One of the most frequently asked questions is:How much money can I earn with DTG?" I "Is direct-to-garment printing profitable?The short answer is yes, you can definitely make money with DTG! We've created a simple infographic to help you understand how much you can earn with personalized t-shirt printing.
Find out why DTG printing is profitable
Simply put, profit = your cost - your selling price. If it costs $3.00 to print a personalized T-shirt and sell it for $13, your pocket profit is $10.00.
For simplicity, we have used some simple numbers as an example, but please note that there may be some variance depending on factors such as market, location, t-shirt design and brand. To be on the safe side, these are conservative estimates based on common industry averages.
For example, the ink cost for a T-shirt depends on the printed image. Printing a small chest logo on a light T-shirt costs just $0.25, while a highly saturated 16 x 20 inch image (requiring white ink) on a dark T-shirt costs $0.25. Up to $1.50.
Likewise, the cost of a t-shirt varies depending on the brand, quality and style of the t-shirt. The average t-shirt costs about $2.50 to $4.00 per t-shirt when bought in bulk.
You have a lot of leeway when it comes to setting the retail price of your printed t-shirts, but you need to have a good idea of how much your customers are willing to pay for your product. T-shirts range in price from $10 for regular shirts to over $50 for designer T-shirts. Be sure to do your research - why is your competitor paying? How much do local stores and popular websites charge? Then set the price accordingly.
Is it really that easy to make money with DTG?
Yes and no. As you can see in our example, the concept of making money with DTG is very simple. Design a t-shirt, print it and sell it for a profit. However, as with any business, you need to work on building a customer base and increasing sales.
The good news is that direct-to-garment printing offers plenty of opportunities to grow your income and build a scalable business from home. company.
So how do you sell 500 or even 1000 T-shirts?
Now that you understand the potential profits you can make with DTG, how do you actually start selling T-shirts? How much can you sell for? It's all about building a customer base and one of the easiest ways to get started is to resell to friends and family. Do you or someone you know have children in elementary school, high school, or college? Tell everyone you know that you can get beautiful custom T-shirts printed for a great price (don't forget to post your awesome designs on social media!) - and don't forget to always ask for suggestions.
Some of our most successful clients have grown their business through word of mouth alone. For example Andre Howard, ownerDesign 2 ink, bought a Ricoh DTG printer and started a side businessHe was printing T-shirts while still working full time.Focused on networking and delivering exceptional customer service, Andre has managed so many businesses that he quit his day job to focus fully on his DTG business - all while financing his first printer just two months later.
Tonya and Troy Ferguson zclothing with bee printThey have a similar story. By selling t-shirts to their network of friends and family, they were able to build such a large business that they had to buy a second Ricoh DTG printer a month after purchasing their first machine to keep up with demand.
The power of free samples
One of the best, time-tested tips for starting a business is giving away a free t-shirt. Many of our customers have found this to be a very effective way to build their first customer base in the beginning.
Come up with a design that includes your company name, contact information and the fact that you can print in unlimited colors with no minimum order and set-up costs. Be sure to leave room for an oversized logo. Target local schools and businesses and proactively send or deliver custom logos or mascot samples to them.
Since their logo is on the t-shirt, they'll probably want to wear it - and since you put your company name and a short description of the sale on the t-shirt, they'll know exactly who it is when they're there ready for. Please contact them if you are purchasing custom t-shirts.
Speaking of free samples…
So now that you understand the basics of making money with DTG, you may have a lot of questions. Ricoh DTG committed to production and serviceThe best direct-to-garment printer in the industry; Our team also takes pride in working with customers. We're committed to getting you started at DTG, and we're by your side to support your business as it grows.
Call our team at 1-877-381-9546 or contact us using the form belowRequest a deluxe sample pack, along with pricing information, eligibility for special discounts and more tips on how to run your own successful t-shirt business with Ricoh's award-winning DTG printers.
Contact us!
FAQs
Can I make money with a DTG printer? ›
Unlike other methods, such as screen printing, DTG has low setup costs for a print job, making it profitable with small orders and one-offs. The greatest advantage of DTG is easy customization. Use your favorite graphic design software to create and edit text and images however you or your customer pleases.
Is DTG business profitable? ›Every print shop has had someone walk in and get frustrated that they can't simply order one t-shirt. If you build a business model that can accommodate small orders, DTG printing can be highly profitable and effective.
