DTG printers are the best printers to use for your clothing line. They are a perfect and cost-effective option for entrepreneurs looking to start their own clothing line.
You can find them in many different shapes and sizes, and they all have their own unique features. But which one is the best? In short, it all depends on your needs and preference.
However, to make things easier for your ultimate decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best DTG printers under $5000 currently found in the marketplace, including their detailed overview, advantages, and disadvantages. So, let’s begin.
What is a DTG Printer?
Direct to Garment Printer is an advance digital printer that prints on garments. A DTG printer uses heat transfer technology to print on T-shirts, sweatshirts, polo shirts, and many other fabrics.
A DTG printer uses a heat transfer method to transfer ink onto the garment, similar to how an inkjet printer works.
The main difference between DTG printers and standard inkjet printers is that DTG printers use sublimation technology rather than spraying ink onto the fabric.
Sublimation printing involves using a thermal head that heats the dye crystals inside your garment. Hence, they vaporize into gas, and after the fiber absorbing it transforms back into solid after cooling down.
DTG Printing vs Screen Printing
If you’re on the fence about which one to purchase, then this below compact table will aid you in your decision process. Take a look.
| DTG Printing | Screen Printing | |
| Printing Quality | Average | High |
| Design Depth | Low | High |
| Unlimited Color Variation | None | Yes |
| On-Demand Rush | Not Possible | Possible |
| Advance Payment | Required | Not Required |
| Price | Slightly Low | High |
The most significant difference between DTG and screen printing is that DTG prints directly onto the fabric, while screen printing requires a separate piece of paper or film that is then attached to your garment before it is printed on.
However, because DTG printers are more expensive than traditional printing methods like lithography or offset printing, they tend to be used for smaller runs with higher quality results than what you would find from mass manufacturers such as Staples or Office Depot.
Why Is DTG Printers Used?
DTG printers are used for a variety of reasons, including the following:
Versatility
They can print on various materials, including textiles, plastic, metal, and paper.
Picture-Perfect Color Accuracy
They have excellent color accuracy and sharpness, meaning colors will look precisely like they do in your designed software application on the printed material.
Top-Tier Flexibility
The printer offers a high level of customization and flexibility. You can change font typeface, size and style, ink thicknesses, effects, and even color intensity.
Fast Delivery
DTG printers are extremely fast and can produce up to 105 Bull Prints per hour.
4 Best DTG Printer Under $5000
In this section we will explain the top 4 best DTG printers under $500 in-depth with their key selling points, pros, and cons.
1. A4 DTG Printer T-Shirt Printing Machine DTG Machine for Shirts/Onesies/Socks/Bags, with Textile Ink
The A4 DTG Printer is an amazing machine for producing accurate, in-depth designs. In addition, this printer is easy to use and has a lot of great features.
For example, it has a touchscreen interface that makes it easy to navigate through the menus and select different options. It also has a large screen that makes it effortless to see what you’re printing so you can make sure it looks right before you press “print” on your computer.
Another selling point about this printer is how fast it prints. It only takes about two minutes for each shirt, which means it’s possible to get a lot of rush orders with ease.
Lastly, the printer provides an auto cleaning option with reduced clogging that professionals highly seek out.
Overall, it’s a lightning-fast well-made DTG printer with fabulous delivery of design accuracy and is ideal for smaller businesses.
Pros
- Fairly inexpensive.
- Impeccable color precision.
- Excellent fabric absorption.
- Minimal head clogging.
- Excellent attention to detail on fabric.
- Complete white ink channel support.
Cons
- It can be difficult to set up.
- Slower than other DTG printers.
2. DTG Printer T-Shirt Printing Machine A4 Size DTG Printer Machine for T-Shirts/Onesies/Socks/Bags
The machine is designed to print on T-Shirts, Onesies, Socks, Bags, Backpacks, Jackets, Sweatshirts, and other printed fabric items.
And preferred especially for large commercial applications because of its high resolution of 5760*1440dpi and massive size of 210*300mm.
It is easy to set up and operate; just put your USB drive and install the environment. Also, the instructions are clear and easy to understand, and the product was well made and durable. This DTG machine prints at speeds of 10-40 shirts per hour and prints at up to 20 colors. The machine is also equipped with a heated drying system. The machine comes with a 1-year warranty.
The only thing that could be enhanced upon is the ink compartment, which occasionally leaks all over the printer.
All in all, it’s highly recommend this product if you’re looking for a printer that can do great work without taking up too much space or costing too much money.
