5 Best T-Shirt Printing Machines For Small Business
Author : KingJet
2025-12-26
Do you know what’s most crucial for a small T-shirt printing business to succeed? It’s choosing the right t-shirt printing machine. That’s right! A high-quality printer can handle everything for you. Not only does it make your work easier, but it also boosts your profits. The good news is, there are many compact yet powerful printers perfectly suited for small businesses. They come equipped with practical features you might need.
When it comes to T-shirt printing, several methods are currently available, such as screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, and sublimation printing. Screen printing and sublimation printing are quite complex to operate and require relatively high upfront investment. This makes them less friendly for small businesses or beginners. On the other hand, DTG and DTF printers are the best choices for small T-shirt printing businesses.
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Why Do Small Business Need to Buy a T-Shirt Printer Machine
If your small business currently lacks a printer, you might wonder: Should I really buy a t-shirt printing machine? The answer is a resounding yes. Here are some compelling reasons:
Eliminate Reliance on Third-Party Suppliers
Owning a t-shirt printing machine means you can provide services without relying on external suppliers. You can design and sell customized products as needed. For example, you can take small-batch orders for team apparel. This gives you more control over your business operations and allows you to respond quickly to customer needs.
Save on Costs and Expenses
Producing T-shirts in-house helps you save on costs and materials. You only print the quantity you need, avoiding unnecessary bulk orders and inventory buildup. This is especially beneficial for small businesses with limited budgets, as it helps you control business expenses and avoid being tied up in large amounts of unsold inventory.
Fast Delivery
When you outsource printing, you need to wait for sample calibration – testing – printing, a rather slow process. However, with your own T-shirt printer, you can deliver quickly without relying on third-party printers. This gives you a competitive edge in the market, especially when customers expect quick delivery.
No Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) Restrictions
Many printing companies require you to meet a certain minimum order quantity. But with your own T-shirt printing equipment, you gain the freedom to accept all kinds of custom orders, regardless of amount. Whether it’s a single T-shirt or a small batch order, you can handle it with ease. This flexibility allows you to serve a broader customer base and meet their specific needs.
Complete Creative Freedom
Owning your own t-shirt printing machine allows you to experiment with different designs, themes, or trending phrases anytime, with no minimum order requirements. You can unleash your creativity to offer customers unique and personalized T-shirts. This helps you stand out in a competitive market and attract more business.
5 Best T-shirt Printing Machines for Small Businesses
DTG Printer (Direct-to-Garment T-Shirt Printer)
If you’re seeking premium, soft, and vibrant prints, this DTG printer will impress you. Designed for small businesses pursuing high quality, it delivers sophisticated results without requiring industrial-grade equipment.
Its standout feature is the dual EPSON printheads paired with a 9-color ink system (CMYKRGBOW). This combination handles intricate designs with ease, delivering exceptionally smooth gradients, vibrant hues, and photo-realistic detail.
Additionally, the optional visual positioning system ensures precise alignment, enabling you to print embroidery-like 3D textures that elevate your T-shirt products with a premium feel.
Product Specifications
- Print heads: 2 * EPSON I3200 heads
- Print width: 38x48cm
- Color configuration: CMYKWRGBO (9-color)
Advantages:
High-quality printing: 9-color printing capability ensures rich, vibrant colors on your T-shirts, making your designs stand out. The vision positioning system further enhances printing accuracy, creating professional-grade products.
Versatility: It can handle various design types, including complex graphics and simulated embroidery. This provides you with more creative options when designing T-shirts for clients.
Suitable for small-batch production: The A3 size is suitable for small-batch orders, allowing you to meet customization needs without investing in a large printer.
Disadvantages:
Dark-colored clothing requires pre-treatment.
Mass production speed is not as fast as DTF printers.
Slightly higher initial cost: Models equipped with multiple printheads and advanced features such as the vision positioning system have a relatively high initial purchase cost, which may pose a challenge for small businesses with limited budgets.
Desktop A3 DTF Printer
If you are a beginner or on a limited budget, the desktop A3 DTF printer is a worthwhile entry-level t-shirt printing device. It is small and inexpensive, but its overall performance is average.
Product Specifications
- Print head: 1 * EPSON XP00 heads
- Print width: 33cm
- Color configuration: 5 colors (CMYKW)
Advantages:
Suitable for printing on almost all fabrics and suitable for home studios.
Affordable: Compared to some large-format DTF printers, the A30 DTF printer is more affordable.
Compact Size: Its relatively small size makes it easy to place in small workspaces.
Disadvantages:
Limited Color Range: With only 5 colors, its color range is not as wide as other multi-head printers.
Slower Printing Speed: Compared to some more advanced models, its printing speed may be slower. This could be a disadvantage if you need to complete large orders in a short time.
12-Inch DTF Printer
Designed specifically for small businesses, it’s compact yet powerful. It offers multiple printhead configurations, allowing you to choose speed and quality based on your budget.
Product Specifications
- Print heads: 2 * EPSON xp600/i1600/i3200 printheads optional
- Print width: 12-inch/A2
- Color configuration: 5 colors (CMYKW)
Advantages:
Flexible printhead selection: Different printheads offer different print quality and speed, giving you more control over the printing process.
Space-saving design: Its compact size means you can place it in a corner of an office or workshop, which is especially important for small businesses with limited space.
Good print quality: Despite its small size, it still produces high-quality prints.
Disadvantages:
Printing width and speed are not as good as 24-inch models.
