Last Updated on February 4, 2023
Do you have minimum to no investment and are passionate about starting your printing business? Trust me; you don’t have to worry about it anymore. DTG printing is your new buddy that will help you make money in less than few months of starting your business.
Direct-to-garment printing is an easy way to get your customers’ products ready. You won’t need to fear about maintaining a stock because the vast majority of buyers don’t require a smaller number of products, it comes in bulk. So, you are given time. This printing technology also makes it possible for companies to utilize printing services on an as-needed basis.
With that being cleared, take a seat back, and let’s start with our article on the best DTG printers for small businesses. In this article, we will explore 7 products that will help you in making a valuable choice as per your circumstances alongside the buying guide for prior knowledge.
Also, we will list down several features that why DTG printers are preferrable as compared to others. Better to start with it in the next section without getting into any tough discussion.
7 Best DTG Printers for Small Businesses – Top Choices
1. HRM Automatic DTG Printer
I am super excited about my first product; exceptionally well-built and remarkable functioning, the HRM A3 deserves this place on our list of best DTG printers for small businesses. This DTG printer has an extremely simple interface, which is a desirable feature in a DTG printer, and impressive easiness is one of the characteristics of a good DTG printer.
Even if you have never used a DTG printer before, you won’t have any trouble getting the hang of its user interface because of its simple-to-use design. The HRM printer can print on more than just t-shirts such as hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, bags, jeans, among other things.
In terms of its printing speed which I like the most, the HRM A3 is capable of producing a white T-shirt in three to five minutes and a black one in six to eight. In addition to that, it includes a free set of inks that can produce 540 prints of the A4 size.
Lastly, it features a technology called Intelligent drop transform, which changes the size of the droplet that is distributed by the nozzle system to sizes as small as 1.5 picoliters. This guarantees that even the most difficult prints will not have any limitations or irregularities, and that’s pretty good about this printer.
2. Canon 8747B008AA PIXMA DTG Printer
The Canon PIXMA iX6850 is a small, high-quality model made for small businesses and do-it-yourselfers workers. With that, its small size makes it easy to fit into tight places. The Canon PIXMA iX6850 printer has a total of five different ink tanks.
One each for dye-based cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, as well as a pigment-based black for producing text that is both waterproof and high-definition. The iX6850 is capable of printing images of exceptionally high quality, with incredibly crisp details and tinting that is precisely managed.
The iX6850 should be a winner because of its cheap costs, good results, and great turn of speed; nevertheless, it does not have a duplexer and has comparatively low Wi-Fi performance, which are both factors that go against it. The PIXMA iX6850 is a printer with a large baseplate that is simple to use but quick and costs well.
3. HRM DTG A4 T-Shirt Printing Machine
How can I forget the HRM A4? There is no way, so let me get straight into it. The equipment, which appears to be quite complex, functions without making any noise or creating any mess. In addition, because of its modest size, you won’t have any trouble finding a place for it; it fits even in the limited space of your home office.
This printer produces fairly impressive results across the board when it comes to printing. There is no way to get better printing results at a small amount of cost, and this applies to everything from high resolution to faster garment printing.
As a DTG printing business owner, I couldn’t be happier with my A4 DTG flatbed print machine. Not only it is easy to set up, but all I had to do was design and printed the shirts without any effort. So far, I am really impressed with its working speed and outlook too.
Also, this printer seems to be quite quick, as it has a print speed of 12 pages per minute and a print size of 21 centimeters by 30 centimeters.
Furthermore, the graphics that are produced with DTG will come to you in an amazing resolution of 5760 by 1440 dots per inch. Additionally, because this printer is compatible with the heat press method, you will also need to make arrangements to acquire a heat press machine.
4. HP M605dn LaserJet Enterprise Printer
Onto our fourth product, HP M605dn, and I’ve heard such good reviews from people in the business that I had to give it the title of best DTG printer. Coming to its features, if you need a monochrome laser printer for your workplace that can handle heavy-duty printing jobs, the HP LaserJet Enterprise M605x is a good option.