Is DTG worth it? ›DTG printing has many advantages over screen printing. First, it's much faster - you can print a fullcolor image in minutes, as opposed to hours for screen printing. Second, there's no set up time or costs involved - you can print any design you like, without having to create a screen first.
What all can you make with a DTG printer? ›The most common business categories using dtg printing are: custom made apparel, fashion textile printing, and promotional/advertising.
How many shirts can a DTG printer print per hour? ›Using the process we just described, a DTG printer will produce about 20 shirts per hour depending on a wide variety of factors. Many high-volume shops buy dozens of machines to do DTG printing.
Is DTF printing profitable? ›If you have smaller orders and need superior print quality and durability, DTF printing may be the more profitable option. However, if you're looking for a fast and cost-effective solution for short runs of more intricate designs, then DTG printing may be the better choice.
Is DTG the future? ›A DTG machine operator generally only loads and unloads garments. If it hasn't happened already, DTG printing likely is in your future. With advances in inks, pretreatment and machines, this transition is becoming a much easier process to conquer.
Do printing companies make a lot of money? ›It is certainly a lucrative industry, with growing demand.
Is t-shirt design profitable? ›A t-shirt business is a profitable business model, especially with the help of modern-day print on demand (POD) services. Entrepreneurs must nail down their POD provider and select a t-shirt niche through market research.
Which is better DTF or DTG? ›Fabric Type: DTF printing works well on a wide range of fabrics, while DTG printing is best suited for 100% cotton or cotton blend fabrics. Design Complexity: DTF printing can handle intricate designs with ease, while DTG printing may struggle with small details and fine lines.
How long do DTG shirts last? ›
A quality DTG print can potentially get dozens of washes before it starts fading. Done correctly, screen printing doesn't have this durability problem. Sure, if the ink isn't applied or cured properly, even plastisol can fade or deteriorate.
How long should a DTG print last? ›A number that you hear thrown around is that the industry standard for printed clothing is 50 washes. Many agree, however, that DTG prints will last longer than that. Another way to look at it is that direct-to-garment prints tend to last the life of the garment — and age along with it.
How many shirts can a DTG printer print in a day? ›“How many shirts can I print with a set of DTG printer cartridges?” The short answer is 194 shirts, or 3,039 shirts or 64,516 shirts.
What type of shirt is best for DTG printing? ›What Makes a Shirt a Great Candidate for DTG Printing? 100% ringpsun cotton is the best choice when it comes to DTG shirt printing for a super tight bond and smooth design. Even cotton and polyester blends can work very well too, as well as triblends, with special care taken throughout the printing and curing process.
What is the best alternative to DTG? ›Dye-sublimation printing works much like DTG printing in that you use a special digital printer to print the images onto the transfer paper, and then you place the paper into a heat press onto the garment which turns the solid ink into a gas, which penetrates the fibers of the fabric.
Which is cheaper DTF or DTG? ›DTG printers can be more expensive upfront but often offer lower running costs as less ink is required and the prints are long-lasting. On the other hand, purchasing DTF machinery tends to be cheaper initially but may need regular investment to keep up with demand as print runs will be larger and quicker.
How long does it take to make a DTG shirt? ›QUESTION: How long does it take to print a shirt on a DTG printer? ANSWER: It depends on the design and the specific printer model, but a standard sized 10 x 10 inch design on a white shirt at 720 dpi will print in approximately one minute.
What is the max DTG print size? ›Our max print size for Direct to Garment Printing is 16 inches x 20 inches.
How much profit should I make on print on demand? ›Managing a print-on-demand shop is less risky, yet with higher ROI. Owners don't need to invest in an offline store, manufacturer, or inventory. They also don't have to deliver products to buyers. As mentioned in the first section, owners can get an average profit margin of 15% to 20%.
Can you make a lot of money with print on demand? ›The answer is yes. I've been making money selling Print on Demand T-Shirts online for over 6 years. In my first month (August 2013) I made just $50. But for the past 3-4 years, my average monthly income from Print on Demand has been between $9,000 – $15,000.
How much does DTF ink cost? ›
The typical price of decent DTF ink is 10ml per dollar. So we get the cost of ink for one shirt is 0.25 dollars. 100 pieces of printing film cost 70 dollars, equivalent to 0.7 dollar per sheet.
