The speed of Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing varies depending on the type of printer used and the color of the garment. Based on the provided information, here's a breakdown:
Understanding DTG Print Speeds
DTG printing involves directly printing ink onto textiles and garments. The speed at which a shirt can be printed is influenced by several factors, including the machine's technology, the complexity of the design, and whether a white underbase is required for dark garments.
The reference highlights two main categories of printers: commercial-grade and industrial DTG printers.
Commercial-Grade DTG Printers
These printers are typically found in smaller operations or businesses with moderate production volumes. The print time for a single shirt on a commercial-grade DTG printer is generally slower than their industrial counterparts.
- Speed: 3 to 5 minutes per shirt.
Industrial DTG Printers
Designed for high-volume production, industrial DTG printers are built for speed and efficiency. They significantly reduce the time it takes to print each garment, especially on light-colored fabrics.
- Speed: Industrial DTG printers can achieve much faster print times. The reference states that print times on industrial DTG printers can be as fast as 30 seconds per shirt on dark garments and 10 seconds per shirt on a white/light garment.
Speed Comparison
To visualize the difference in speed, especially for high-volume tasks, consider the following table based on the reference:
| Printer Type | Garment Color | Approximate Time Per Shirt |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial-Grade | Any | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Industrial | Dark Garments | As fast as 30 seconds |
| Industrial | White/Light | As fast as 10 seconds |
This table clearly shows the substantial speed advantage offered by industrial-grade machines, particularly when printing on light-colored shirts where no white underbase layer is needed, allowing for extremely fast production cycles.