It prints quickly, can hold a large amount of paper side by side, has a good overall output quality. It says, it is constructed with the intention of printing in large quantities, so you don’t have to stress on the quantity you will get.
The M605x is rated to print 58 pages per minute at its maximum speed. Even though the M605x does not have standard Wi-Fi connectivity, it is still possible to print from mobile devices running iOS and Android.
Talking about the connectivity that I guess makes your work super easy and also saves time, I used an Ethernet connection to test the M605x, and a computer running Windows Vista served as the driver installation host, and it worked pretty well for me.
Also, it provides additional security features, such as the ability to print with a password from a keypad located on the printer itself. The height, width, and depth of this printer are respectively 20.5 inches, 16.7 inches, and 21.1 inches, and it weighs 71 pounds.
In addition, you can also increase the paper capacity to a maximum of 3,600 sheets with the help of the additional paper-handling options that are available in it. Alongside, it can handle a maximum monthly duty cycle of 225,000 sheets, which makes the M605x an excellent choice for small businesses that need to print a lot.
5. Epson Expression Photo DTG Printer
The Epson prints quickly enough that if you only use it to print text at home, you’ll be happy and pretty satisfied with this printer’s performance. Getting into the construction along its working, in the base, there is a 200-sheet tray for paper sizes up to A4, and the back feed can handle anything from 6 x 4 into A3+ media.
It uses the new Color Claria Photo HD Inks, which lets it print that look like they were taken by a professional, when you will use it, I am sure it will amaze you by its quality. The Epson has wireless LAN, Wi-Fi Direct, wired USB, and USB host connectivity options.
It also includes a rear paper feeder that can handle 50 sheets and a cassette that can hold 200 sheets of A3 paper. Moreover, The XP-15000 uses the standard black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, along with red and grey. Even though the printer is small for a wide-format printer, it is still big enough that smaller home offices may have trouble finding a place for it.
6. Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II
Slowly getting done with our list, it’s time to review our sixth product, the Canon we all are familiar with has been known for years for its portability and affordability. Upon my first testing session, it was able to produce a borderless A3+ color print of high quality in just 1 minute and 54 seconds.
The design of the Pro 9000 Mark II printer is not particularly complex; it consists of a small number of buttons, and a blinking light to indicate that there has been an error. But to be honest, I am okay in fact, happy with using a manual machine until and unless it takes so much of your effort and time.
Moving on the construction, the primary paper input tray is located on the top of the printer, there is a front paper tray for loading large paper, and there is a flat paper tray located on the back of the printer that can be used with thick card or fabric that cannot be curved.
Alongside, the Pro 9000 utilizes a total of 8 distinct ink cartridges, including red, green, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, in addition to special picture inks that boost the magenta and cyan in photo prints. I would add one thing here: it is possible to replace any of these cartridges independently.
Also, it should be the fundamental objective of any DTG printer to print colors accurately so that you receive the same colors in your printout as you have in your images. And we discovered that the Pro 9000 Mark II did a satisfactory job in this regard, so that’s a win by staying within your budget.
7. Magicard Pronto Printer
Magicard is one of the few brands that offers a low-volume option which is ideally suited for the requirements of small businesses. This multipurpose small machine can print in full color in just 35 seconds.
The Pronto is a machine that packs a lot of power into a little package, so it doesn’t take up much room on your desk. The Pronto contains all of the capabilities that are found on its larger counterparts, such as the capability to print from edge to edge, a magnetic encoding option. Alongside HoloKote for an additional layer of protection, and a guarantee that is valid for the entire two years.
Beginning with XP and continuing all the way up to the most recent version of Windows 8 64 bit, the Magicard Pronto printer is compatible with all of Microsoft’s Windows operating system variants. I mean, when I looked at the price range, I had to say that, you are getting quite a lot of value for your cash!
