offer DTG printing, market it aggressively. Update your website and social media pages, send out newsletters, and make use of all available channels to spread the word about your new services.

Conclusion

Adding DTG printing to your existing screen print shop can be a game-changer, potentially paying dividends in terms of increased revenue and customer satisfaction. While it requires an initial investment and some training, the rewards well justify the effort.

FAQ Section

What is DTG printing?

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is a digital printing method where an image is printed directly onto a textile using an inkjet printer.

How does DTG compare to screen printing?

While screen printing is better suited to large volume orders and simpler designs, DTG printing provides greater design flexibility and is ideal for high resolution or photographic prints, and small order quantities.

What type of ink do DTG printers use?

DTG printers use water-based inks, which are less harmful to the environment compared to the plastisol inks used in screen printing.

What materials can DTG printers print on?

DTG printers can print effectively on a wide array of fabrics, but they work best on 100% cotton materials.