FAQs
1. How many colors can I produce using a DTG printer?
Epson's DTG printers feature 5-color inks, namely cyan, magenta, yellow, black & white. Users can just purchase the 4 inks (cyan, magenta, yellow & black) when printing on light-colored garments only.
2. Do I need to do anything to the garment before printing with a DTG printer?
Light-colored garments
Don't have to do anything. The ink will sink into the light-colored garment itself.
Dark-colored garments
Apply 1 layer of pre-treatment on the garment before printing. After that, a layer of white ink is required as a base layer before your colored design can be printed on top.
Don't have to do anything. The ink will sink into the light-colored garment itself.
Dark-colored garments
Apply 1 layer of pre-treatment on the garment before printing. After that, a layer of white ink is required as a base layer before your colored design can be printed on top.
3. How does the printer know to print white ink under the colors on a dark shirt?
On our Epson Garment Creator Software (which comes free with the printer), users will need to specify what garment color they are printing on, either Light Color Garment or Dark Color Garment. The software is programmed to set the print layout based on the garment color automatically.
· If 'Light Color Garment' is chosen, only CMYK inks will be used during the printing.
· If 'Dark Color Garment' is chosen, our software will automatically apply a white ink layer as a base to your garment.
· If 'Light Color Garment' is chosen, only CMYK inks will be used during the printing.
· If 'Dark Color Garment' is chosen, our software will automatically apply a white ink layer as a base to your garment.
4. Do the prints stand up to washing?
Yes, of course. We would usually advise our customers to flip the garment inwards before putting it in for machine wash.
5. I have heard a lot about maintenance on a DTG printer – how much work is required?
Any graphic inkjet printer used in a commercial environment will require daily, weekly and monthly upkeep to have the machine running in optimal condition. A direct-to-garment printer is no different.
The built-in auto-maintenance system in the printer eliminates much of the manual work, however, we recommend committing 5-10 minutes of maintenance to every day that the machine is running. The printer's auto-maintenance system helps to ensure the printhead cap stays clean all the time. The routine cleaning and maintenance procedures will be clearly covered in your training. When maintenance is performed as per our recommendations, you get a reliable print system that your business can count on.
The built-in auto-maintenance system in the printer eliminates much of the manual work, however, we recommend committing 5-10 minutes of maintenance to every day that the machine is running. The printer's auto-maintenance system helps to ensure the printhead cap stays clean all the time. The routine cleaning and maintenance procedures will be clearly covered in your training. When maintenance is performed as per our recommendations, you get a reliable print system that your business can count on.
6. How much does it cost to print a t-shirt?
Based on DTG printing, the cost to print 1 t-shirt will vary depending on factors such as:
1. Size and design of the printout
2. Color of the t-shirt used for printing (Light or Dark)
3. Quality setting of printout based on an A3 size full print
The ink cost*:
(a) Light-Colored Garment would cost less than RM1.50 (Light color garment printing is cheaper as it does not require white ink and pre-treatment usage).
(b) Dark-Colored Garment would cost a maximum of RM15 (Based on highest quality setting and inclusive of pre-treatment cost).
*The above is just an approximate costing for inks, exclusive of:
X T-shirt cost. Depending on supplier selection, may cost between RM7-15/piece. Buying in bulk would be cheaper.
X Electricity bill
X Worker's salary and other miscellaneous costs
1. Size and design of the printout
2. Color of the t-shirt used for printing (Light or Dark)
3. Quality setting of printout based on an A3 size full print
The ink cost*:
(a) Light-Colored Garment would cost less than RM1.50 (Light color garment printing is cheaper as it does not require white ink and pre-treatment usage).
(b) Dark-Colored Garment would cost a maximum of RM15 (Based on highest quality setting and inclusive of pre-treatment cost).
*The above is just an approximate costing for inks, exclusive of:
X T-shirt cost. Depending on supplier selection, may cost between RM7-15/piece. Buying in bulk would be cheaper.
X Electricity bill
X Worker's salary and other miscellaneous costs
7. How do you keep the ink from bleeding through from the front to the back of the garment?
Using our Epson Garment Creator Software, the user is able to adjust the ink density accordingly.
For our commercial DTG printer SC-F3030, the machine offers more accurate dot alignment with the new ink droplet placement technology. Therefore, you can expect improved ink droplet straightness and overall sharper prints, especially for small fonts on garments. With that, our customers have not encounter ink bleed-through from the front to the back of the garment.
For our commercial DTG printer SC-F3030, the machine offers more accurate dot alignment with the new ink droplet placement technology. Therefore, you can expect improved ink droplet straightness and overall sharper prints, especially for small fonts on garments. With that, our customers have not encounter ink bleed-through from the front to the back of the garment.
