Episode 164 – How Much Does it Cost? 2022 T-Shirt Printer Options (Part 2)

Custom Apparel Startups

How much does it cost to start a t-shirt printing business?

That machine is WAY too expensive.

Why would I buy that when a cricut can do the same thing?

It only cost that much to own a business? I thought it was so much more.

What is the best t-shirt printer?

These are the comments you will read on social media posts about the t-shirt business. As you can see, there are assumptions people are making or just a lack of in depth knowledge about the t-shirt printing business.

In this episode we are going to jump into .. what does t-shirt printing equipment cost?

This episode was inspired by an article, on ColDesi... which was inspired by the questions and comments from people above. (Click here to read the article)

Keep in mind all of these prices and estimated financing costs are as of when we wrote this podcast and probably will change over time. However, for the time being we can assume all of this data will still be reasonably accurate for some time.

Heat Transfer Vinyl

Brands

• Graphtec
• Roland

Cost

• Starting around $2400 or about $65 a month

Pros

• One of the easiest to learn / simplest machines
• Very versatile - lights, darks, cotton, poly, stickers, t-shirts, signs
• Little-to-no maintenance
• Nice quality finished goods
• 10x faster than a cricut / hobby cutter

Cons

• You aren't digital printing
• Storing and investing in rolls of material
• Range of production speed varies a lot (1 color, simple design VS 4 color complex design)

Sublimation

Brand: Sawgrass

• SG1000
• SG500

Cost

• $600 - $6000 or $45 - $165 financed

Pros

• Relatively easy to learn
• Extremely versatile
• Finished print is now "a part of" the t-shirt (or mug or mousepad or totebag)

Cons

• Only meant for white / light colored items
• Polyester or sublimation coated items only
• Ink systems require some maintenance
• Ink can get expensive over time

Print & Cut

Brand: Roland

• BN-20
• BN-20A

Cost

• $6000 - $8000 or starting about $165 a month financed

Pros

• Full Digital Prints
• Very versatile - t-shirts to signs to window clings to car decals
• Can do the same as a vinyl cutter above, but can also print
• BIG prints about 20" x HUGE
• Versatile - lights, darks, cotton, poly

Cons

• Ink and Printable vinyl has a higher supply cost than other methods
• Can be considered slow when compared
• Requires a bit more graphics knowledge to set up prints and cuts

White Toner Transfer Printers

Brand: DigitalHeat FX

• Uninet & Crio
• i560, 8432wt, i650, 9541wt

Cost

• $3700 - $15000 or about $100 - $400 a month

Pros

• Full color digital prints
• Very fast print time
• Little-to-no maintenance
• Versatile lights, darks, cotton, poly.
• Can be used on hard good with no special coatings required

Cons

• More precise learning process, requires practice
• Toner and transfer paper is not as soft as alternatives like DTG, Sublimation, DTF
• Cost per print higher than other methods like DTG or DTF

Direct to Garment Printing

Brand: DTG

Cost

• $15000 - $24000 or about $350 - $600 a month financed

Pros

• Amazing colors and full digital prints
• Washes and wears beautifully
• No transfer required, more details
• Low cost per print

Cons

• Light colors - cotton & poly - Darks - Best for cotton only
• Liquid ink systems requires maintenance
• Good knowledge of graphics really helps to get the best prints

DTF - Direct to Film

Brands: DTF / Coldesi - DigitalHeat FX

Cost

• Still a growing field of printers but right now about $25k or $690 a month financed.

Pros

• Amazing quality digital prints
• Wears, washes and looks great
• Super fast
• Very low supply cost

Cons

• Liquid and film system requires maintenance
• Initial cost to invest is one of the highest
• It's bigger and louder than anything on the list

Hopefully this information helps you to understand what it costs to invest in a t-shirt printing system and which one is best for you. Be sure to click the link and read the article for more information: How Much Does It Cost? Comparing Pricing and Payments on Custom T-Shirt Printing Equipment - ColDesi