Is DTG high quality? ›Print Quality and Durability
DTG prints are some of the best you'll get compared to the other printing methods. Because the inks are injected directly into the garment, and designs are created straight from your computer, you'll create high-quality, full-color designs with the softest hand among the competition.
Slow Production Speed
DTG printing is actually much slower than traditional screen printing. It is just that DTG doesn't require setup, unlike screen printing, where the process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. This makes DTG printing very expensive for an order of a few dozen compared to screen printing.
Vinyl is much more durable than DTG. That's because it uses ink that covers the entire garment rather than just the surface.
Is printing a stressful job? ›Stress levels are high in the printing business: work is done under time pressure and there are high concentration requirements and frequent interruptions [4].
How do I succeed in printing business? ›- Great Quality Work. Signarama has built up a reputation as a quality one-stop shop for all of our customers' signage needs since 1986. ...
- Great Customer Service. ...
- Get Involved in Community Organizations. ...
- Market and Promote the Business. ...
- Advertise. ...
- Protect the Brand.
It would be best to aim for at least 25% profit on each print, but you may want to increase this margin depending on your expenses and other factors. 7. Taxation – Remember that you may need to pay taxes on the income earned from selling prints. Check with your accountant or tax advisor to find out how this applies.
How much profit should I make per shirt? ›Average T-Shirt Profit Margins
Average custom t-shirt industry markups tend to fall between 30% to 50%. For example, if your total printing and shipping costs add up to $20 and you decide on a 30% profit margin, the retail price will be $20 + ($20 x 30%) = $26. Making your profit $6.
Selling T-shirts with your art, words or anything else printed on them is a great way to exercise your creativity and make money. A T-shirt business can make you a small profit on every unit you sell, which can add up to a great source of extra income.
Is DTG better quality than sublimation? ›Sublimation printing works better on lighter colored fabric because of the way the ink blends into the fibers. To print on black or dark colors, DTG is a better printing method. Range of colors in the image. Sublimation has some color limitations, especially white.
Is DTG printing easy? ›
DTG works best on 100% cotton, but cotton blends are also suitable. The main advantage of DTG is that it's easy to print one-offs because there's almost no setup time.
What are the disadvantages of direct to film? ›Disadvantages of Direct to Film Printing
Washability: DTF transfer do not last as long as garments that are screen printed. DTF will fade much faster than a shirt properly cured. Feel of the shirt: Shirts that use DTF will have a rougher feel compared to t shirts that are screen printed.
Since the ink is water-based, the pigments are not able to adhere correctly to the polyester, causing a faded look. If the fading comes after washing the garment, then it's most likely due to the inks being under cured. Before the inks can cook adequately, printers need to remove the water from the garment.
Why is my DTG print fading? ›If too little pretreatment is applied on dark-colored garments, they will appear faded. This is caused because the amount of pretreatment applied is not enough to help bind the fibers and the white ink together. This situation creates fading colors.
How many washes does DTG have? ›If you're curious about how many wash cycles DTG printing has, well, the official number is 50 cycles. However, many customers and printers say it can last through a lot more wash cycles without fading or losing its edges. But you need to understand that this can only happen if certain criteria are met.
Can you wash DTG prints? ›All fabrics produced with the use of DTG and DTF technologies require gentle handling as far as it concerns washing, drying and ironing. The print is sensitive towards harsh conditions such as high temperature and high rpm washing cycles, meaning that the colors will fade, the inks will crack and even peel off.
Is DTG printing shiny? ›Close the heat press under medium pressure for your normal curing time and, once removed, you should see a nice glossy print.
How many shirts can be manufactured in a day? ›How many shirts are made by factories per day per machine? From this online survey result I found that there is a big gap in between minimum and maximum machine productivity figures. It ranges from 6.67 pieces to 28.57 pieces per day (formal shirts).
Can DTG print on dark shirts? ›Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing on dark color fabrics can seem to be a tricky undertaking. However with skill and practice it is certainly feasible. You can achieve photo-quality color images on a dark shirt with the right approach. And the results will be stunning and eye-catching.
What shirt printing method lasts the longest? ›Sublimated Prints and Screen Prints are considered to be the ones that would last longest. Screen printing has been around for a long time, so there are many different variations of it. Screen printing is the most popular form of t-shirt decoration, especially with slogans and cartoons.
Does DTG work on 100% cotton? ›
In the Print on Demand industry, it's a well-known fact that DTG printers work best on 100% cotton fabrics. If you're after outstanding print quality, t-shirts made from cotton are your best bet.
