What is wrong with DTG machines?

Kwelp68 · June 25th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Man, I am really sorry to hear that. ^^ I think it really depends on your business model, the printer you get, and the amount of time and energy you want to put into it. We got a Kiosk 2 because support was close to us, it was a pretty good priced DTG, and we could put the Wims on for White ink management. It has made our business. In a matter of three months, we went from offering 6 shirts to over 300. In that three months we went from wholesaling to companies in 3 states, to now companies in over 30 states, 6 in Canada, and in New Zealand. We sell to a new company it seems just about once every week. One thing that does kind of take a toll is that I am the only printer in our business right now to cut cost until we need more, but it's like working on an assembly line. Every day, it's print, heat press, print, pretreat, print, press. You can be successful with these machines if you really put the effort into it. We still aren't anywhere near where I want to be, but I guess whoever really is?

diirk · July 28th, 2009, 04:03 PM

We love our machine even though I have it up for sale. We were extremely busy through word of mouth, but that was the problem. We only wanted this as a side business, and our "real" jobs have both grown such that we're working 10+ hours a day and sometimes weekends and don't have the time to run the business properly. We've been turning away customers because we can't in good conscience accept an order when we can't guarantee it'll get completed in time.

I'll honestly miss the printer, because I have a blast designing my own shirts and surprising my friends and family with something fun or unique.

modagirll · January 23rd, 2010, 07:07 AM

Hi
does anyone know where I can purchase a print hed for a KIOSK DTG machine? One if my whte ink channel is clogged, this is the second time has happned in 6 months. Please let me know.

uniqleerandom · January 30th, 2010, 01:30 PM

Which garment printer does well printing on black tshirts? DOes any1 know?

DunnMtn · January 31st, 2010, 07:07 PM

We are interested in a DTG. We have a single head embroidery machine, but would like to offer an alternative. Although we have a good relationship with a contract screenprinter ther is a minimum order of 48 pcs to be competitive. Much of our business is 12 - 24 pc orders.

Can these machines work well in a home based situation running only 2 times a week??

N. James · February 26th, 2010, 03:48 AM

To: DunnMTN

The GT-541 is great for a home-based situation. I am selling one in southern california. I don't have time to develop the business. I work full-time in law enforcement and I don't have any real free-time to focus on the business. I wish I could develop it because i know there is a good niche for inexpensive prints. If you are near Los Angeles and you are interested, please contact me [email address]

Nicole

TSHIRTPRINTINGSHOP.COM · March 3rd, 2010, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modagirll

Hi
does anyone know where I can purchase a print hed for a KIOSK DTG machine? One if my whte ink channel is clogged, this is the second time has happned in 6 months. Please let me know.

Hello,
We bought a used Kiosk and completely refurbished it ourselves. I have upgraded the ink delivery system and dampers...
The lowest prices I have found for print heads is

dtginks.com
officestoredepot.com

Like others have posted, you have to keep the ink moving in your system. Print a little something every day.

Another little trick I learned was, when you shut down your printer, turn the power off- then use distilled water and the ink fill button to flush and rinse your capping station (where the print head parks). After that, I use a little bit of the clog preventive solution on the pad in the capping station and manually park the head.

This keeps the print head "moist" between operations and really helps prevent things from drying out.

I usually power up my printer and do ONE head clean and I get perfect nozzle checks. Even after the weekend!

Hope this helps you out...

TSHIRTPRINTINGSHOP.COM · March 3rd, 2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DunnMtn

We are interested in a DTG. We have a single head embroidery machine, but would like to offer an alternative. Although we have a good relationship with a contract screenprinter ther is a minimum order of 48 pcs to be competitive. Much of our business is 12 - 24 pc orders.

Can these machines work well in a home based situation running only 2 times a week??

Hello,
2 times a week is a little risky. Three days between printing is risky... unless you really make sure everything is perfect. If not you risk having to do a lot of head cleans to get the ink flowing again. And risk having a plugged nozzle that won't clear, costing you a head replacement.
$200 - $400 print heads really cut into your profits if you are not printing many shirts...

We print to order, with NO MINIMUMS, something that might fit your business a little better.

Hope the info helps...

TSHIRTPRINTINGSHOP.COM · March 3rd, 2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniqleerandom

Which garment printer does well printing on black tshirts? DOes any1 know?

hello uniqleerandom
We have a DTG Kiosk II with an upgraded ink delivery system. It prints extremely well on dark garments. I have heard of others that do as well (like t-jet and anajet), most of them have upgraded ink systems to get them to print higher volumes of white ink consistently.
IMHO I think the important thing to look for is the ability to print large white areas without dropping out due to ink "starvation".

rosenc1c · March 4th, 2010, 12:49 PM

Several people have mentioned the DTG's need to be used daily to prevent clogging. Does this mean that it must be ran 7 days a week? In other words, if it sits over a weekend would you expect problems?

We have a contract embroidery shop and are exploring DTG. Any suggestions on how to build the business first and then add the machine, as has been suggested multiple times in this thread?