T shirt Printing Machine - Garment Printer for Small Business
Procolored offers DTF and DTG printers that help small businesses bring full-color custom T-shirt production in-house. DTF is the more versatile choice for printing on cotton, polyester, blends, and both light and dark garments, while DTG is better suited to businesses focused on cotton apparel and a softer, direct-to-fabric print feel.
Explore the T-shirt printers below and compare print sizes, production workflows, features, and prices to find the right fit for your products and order volume.
Each printing method suits different fabrics, order types, and workflows. DTF and DTG are both digital options, while sublimation and heat-transfer vinyl tend to be used for more specific jobs.
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Direct-to-Film
DTF prints the design onto transfer film before it is applied to the garment with heat. It works with cotton, polyester, blends, and many other fabrics, making it a flexible choice for a wide range of custom apparel orders.
Direct-to-Garment
DTG prints ink directly onto the garment and is best suited to cotton-rich apparel. It is a strong option for businesses focused on detailed, full-color T-shirt printing with a soft print feel.
Sublimation
Sublimation uses heat to bond dye with polyester fibers. It works best on white or light-colored polyester and is not designed for standard cotton garments.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
HTV uses cut vinyl designs that are applied with a heat press. It works well for simple names, numbers, and logos, but is less efficient for detailed full-color artwork.
DTF vs. DTG: Which Fits Your Business?
Both methods can produce full-color custom apparel, but they fit different materials and workflows. The better choice depends on what you print most often and how you want to run production.
Decision factor
DTF
DTG
Best for
Mixed apparel and varied custom orders
Cotton-focused apparel businesses
Fabric compatibility
Cotton, polyester, blends and more
Best on cotton-rich garments
Printing process
Print to film, powder, cure and heat press
Pretreat garment, print directly and cure
Production flexibility
Works across different product types
Efficient for direct garment printing
Extra equipment
Curing equipment and a heat press
Pretreatment and curing are typically required
Good choice when
You need broad fabric flexibility
Most of your orders are cotton garments
How to Choose a T-Shirt Printer
Start with the products you plan to sell and the amount of printing you expect to handle. Together, these factors matter more than any single specification.
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Fabric Type
Check what you print most often. DTF supports a wide range of fabrics, while DTG is better suited to cotton-rich apparel.
Print Size
Smaller formats work well for logos and compact designs. Larger print widths give you more room for full-front graphics and other large designs.
Order Volume
Consider how many jobs you expect to produce each day. Higher output usually calls for faster printing, larger formats, or production-oriented configurations.
Workflow
Look beyond the printer itself. DTF requires film, powder, curing, and heat pressing, while DTG typically includes garment pretreatment and curing.
Workspace
Printer size is only part of the setup. Leave enough room for curing equipment, heat pressing, consumables, and routine maintenance.
Budget
Compare the total setup cost rather than the printer price alone. Consumables, heat presses, curing equipment, and ongoing production needs all affect the investment.
Find the Right Printer for Your Business
Find the Right Printer for Your Business
The right setup depends on where your business is now and how you expect production to grow.
The right setup depends on where your business is now and how you expect production to grow.
Getting StartedGetting Started
For new businesses working in smaller spaces, the K13 Lite DTF Printer offers a compact way to print on cotton, polyester, and blended apparel.
For new businesses working in smaller spaces, the K13 Lite DTF Printer offers a compact way to print on cotton, polyester, and blended apparel.
DTF and DTG are two common digital options. DTF is more flexible across cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics, while DTG is best suited to cotton-rich garments.
2.Is DTF or DTG better for a small business?
It depends on the products you plan to sell. DTF is useful for businesses printing on different fabrics and apparel types. DTG can be a better fit when most orders are cotton T-shirts and direct garment printing is the priority.
3.Can a T-shirt printer print on both cotton and polyester?
Yes. DTF printing works with cotton, polyester, blends, and many other fabrics. DTG is generally better suited to cotton and cotton-rich garments.
4.What equipment do I need for T-shirt printing?
The setup depends on the printing method. DTF normally requires transfer film, adhesive powder, curing, and a heat press. DTG workflows may require garment pretreatment and curing equipment.
5.What size T-shirt printer should I choose?
Match the size to the designs and products you print most. Compact printers handle smaller designs and lower volumes, while wider formats leave more room for large, full-front graphics.
6.How much should I budget for a T-shirt printing setup?
Include more than the printer price. Consumables, curing equipment, heat pressing, workspace, and expected production volume all affect the total cost of starting and running the setup.
