How Much Does it Cost to Make a DTG Shirt?
Several factors will determine the cost of making a DTG shirt. These include the size and type of print area, the pretreatment of the t-shirt, and the price of ink. In addition, you should consider the labor time involved in creating a quote, calling blank suppliers, and ordering supplies. Lastly, shipping and handling costs include packing, mailing labels, and delivering the finished product to the customer.
Pretreatment of T-shirts before Printing
Pretreatment of t-shirts before printing is a vital step in achieving the best print quality. Without pretreatment, your t-shirt will look dull and the colors will not pop. It also helps the ink adhere better to the shirt. Pretreatment can be used on either white or dark-colored T-shirts.
The first step is to use a heat press to prepare the surface of your t-shirt. A heat press works well for this because it flattens the surface of a T-shirt. During this step, you must ensure that your work area is well-ventilated. Also, remember to dilute the pretreatment solution before applying it to the t-shirt.
During direct-to-garment t-shirt printing, pretreatment is crucial. Without it, white ink would not adhere to the material, causing the colors to bleed into the fabric. Moreover, different colors in the ink would mix and result in a distorted print.
Size of the Print Area
The size of the print area on a DTG shirt can be determined by several factors. One of these is the image size. You should always check the size of the image to ensure that the print will fit onto the shirt. In addition, you should always check the print provider’s requirements before creating an image.
The typical print area on a DTG shirt is 11 to 13 inches in size. This size depends on the type of shirt you want to print. To get a rough idea of the size of the print area, you can measure the length of an 11″-long sheet of paper and line it up with the length of the shirt’s short side.
The maximum print area on a T-shirt is approximately 12″ x 16″. Some providers will not shrink the design, however. Also, a hoodie is slightly larger than a T-shirt, but the front printing area is smaller than a T-shirt. A hoodie’s front print area measures about 13 inches by 10 inches.
Screen Setup
If you’re wondering how much it costs to screen print a shirt, the answer is simple: a lot. Screen printing requires a lot of labor and is not very efficient for small orders. A four-color design can require up to five screens, plus an underbase screen. The screen setup takes more time than the actual printing process itself.
This process has been used for over 100 years, with early versions dating back to the nineteenth century when printing shops offered transfer services for local businesses. Because screen printing doesn’t require high-quality artwork, it’s an excellent option for large-scale production. A screen is made of mesh and covers only the parts of the fabric that do not need ink. The ink then pushes through the screen and lands on the T-shirt underneath.
DTG printing is generally softer than screen printing, but this isn’t always the best option for every type of garment. For example, you might not want to use a screen for a shirt that will last a long time. But you could get away with a cheaper option by printing several designs on one screen instead.
Price of Ink
DTG printing uses water-based ink that is applied in one layer to a t-shirt’s fibers. This method produces high-quality results. DTG shirts are available in full color and allow sellers to upload their designs onto the shirt.
The cost of ink to make a DTG-printed shirt varies based on several factors. The shirt’s color, design, and size can all increase the cost. For example, a shirt printed in black ink will cost more than a shirt in white.
A good printer will have a cost breakdown so customers can see how much the shirt will cost them. The cost of printing a DTG shirt can be divided into two main categories: the cost of the actual shirt and the cost of the ink used for the printing. A large design requires more ink than a small one.
One additional expense you may want to consider is the cost of pre-treatment. Some shirts need a chemical treatment before DTG printing can be done, which adds time and money to each garment. Although this step is expensive, it is necessary for a high-quality print.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about DTG and Custom T-shirt Printing
>How to Decide Between Heat Transfer Printing & Screen Printing?
– T-shirts may be customized in a variety of ways, including screen printing and heat transfer designs. But which design process produces shirts that appear more professional? If you want to make your own personalized t-shirts or start an online shop selling t-shirts, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of screen printing vs. heat press transfer..Learn More
>DTG Printing vs. DTF Printing: Which is Still the Best Option?
– The epidemic has led tiny studios to focus on Print-on-Demand manufacturing. With it, DTG and DTF printing have entered the market, piquing the attention of manufacturers interested in dealing with personalized clothes…Read More
>What are the Common File Types Used for Printing?
– Are you getting ready to print a custom tee but feel confused by the many different file types out there? Don’t worry! Here are the differences between the two formats InksterPrints accept to help you choose the right one for your print file..Continue Reading
>What are the Advantages of Buying Custom T-Shirts Online?
– Ordering personalized t-shirts online is easier than you might think, from design to production. T-shirt printing companies in Philadelphia and other cities have improved their online ordering processes to make them more user-friendly. Anyone can now choose, design, and order customized t-shirts all in the same place..Click Here to Learn More
>What is DTF or Direct to Film Printing?
– Direct-to-film printing is a one-of-a-kind printing method that includes producing graphics on special films and then transferring them to clothes. DTF printing is a heat transfer technique that lasts as long as classic silkscreen printing. DTF is a printing method that is not the same as DTG…Click to Read More
>Is Screen Printing or DTG the best option for your company?
– The method of pushing ink through a stenciled mesh screen to create a printed design is known as screen printing. Even though you’ve rarely heard of the term yet, you’ve probably owned or used a screen-printed item. Serigraphy and silk screen printing are other names for the same method, although they all refer to the same core technology…Click Here to Continue Reading
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