DTG Checklist
For First-Time Entrepreneurs

☐ DTG printer & ink (available from Epson)

☐ Heat press

A heat press is used to remove creases from T-shirts, and to fix the pre-treatment solution and ink. Your heat press needs to be larger than your platen and able to sustain a temperature of 338 °F (170 °C) or more for 90 seconds.

☐ Heat resistant release sheet

A heat-resistant release sheet is placed over the T-shirt to prevent any pre-treatment solution or ink from sticking to the heat press. You can use parchment (silicone) paper, Teflon (fluoro-resin) sheets, or other types of heat-resistant material.

☐ T-shirts

For best results, use a T-shirt that is 100% cotton with thick and tightly woven (ringspun) material. Printing on materials with high polyester content will result in more subdued colors.

☐ Pre-treatment solution (available from Epson)

Pre-treatment solution is necessary for printing White ink. For best results, use a paint roller or sprayer to apply pre-treatment solution to the T-shirt.

☐ Pre-treatment roller set

Consist of a paint roller and tray. Choose a paint roller made of short polyester fiber with excellent liquid absorption. Apply pre-treatment solution evenly onto the roller and use a different roller for each color.

☐ Pre-treatment machine

A pre-treatment machine is used to spray the pre-treatment solution onto the T-shirt. Quicker and easier than using a paint roller.

☐ Distilled water

Use distilled or purified water to dilute the pre-treatment solution.

☐ Sticky tape or lint roller

☐ Computer

☐ Rack for organizing garments

☐ Hangers for garments

☐ Adequate space for production, roughly 500 sq ft.