Additionally, it offers customers remote device control, enabling them to control every aspect of printer setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, and functioning. Not to forget, there are also three separates regular HoloKote designs available for the Pronto100.
Why is DTG Printing Preferrable for Small Businesses? – Expert’s Opinion
DTG printing is the most recent modification in the printing business. It has changed the way printing is done. Not only this, there are many more benefits of DTG printing over other types, including screen printing, heat printing, etc.
To give you a clear perspective that will help you in making a choice, here are some of the benefits you get from DTG printers for small businesses.
- Affordability: In DTG printing, it doesn’t require you to make separate screens for each copy of the design. Since the printer doesn’t need individual screens, it has a very low cost to make. The most obvious perk of doing your own printing for promotional items is the cost savings you’ll realize by skipping the supplier. You can now manage your printing costs with absolute precision. Making money is easy if you know how to establish your own business.
- Versatility: A good DTG printer works well with all of the most common types of fabric. You can print on T-shirts, hoodies, and pants with the same printer.
- One-pass print: This printer can print a wide range of colors in a single go. But one-pass prints won’t work on darker fabric, so you might have to print it again if you want the colors to be very clear and sharp.
- Longevity: Since this machine uses ink to print directly onto the fabric, it doesn’t need extra layers to protect the prints. DTG printers are a great addition to your selling business because of this.
- Beginner friendly: Everyone can use them because they are so simple to use. If you are familiar with how to use standard printers, then you will have no trouble using DTG printers. Even if you are new, you can easily go with these DTG printers without any hesitation.
How to Choose the Right DTG Printer for Small Businesses?
It’s best to always examine low-priced, simple-to-use machines. When it comes to marketing materials, however, business owners need not look any farther than the A4 DTG Printer for high-quality color printing and expert edge finishing that we’ve also mentioned above.
The ability to print on cloth is invaluable, whether you want to offer personalized goods or design promotional materials for your company.
You must always look for an affordable option that is also simple and straightforward to use, as it will benefit you in the long run because usually, the DTG printers aren’t super affordable, though.
One more thing, the lightweight machine is a way to go beyond your expectations with it. Having a lightweight yet robust construction printer will save you from additional help. Also, there will be fewer chances of damage and maneuverability.
Lastly, if you are like me and concentrate equally on the look of the machine as the working performance, then the above-mentioned options will surely help you, and I know it will suit your aesthetics too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to buy a DTG printer?
The base model of a DTG printer starts at $1,300, so they are not cheap. But the money spent is worth it. A DTG printer can also be rented. For as little as $140 per month, you can hire a DTG printer. The price of extra ink is built into the printer.
Is the t-shirt printing industry successful?
Since t-shirts are becoming increasingly popular and in demand, starting a t-shirt printing company might be rewarding for you. You can purchase the t-shirt in bulk to lower the price and still turn a healthy profit. Customers will certainly choose top-notch, all-encompassing goods and services.
Will a DTG print break?
This is a piece of top-tier equipment, renowned for its dependability, accuracy, and originality. It prints at the speed of light with stunning color accuracy. Considering printers and even with the Epson F2100, the ink is injected into the shirt, preventing breaking and fading.
Final words
A direct-to-garment (DTG) printer is a fantastic piece of technology that allows you to print your unique graphics and text on a wide variety of garments. In this article, I’ve mentioned the top 7 best DTG printers for small businesses that are hand-picked and suggested by experts.
Apart from that, if you ask about my choice out of all these seven best DTG printers for small businesses, I would go for the HRM A4 DTG printer. If you’re looking for the greatest low-cost DTG printer, go no further than the HRM A4 DTG Printer. Its speed is remarkable, its quality is superb, and it comes with a plethora of handy accessories.
The maximum resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi is more than sufficient for producing detailed work. With that, I would like to thank you for reading it out and wish you goodbye from my side.
For the past five years, I have been working as a printer service supervisor in a printing press that serves customers with tailor-made designs and prints. My job involved dealing with printers five days a week, so I decided to take up printing as a hobby.