For businesses looking to achieve quality printed graphics and logos on garments in short runs (uneconomic to screen print), it is interesting to compare the DTG printing with flexible films printed with a large format digital print and cut machine, as both printers used in these different processes at present retail at around the same cost (under £10,000). So which one too choose?

A common misconception is that using the Direct To Garment method of printing speeds up the whole process, improving on print runs and making the job far more economical.

This is understandable because a film after printing and cutting has to be applied to the garment with a heat press. But DTG printing can be less than straightforward.  

Coloured garments need to be printed with white ink first and to do this require a special liquid pre-treatment.  

The pre-treatment is often dried with a heat press before the white ink is applied and after the coloured inks are applied in a second pass, a final heat press is required to fix the print.  

Therefore the whole process may include one pre-treatment; two passes through the printer and two heat pressings, making it more comparable to the print transfer method.  

It should also be taken into account that with a minimum printing width of 760mm on a standard print and cut machine, it is possible to print multiple jobs in one pass using the full width of the film, whereas with most standard DTG printers, only one job can be done at a time.

The Digital media used in the transfer system have also advanced in recent years.   

Where previously common complaints were that the transfer gave a heavy and unnatural feel to the garment, now there are many films on the market which are so soft, once heat-pressed they can be mistaken for a screen print. DTG printing undoubtedly eliminates the other previous bugbear of standard transfer printing; the visible border around the decal which tended to be produced in a single block.  

This did not allow for more complicated graphics leading to this method being limited to the production of simple badges and logos. But now with the print and cut machines, fine work is achieved and applied to the garment with the help of a transfer tape.

Consideration should also be given to the long term plans about how the business is to grow and evolve in comparison to initial outlay costs.  

DTG printing works on absorbent surfaces such as cotton and cotton/polyester garments and even other items such as wood. 

But if this is too restrictive and you would like to print Polyester and Nylon items such as football shirts, bags, jackets, caps and even umbrellas then the transfer method gives you that ability.  

Better still having a printer/cutter, keeps options open for printing a whole range of media for other markets including display graphics, sign making and point of sale advertising.  

This would introduce whole other sectors to the business with the production of banners, car wraps, promotional graphic displays etc, should the need or desire for branching out arise.

In conclusion, when choosing the right printer to purchase, it is important to do the homework and decide which market you are catering for. There is a place for both printing methods discussed here and I have little doubt that the large format printer will carry on achieving strong sales in the print wear market for the foreseeable future.

For more information call James or the DoroTape team on 01858 431642, or log on to their websites, www.dorotape.co.uk or www.dorodigital.co.uk

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