5-color printing has limited color options, which may affect the vibrancy and detail of your designs, especially for complex graphics.
All-in-One DTF Printer
If you want maximum efficiency in a minimal space, the all-in-one DTF Printer is the perfect choice. It integrates printing, powder shaking, and drying into one machine.
Product Specifications
- Print heads: 2 * EPSON xp600/i1600/i3200 printheads optional
- Print width: 12-inch/A2
- Color configuration: 5 colors (CMYKW)
- Compact design, space-saving, and superior performance.
Advantages:
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Convenient all-in-one printing: Integrated printing, powder shaking, and drying functions simplify the production process.
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Space-saving: Its compact design allows you to make the most of available space.
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High-quality output: Epson printheads ensure high-quality prints with clear details and vibrant colors.
Disadvantages:
Slightly higher initial cost than separate DTF printers.
Maintenance is relatively more complex due to the integration of multiple functions.
24-Inch DTF Printer
If you are preparing to expand your t-shirt printing business or handle large orders, the 24-inch DTF printer is your best choice. It is equipped with dual I3200 printheads, offering high speed and accuracy.
Product Specifications
- Print heads: 2 * EPSON i3200 printheads
- Print width: 24-inch/60cm
- Color configuration: 5 colors (CMYKW)
- High-speed, high-precision printing.
- Equipped with an energy-saving DTF powder shaker.
- Hidden smoke purifier for enhanced space efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Advantages:
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High-volume production: The 24-inch print width and high-speed printing capabilities make it ideal for high-volume production.
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Environmental performance: The energy-saving DTF powder shaker machine and smoke purifier reduce the environmental impact of the printing process.
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High-precision printing: The Epson I3200 printhead is renowned for its high precision, ensuring your T-shirt designs are reproduced with extremely high detail and accuracy.
Disadvantages:
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Larger size: The 24-inch print width means the printer is relatively large.
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Higher initial and operating costs: The combination of a large printer, energy-saving equipment, and a smoke purifier results in slightly higher initial and operating costs.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Good T-Shirt Printing Machine
Print Size
When selecting a t-shirt printing machine, first determine the design size you intend to print. Some machines are only capable of handling small-scale patterns, while others can print large designs across an entire T-shirt.
Print Speed
Print speed is also a crucial factor in choosing the right t-shirt printer. If your business requires rapid production of large orders or you frequently face tight deadlines, a high-speed printer will make your work much easier. The faster the speed, the higher your production efficiency.
Budget
Establishing a clear budget before beginning your search is crucial. While high-end printers command a higher price, they typically deliver superior print quality and longer service life. Entry-level devices are more budget-friendly but may offer limited functionality. You need to balance initial investment with future production capacity to select the model that best aligns with your business needs.
Material Compatibility
Not every printer works perfectly with all fabric types. Some printers excel on cotton, while others perform better on polyester or blended fabrics. Carefully consider the materials you print most frequently to ensure your chosen printer aligns with your product line, avoiding unnecessary expenses from incompatible equipment.
Ease of Use
A printer with straightforward operation saves time and reduces errors. Features like automatic cleaning and smart control panels significantly boost efficiency. For beginners, choosing an intuitive device simplifies the learning curve and accelerates achieving consistent print results.
Conclusion
Starting a t-shirt printing business is one of the most promising and accessible small-scale entrepreneurial ventures today. However, your success largely depends on the t-shirt printer you choose.
While screen printing and sublimation printing produce durable, long-lasting t-shirts, their operation can be relatively complex for beginners or small businesses. The DTG printer is compact and capable of achieving high-quality, detailed prints. Meanwhile, the DTF printer is renowned for its versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Understanding these different T-shirt printing technologies will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
To learn more about t-shirt printing machines, consult the professional KingJet team with 18 years of experience in the printer industry. We will provide you with exclusive services. Contact Us Now
FAQ
Which t-shirt printing machine is best?
Overall, the DTF printer (Direct-to-Film) is the optimal choice. Why? Because DTF offers:
Compatibility with all fabrics: cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, leather—printing on both dark and light colors.
No pre-treatment required: DTG printing on dark garments requires spraying a pre-treatment solution, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. DTF completely eliminates this step.
Low cost, high profit: Initial investment costs are relatively lower compared to other t-shirt printers, offering substantial profit margins.
Ideal for small batches, customization, and on-demand printing: There are no minimum order requirements. You can accept orders for a single piece or 100 pieces, providing greater flexibility and freedom in printing.
What are the main differences between DTG and DTF printers?
The main difference lies in the printing process.
DTG printers use inkjet technology to directly print the design onto the T-shirt, similar to how ordinary inkjet printers print on media. DTF printers, on the other hand, first print the design onto a special film. Then, hot melt adhesive powder is evenly applied to the printed film and heat-cured. Finally, a heat press is used to transfer the design onto the T-shirt.
DTG is generally more suitable for high-quality, detailed printing on cotton fabrics, while DTF is more versatile in terms of fabric types, producing vibrant and durable printing effects on both light and dark T-shirts.
A more detailed comparison between DTF printers and DTG printers
How much does a T-shirt printing machine cost?
If you’re looking to start with a DTF printer, it’s a high-value investment because DTF printers are ideal for shops that print in small batches. A compact 12-inch/A2 model with two XP600 heads costs around $3,000-$4,000 and can meet most of your high-quality T-shirt printing needs.
