Top 5 DTG Printers for Newbies in

Looking for beginner-friendly DTG printers under $10,000 in 2025? Here are five practical options with key specs, costs, and usage notes. This guide covers print quality, speed, ink costs, and maintenance.
No hype, just clear info for first-time DTG users.

What to Know Before Buying a DTG Printer

• Budget: Entry-level DTG models start around $5,000 and go up to $10,000.
• Print Size: Standard platen sizes range from 12”×16” to 16”×20”.
• Maintenance: Daily cleaning is needed to prevent clogging.
• Inks: Water-based pigment inks are common; white ink costs more.
• Software: Most printers require RIP software for color management.

Check out DTG Printing on Black Shirt Guide Here

Comparison Table: DTG Printers for Beginners

Printer Model	Price (Approx)	Print Size	Max Resolution	Speed (A4)	Best For
Epson SureColor F2100	$9,995	16″×20″	1440×720 dpi	~2–3 min	Beginners needing reliability
Brother GTX Pro	$9,995	16″×21″	1200 dpi	~2–4 min	Users printing dark shirts
Ricoh Ri 1000X	$8,995	13″×19″	1200×1200 dpi	~3 min	Small shops, light/medium volume
Omniprint FreeJet 330TX	$9,995	14″×18″	2880 dpi	~2–3 min	Shops needing fine detail prints
DTG Digital M2	$9,500	16″×24″	1440 dpi	~3–4 min	Users needing larger format

Prices vary by dealer and region; expect add-ons for platens and RIP software.

My Take on DTG Printing Machines

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printers are like advanced inkjet printers that print designs directly onto fabric. They use water-based inks that soak into the shirt, giving sharp, vibrant results, great for small runs and one-offs. Check out our guide on What is DTG Printing?

1. Epson SureColor F2100

• Price: ~$9,995
• Strengths: Reliable hardware, strong tech support, simple software interface.
• Weak Spots: Slower on dark garments; white ink costs add up.
• Ideal For: Beginners who need consistency and lower risk of downtime.

2. Brother GTX Pro

• Price: ~$9,995
• Strengths: Large platen, high-quality color output, fast dark shirt printing.
• Weak Spots: Higher ink consumption; requires daily maintenance.
• Ideal For: Shops focused on black and dark-colored t-shirts.

3. Ricoh Ri 1000X

• Price: ~$8,995
• Strengths: Compact footprint, touchscreen interface, auto-cleaning functions.
• Weak Spots: Slightly smaller print area than Epson/Brother.
• Ideal For: Small shops with limited space or lower print volumes.

4. Omniprint FreeJet 330TX

• Price: ~$9,995
• Strengths: High resolution (2880 dpi), prints sharp detail on cotton.
• Weak Spots: Steeper learning curve for beginners; requires RIP expertise.
• Ideal For: Users needing maximum detail in custom prints.

5. DTG Digital M2

• Price: ~$9,500
• Strengths: Larger platen (16”×24”), supports multiple shirts in one pass.
• Weak Spots: Slower compared to newer models; more space required.
• Ideal For: Users wanting larger or multi-garment printing.

Practical Tips for Newbies

• Start with cotton t-shirts before trying blends.
• Budget for ink, pretreatment, and maintenance kits.
• Keep the printer in a temperature-controlled room.
• Use genuine inks for warranty coverage and print consistency.
• Plan for training time, the RIP software has a learning curve.

Pros and Cons of DTG Printing

Pros

• Prints full-color, detailed designs with no screens needed
• Works well for small runs and one-off shirts
• Handles photorealistic images with high accuracy
• Easier setup compared to screen printing

Cons

• Slower for bulk production compared to screen printing
• White ink is costly and requires regular maintenance
• Best results only on cotton or high-cotton blends
• Daily cleaning needed to avoid clogs

Which Is Better: DTG or DTF?

Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

• Prints directly on cotton or cotton-rich fabrics.
• Produces soft, breathable prints with fine detail.
• Best for small orders and photorealistic designs.

Direct-to-Film (DTF)

• Prints onto a film, then transfers onto fabric with heat.
• Works on more fabric types, including polyester, blends, and dark colors.
• Faster for bulk production and often lower maintenance.

👉 Which is better depends on your needs:

• DTG is better for cotton shirts and detailed one-offs.
• DTF is better for polyester blends and bulk runs with strong, flexible prints.