Pros
- Simple to set up.
- Produces excellent results when used on thin fabrics.
- Terrific detailed printed design.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Ink can spill everywhere if not careful.
- Have to disconnect your antivirus first.
3. hrm Automatic A3 T-Shirt Printing Machine DTG Printer Tshirt Machine for T-Shirts/Sweatshirts/Hoodies/Pants/Jeans etc,A3 dtg + ink
The Hrm Automatic A3 T-printer is a revolutionary machine for transforming high-definition 3D-based pictures into everyday wearable t-shirts.
It’s straightforward to operate, and it works quickly, having a dense nozzle configuration that can produce 540 pieces of Nozzle（90 pieces in a variation of 6 colors ), which is essential when you’re in a rush to get your t-shirts printed up before on-demand order.
Besides, the machine itself is made of sturdy steel that can withstand high temperatures 10-35℃/Humidity 20-80％. The nozzle head is adjustable so that you can print at any angle from 0° to 90°.
You can easily change the colors on this machine by adjusting the pressure levels and speed settings. You can also alter the height of each color layer so that it perfectly matches up with your design. You can even change the density level of each layer as well.
However, the DTG printer does have one major drawback, and it’s the steep price tag it comes with ( crossing the $5000 barrier ). But, it is well worth every single penny as, without a doubt, it’s the best DTG printer out there in the market.
Pros
- Elementary to set up.
- Fast and high-quality delivery rate.
- Less space is required.
- Ideal for thick fabrics.
- No loud noises.
Cons
- Not long-lasting as the nozzle head can get clogged sometimes.
- Very heavy.
- Slightly costly.
- Not detailed enough color coloration for black or darker colors.
- Printing on the center might be troublesome.
- The holder can move off the flatbed.
4. L1800 DTF Transfer Printer with Roll Feeder,Direct to Film Print-preheating A3 DTF Printer for Dark and Light Clothing VS DTG Printer (A3 DTF Printer)
This printer is a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to a DTG printer. It has a roll feeder, making it easy to print on light and dark clothing.
The printer has a maximum print area of 300 x 420 mm inches and can print up to 297 x 420 mm with a 0.5mm resolution. It also has an LCD screen that allows you to monitor your print progress.
This printer comes with a power supply, USB cable, CD-ROM with software, film holder, cleaning kit, and instruction manual. You can use this printer with Windows XP or later operating systems as well as Mac OS 10.6 or later operating systems.
Another great feature of this printer is that it has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. You can link it directly to your computer without needing any external connections or cables connected between them (although if you want more options, then there are USB ports available too).
Pros
- Excellent for polyester fabric and light colors.
- No limitations can print out any colors.
- Produces vibrant colors.
- Prolonged ink supply.
- Sleek design.
- Extended warranty period. ( 3-year )
- Automatic heat station.
- Minimal paper jam issues.
- Different printing modes are available.
Cons
- Hard to understand instruction manual.
Frequntly Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does DTG usually cost?
The price of DTG depends on several factors, including the size and number of colors used on your design and the type of garment being printed onto.
In general, the cost can be as low as $20,000 to a high range of $100k.
How long does a DTG print last?
As a general rule of thumb, a DTG print should last at least 7-days to up to 90-days before beginning to fade.
What printers can be used for DTG?
All printers can be used for DTG printing, especially fabric based-printer, but the quality of the printer will determine the quality of your print.
Is DTG or heat press better?
The differences between DTG and heat press printing are subtle, but they are there.
The answer to which one is better depends largely on your project goals and budget and the type of artwork you’re printing.
However, heat press printing is often a better choice than DTG because you have more control over the design, and it’s much quicker to get your product created.
Is a DTG printer a good investment?
Yes, a DTG printer is a great investment because it’s a versatile product. It can be used to print simple designs to print complex, intricate patterns.
This makes it an excellent option for anyone who needs to print high-quality graphics regularly, including designers and artists.
Final Words
In conclusion, finding the best DTG printer depends on the preference and needs of the buyer.
Whether you’re a designer working for a company or if you’re running your own freelance business, you’ll need to make some important decisions about your DTG printer to ensure that you can get the job done well, from the color accuracy to ease of use.
In addition, we also considered four primary factors while selecting these printers on a budget: print quality, build quality, versatility, and support.
Hopefully, with this article, we’ve made things just a little bit easier for discovering the best DTG printer under $5000 in the current marketplace.