T-shirts are some of the most popular items to print. Whether it is a business or a personal project, there are many reasons why you might want to print shirts. It is one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways to produce a large quantity of clothing with minimal setup time and almost no minimum order requirements.
There are several different types of t-shirt printing machines available on the market today. Each has its own unique features and abilities that make it stand out from the rest. So how do you know which one is right for your needs? Keep reading to find out more about the different types of t-shirt printing machines and their pros and cons:
Rotary Screen Printing Machine
Rotary screen printing machines are also known as cylindrical screen printers. This type of machine is the most common and traditional method of printing on t-shirts.
It is used for small-scale production, largely for print shops that provide on-demand orders for customers.
This machine uses a cylindrical screen to physically block ink from the surface of the fabric as it passes through the machine.
The rotary screen printing machine can print on just about any type of fabric, including cotton, polyester, and synthetic blends. It also allows you to use a variety of different inks, including water-based inks, plastisol inks, discharge (waterless) inks, and solvent-based inks.
DTG T-Shirt Printing Machine
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing process that uses specialized software to print designs directly onto the fabric of the t-shirt. There is no need for an intermediate transfer step, as there is with other printing methods like screen printing.
The digital printing press draws the image directly onto the fabric surface with the use of special inks. This means that there is no need to apply for a transfer (like you would with screen printing). It also makes it easier to apply small designs and details to the fabric.
This t-shirt printing method is ideal for printing short-run orders or single-color designs. It is also good for printing on non-white fabrics with more vibrant, opaque inks. It is a great option for businesses that want the ease and convenience of digital printing, but don’t have the budget for larger, custom pieces.
Print-on-Demand T-Shirt Printer
A print-on-demand (POD) t-shirt printer is a type of digital printing machine that is usually more affordable for home use.
This machine print designs on t-shirts using inkjet technology. It uses the same type of computer-generated, vector-based files that are used in commercial POD printing.
Inkjet technology is generally easier to use than other types of printing methods. It is also considered less expensive per shirt to run.
However, it is not as suitable for printing on dark or non-white fabrics. It also has a lower print resolution and poorer color accuracy than other types of t-shirt printing machines.
Digital T-Shirt Printer
A digital t-shirt printer is a type of t-shirt printing machine that uses digital printing technology. It is used for small-scale production and is often used in print shops that provide on-demand orders for customers.
This t-shirt printing machine is similar to a computer printer in many ways. It uses software to generate an image on the computer and then transfers it to a screen from which it is transferred to the fabric using heat.
The main difference between the two machines is that the temperature of a digital t-shirt printer is much higher than that used in computer printers. This allows the fabric to absorb the ink without a transfer paper.
Conclusion
The rotary screen printing machine is the most common and traditional method of printing on t-shirts. It is used for small-scale production, largely for print shops that provide on-demand orders for customers. This machine uses a cylindrical screen to physically block ink from the surface of the fabric as it passes through the machine.
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing process that uses specialized software to print designs directly onto the fabric of the t-shirt.
There is no need for an intermediate transfer step, as there is with other printing methods like screen printing.
The digital printing press draws the image directly onto the fabric surface with use of special inks. This means that there is no need to apply for a transfer (like you would with screen printing).
It also makes it easier to apply small designs and details to the fabric. This t-shirt printing method is ideal for printing short-run orders or single-color designs.
It is also good for printing on non-white fabrics with more vibrant, opaque inks. It is a great option for businesses that want the ease and convenience of digital printing, but don’t have the budget for larger, custom pieces.
Now that you know more about the different types of t-shirt printing machines, you can better decide which machine is right for you.