DTG Fabric Compatibility Table

Fabric Type	Print Quality	Pretreatment Needed	Durability After Wash	Best Uses
100% Cotton	Excellent	Yes (dark shirts)	High	T-shirts, hoodies, everyday wear
Cotton Blends	Good (60%+ cotton)	Yes	Moderate to High	Lightweight hoodies, sportswear
Linen	Fair (textured)	Yes	Moderate	Tote bags, pillows, artisan apparel
Polyester	Moderate	Yes (special)	High with prep	Athletic wear, promo gear
Rayon	Good with prep	Yes	Moderate	Fashion tees, dresses
Hemp	Good	Yes	High	Eco-friendly apparel
Bamboo	Good	Yes	High	Sustainable clothing lines

DTG Printing vs Embroidery

DTG Printing

• Prints digital designs directly on fabric with water-based inks.
• Works best on cotton and cotton-blend garments.
• Handles detailed, multicolor, photo-like designs with ease.
• Soft feel on fabric, almost unnoticeable to touch.
• Best for small runs, personalization, and complex graphics.

Embroidery

• Uses thread stitched into fabric to create raised designs.
• Works well on polos, jackets, hats, and uniforms.
• Best for logos, monograms, and text-based designs.
• Very durable, long-lasting, and withstands repeated washing.
• Has a premium, textured look but limited detail in small, complex graphics.

DTG vs Embroidery – Quick Comparison

Feature	DTG Printing	Embroidery
Best For	T-shirts, hoodies, cotton apparel	Polos, jackets, caps, uniforms
Design Style	Detailed, colorful, photo-quality	Simple logos, text, solid shapes
Durability	Long-lasting with care	Extremely durable, outlasts fabric
Feel on Fabric	Soft, flat, breathable	Raised, textured, premium look
Setup Needs	None (print from file)	Requires digitizing setup
Cost Efficiency	Better for small batches, full-color	Better for bulk or simple designs

🇺🇸 US DTG Printing Companies & Services

Company	Key Features	Good For / Notes
Custom One	No minimums, fast shipping, full-color DTG on cotton & blends.	Individual orders & small batches.
RushOrderTees	Design studio, many apparel options, no minimums.	Custom orders, event tees, small brands.
Custom DTG Printing (Los Angeles)	No setup fees, no minimums, fast turnaround.	Local business needing lower volume orders.
Broken Arrow Wear	Wide garment selection, supports both dark & light fabrics, no minimum order.	Customers wanting flexible options.
Printful	Print-on-demand, many product types, eco-friendly inks.	E-commerce sellers, drop shipping.
DTG Pro	Offers DTG & DTF; good reputation for color and quality.	Users who want options or garment varieties.
Imprint Maker	No setup fees, USA-based facility, quick 3-5 business day production.	Retailers or individuals needing fairly quick output.
Print Renegades	Mix of DTG, screen printing, embroidery; low minimums.	Local service with customization variety.

🧐 Pricing Examples for DTG Printing (USA)

Company / Service	Qty or Conditions	Price (Each) / Details
Custom One	No minimum DTG, simple shirt orders	~$3.34 for basic Gildan T-shirt; ~$4.99 for Bella+Canvas; ~$10.12 for sweatshirts etc.
Head To Toe Printing	Bulk orders (51-100 shirts), short-sleeves	~$11.99 each for 51-100 short-sleeve shirts; ~$15–20 for sweatshirts depending on design.
One Hour Tees	Light DTG prints, full-color front, smaller quantities	Light shirt plain front prints start ~$7.99 (7+ days turnover). Dark shirts and extra sides cost more.
Custom101 Prints	Quantity-based pricing, light vs dark garments	On white/light garments: ~ $5-$8 depending on print size & quantity; on dark garments add extra cost.

💲 DTG Printing Price Per Shirt (USA – Averages)

Quantity (Shirts)	Light Garment (White/Light Cotton)	Dark Garment (Black/Colored Cotton)	Notes
1–10	$15 – $25 each	$18 – $30 each	Higher cost due to setup & single runs
11–50	$10 – $15 each	$13 – $20 each	Small batch discounts start
51–100	$7 – $12 each	$10 – $16 each	Bulk pricing, common for small businesses
100+	$5 – $9 each	$8 – $13 each	Larger orders drop per-unit costs significantly