Is screen printing better than DTG? ›Screen printing lasts anywhere from 25 to 50% longer and is ideal for something like sports or business uniforms, but if you're looking to sell custom t-shirts or other custom apparel – DTG prints are the way to go.
Can DTG print on any shirt? ›What kind of t-shirts can you DTG print on? DTG printing works best on 100% cotton t-shirts to achieve the best color vibrancy. However, a poly-cotton blend can also result in a good quality print as well, depending on its cotton content.
What is better than DTF? ›Unlike DTF printing, DTG is best suited for natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, linen, or such fabric blends. That's because the ink binds with the natural fabric fibers better than synthetic fabrics.
Is DTG printing cost effective? ›For designs that are intricate or feature multiple colors, DTF printing can be a cost-effective option compared to other printing techniques. Unlike traditional methods that require color separation or additional setup costs, DTF printing allows for the printing of a wide color gamut in a single pass.
Is shirt printing business profitable? ›A t-shirt business is a profitable business model, especially with the help of modern-day print on demand (POD) services. Entrepreneurs must nail down their POD provider and select a t-shirt niche through market research.
Is print on demand a profitable business? ›Low Risk and High ROI Business
Managing a print-on-demand shop is less risky, yet with higher ROI. Owners don't need to invest in an offline store, manufacturer, or inventory. They also don't have to deliver products to buyers. As mentioned in the first section, owners can get an average profit margin of 15% to 20%.
The answer is yes. I've been making money selling Print on Demand T-Shirts online for over 6 years. In my first month (August 2013) I made just $50. But for the past 3-4 years, my average monthly income from Print on Demand has been between $9,000 – $15,000.
Can you make money from t-shirt printing? ›Selling T-shirts with your art, words or anything else printed on them is a great way to exercise your creativity and make money. A T-shirt business can make you a small profit on every unit you sell, which can add up to a great source of extra income.
Is it profitable to sell T-shirts online? ›Selling T-shirts online is one of the most profitable business ideas due to the ever-growing global industry. The business is also versatile, as a single T-shirt store can target different demographics.
Is clothes printing a good business? ›
Custom t-shirts are already in demand, so you just have to deliver the best product to win the customer. A report by Forbes says that 73% of companies that deliver above-average experience have better financial performance as compared to other companies. The tshirt printing business will always be lucrative.
How much can you make a month with print on demand? ›| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $96,000 | $8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,500 | $5,791 |
| Average | $55,675 | $4,639 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,500 | $2,708 |
You can really make money with print on demand as long as you have the right fulfillment partners, store platforms, marketing tactics, and products. Having as many high quality designs that you can upload to as many platforms as possible will increase your chances of success and driving revenue.
Can you make passive income with print on demand? ›Print-on-demand stores are a good passive income stream because: You can create products quickly and put them up for sale in minutes. Shipping and fulfillment is taken care of by your supplier. Once your store is set up, you can automate many marketing and sales processes.
Can you live off print on demand? ›Print on Demand offers the perfect opportunity to make a living from home. If you get the basics right and put in the time and effort, you could sell items from your online store within hours. This article will teach you how to launch your online store and join the eCommerce revolution the right way.
What is the success rate of print on demand? ›The average profit margin for print-on-demand businesses is around 30%. This statistic is a key indicator of the success of print-on-demand businesses, as it reveals the average amount of profit they are able to generate.
How much money can I make on Printify? ›Let's say you decide on a retail price of $26.99 for all size variants. In that case, your average profit would be $12.62 (or 47%). The retail price you choose for your products is completely up to you, however, we recommend a minimum profit margin of 40% for your business to grow with Printify.
How to start a shirt business with no money? ›- Find a t-shirt niche. Decide on the type of t-shirts you want to sell.
- Set up a t-shirt store. Build your own website or create a shop on an ecommerce platform or marketplace.
- Connect your store to Printful. ...
- Design a t-shirt. ...
- Put your t-shirt up for sale. ...
- Grow your t-shirt business.
Frequently Asked Questions
One can easily start a t-shirt printing business with little investment of Rs. 50000 to Rs. 100000.
What can I print on a t-shirt? This is a very sweeping question and the answer will depend on the specific circumstances. But for a safe answer: you can print anything on a t-shirt that is under public domain without infringing copyright laws. Public domain includes artworks that have expired from their copyright.