There is actually a fairly simple pricing system for DTG. Printing with DTG has many advantages. By calculating your costs accurately, you can plan your budget. As a result, pricing DTG prints becomes much easier.
DTG printing manufacturers provide amazing printing services like PRUF direct to garment printing Jacksonville FL and others provide a robust and accurate cost calculator tool. How do you price DTG prints and why is it easier?
Pricing resources
A given amount of ink is applied to a predetermined area on a garment by your DTG printer. Depending on the size of the area, you can actually calculate the exact cost of the ink.
Pricing for DTG is typically simple: labor + ink + pretreatment + garments = total cost.
Ink and pre-treat alone can cost $8 for a large, multi-color DTG print on a dark garment.
In order to price your own DTG prints, you should consider the cost of pre-treating and ink, as well as the size of the image. Due to the lack of unknown quantities, DTG prints can be priced much more easily than screen prints.
To estimate DTG pricing, check out these awesome resources:
You can determine the time to profitability using STAHLS’ return-on-investment calculator.
Similar to Epson’s large format cost calculator, Epson uses a formula.
Our exclusive interview with Ryonet’s Luke Ryerkerk provides lots of useful DTG tips.
What is the cost of a DTG printer?
Despite the fact that DTG printers cost tens of thousands of dollars, we will be blunt about this.
A complete and professional DTG printing setup costs at least $20,000 to $30,000. It is not uncommon for DTG printing setups to cost more than $250,000 – though the higher-end models often include a comprehensive warranty and maintenance package.
We advise print shops to purchase their first DTG printer after they’ve contracted thousands of dollars of DTG prints. Alternatively, DTG printers and custom printing equipment do not generate demand.
An inkjet printer, heat press, and pre-treat machine
DTG printing requires a DTG printer, a pre-treat machine, and a heat press at a minimum.
Lower-range DTG Printer
The majority of shops start with a lower-range DTG printer. You can expect to pay between $10,000 and $30,000 for a starter DTG machine. You won’t know if the maintenance and upkeep have been properly performed on used DTG machines.
The cost of a pre-treatment machine typically ranges from $3,000 to $4,000. Make sure you don’t underestimate the importance of your pre-treatment machine! This is an important part of your DTG setup. There are numerous manufacturers who make pre-treatment machines for DTG printing, including Lawson, Equipment Zone, and M&R.
The last thing you’ll need is a heat press. For a high-end model, they can cost between $1,000 and $2,000. In most print shops, however, you can use the heat press for a variety of things. It is fine to buy a used heat press, you can find them for hundreds of dollars (if not less).
A print shop can also offer DTG printing to meet the needs of their customers. Few shops throw out their screen printing squeegees in favor of inkjet printers!
Depending on the print quality, the speed of production, the price, and so on, you would be able to compare DTG vs. screen printing. It is important to note that different shops have different competencies.
Each shop is unique in its own way.
In addition to large contract DTG businesses that never do screen prints, there are multimillion-dollar screen printing companies that would never consider using DTG. Business models differ from company to company; some sell online, while others produce 30,000 pieces per run, which DTG printers couldn’t handle.
It is a great option for small orders to use DTG printing. When it comes to large orders, screen printing is far superior to DTG printing. Customers can benefit from both methods!
Your top priority should be fulfilling your clients’ vision – or connecting them with someone who can. The screen printing and custom apparel decoration industries are more like barbershops than mass manufacturers. It is your responsibility to create a custom experience based on the customer’s needs. Let your expertise guide your customers toward decorations and customizations they’ll love – and that you’ll profit from.
