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Posted on by George
Tag: direct-to-garment

14 Most Frequently Asked Questions About DTG Printing

When it comes to garment printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing stands out as a cutting-edge technology revolutionizing the industry. In this article, we delve into the frequently asked questions (FAQs) surrounding DTG printing, exploring its intricacies, advantages, and challenges. From understanding the process itself to delving into the nuances of material compatibility and design intricacies, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide for both beginners and seasoned professionals navigating the realm of DTG printing. Join us as we unravel the mysteries and unveil the potential of this innovative printing technique.

1. What is Direct-to-Garment Printing?

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a modern digital printing technique that enables high-quality, full-colour designs to be printed directly onto garments such as T-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags. Unlike traditional printing methods like screen printing, which involves creating stencils and applying layers of ink, DTG printing works more like a regular inkjet printer but on fabric.

The process involves loading the garment onto a specialized printer equipped with textile inks. The printer then directly applies the ink onto the fabric, following the digital design file provided. This allows for intricate designs, vibrant colours, and detailed graphics to be reproduced accurately and efficiently.

DTG printing is highly versatile and suitable for both small and large production runs. It offers advantages such as quick turnaround times, the ability to print complex designs with gradients and fine details, and the capability to produce custom prints without the need for setup costs or minimum order quantities.

2. DTG vs Traditional Screen Printing

DTG printing excels in producing high-quality, full-color designs with intricate details and is well-suited for small to medium production runs. On the other hand, traditional screen printing is more efficient for large production runs of simple designs and offers excellent durability and colour vibrancy. The choice between the two methods depends on factors such as design complexity, production quantity, fabric type, and budget constraints.

Fabric Compatibility:

DTG Printing: Versatile and suitable for printing on various types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, and even some specialty fabrics.
Screen Printing: Works well on cotton and other natural fabrics but may not adhere as effectively to synthetic or textured fabrics.

Durability and Feel:

DTG Printing: Provides a soft feel and good durability when proper printing techniques and quality inks are used. The print becomes part of the fabric, resulting in a smooth finish.
Screen Printing: Offers excellent durability and vibrant colours. The ink sits on top of the fabric, providing a slightly raised texture and a more durable finish.

Complexity of Designs:

DTG Printing: Ideal for intricate designs, photographs, and designs with multiple colours and gradients. DTG printers can reproduce fine details accurately.
Screen Printing: Best suited for simple designs with fewer colours. Each colour in a design requires a separate screen, making it less efficient for complex designs.

3. Why Use DTG?

direct-to-garment printing

The combination of high-quality prints, versatility, quick turnaround times, and cost-effectiveness for small runs makes DTG printing a valuable tool for businesses, designers, and individuals seeking efficient and customizable garment decoration solutions.

4. Difference Between DTG and DTF Printing

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing are two distinct digital printing methods for garments. DTG printing involves directly printing ink onto fabric, resulting in vibrant, high-quality prints with intricate details and smooth gradients. On the other hand, DTF printing transfers a design from a film onto a garment using a heat press, allowing for printing on various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. While DTG printing is preferred for its versatility, ability to produce full-colour prints and soft feel, DTF printing offers advantages such as the ability to print on dark fabrics and textured surfaces, making it suitable for certain applications like personalized apparel and promotional items.

5. What Kinds of Graphics Can You Print with DTG Printing?

You can print nearly anything with DTG technology, ranging from portraits and logos to custom designs. The crucial factor lies in the quality of the graphic being printed. Graphics with good contrast, high resolution, and large bitmapped images reproduce exceptionally well, while vector images yield even better results! Here are some of the graphics you can print:

  • Complex Designs: Intricate and detailed designs with fine lines, small text, and intricate patterns can be accurately printed using DTG technology.
  • Photographic Prints: DTG printing excels at reproducing photographic images with high resolution and vibrant colours, making it suitable for printing portraits, landscapes, and other photographic artwork.
  • Multicolour Designs: DTG printers can handle designs with multiple colours and gradients seamlessly, allowing for vibrant and dynamic prints without colour limitations.
  • Logos and Branding: Company logos, branding elements, and promotional graphics can be printed onto garments with precision and clarity, helping businesses create branded apparel for marketing and promotional purposes.
  • Artwork and Illustrations: DTG printing is ideal for printing artwork and illustrations with intricate details, bold colours, and shading, enabling artists and designers to showcase their creativity on garments.
  • Text and Typography: DTG technology can print text and typography in various fonts, sizes, and styles, making it suitable for printing slogans, quotes, and custom text-based designs on garments.
  • Custom and Personalized Designs: DTG printing allows for easy customization of garments with personalized designs, names, initials, and messages, making it popular for creating unique and one-of-a-kind apparel items.

6. 2 Common Terminologies to Know in DTG Printing

  • Bitmapped Images

Refers to a graphic that is composed of individual pixels, each assigned a specific colour value. These images are also known as raster images. In contrast to vector graphics, which are defined by mathematical formulas and scalable without loss of quality, bitmapped images have a fixed resolution and may lose clarity when scaled up. Common examples of bitmapped images include photographs, digital paintings, and scanned artwork. When printing with DTG technology, bitmapped images are suitable for achieving detailed and realistic prints, especially when they have high resolution and good contrast. All scanned images are bitmaps, and all images from digital cameras are bitmaps. Common bitmap formats include bmp, jpg, tiff, gif, png, and psd.

  • Vector Images

Graphics are created using mathematical formulas to define lines, shapes, and colors. Unlike bitmapped images, which are composed of pixels and have a fixed resolution, vector images are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without loss of quality. Common file formats for vector images include SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), AI (Adobe Illustrator), and EPS (Encapsulated PostScript). Vector images are highly versatile and suitable for DTG printing because they allow for crisp, clean lines and shapes, making them ideal for logos, text, and graphics with solid colours and well-defined edges. Additionally, vector images typically result in smaller file sizes compared to bitmapped images, making them easier to manage and manipulate. Common vector formats include cdr (CorelDRAW), ai (Adobe Illustrator) and eps.

7. Can You Interchangeably Use or Convert Bitmapped Images to Vector Images (and vice-versa)?

Yes. You can use both images in using Direct to Garment printesr.

As for converting from one to another, through the use of software, you can convert one image type to another:

Converting Bitmapped to Vector Images:

There are software tools available that can attempt to automatically convert bitmapped images to vector format. However, the results may vary depending on the complexity of the image and the quality of the conversion algorithm. Simple images with clear edges and distinct colors tend to convert more successfully.

Converting Vector to Bitmapped Images:

Vector images can be exported or rasterized into bitmapped formats like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF at a specified resolution. When exporting, consider the intended use and ensure the resolution is sufficient for the desired output size to avoid loss of quality. Some vector graphics software allows for applying bitmap effects to vector objects, simulating a bitmapped appearance. This can be useful for creating artistic effects or adding texture to vector artwork.

8. Can You Just Scan an Image and Print it on a Shirt Using a DTG Printer?

Yes, you can scan an image and print it on a shirt using a DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printer. Ensure that the image possesses adequate size and contrast for optimal scanning results, and scan it at a resolution of 300 dpi or higher. Keep in mind that scanned images are bitmap-based and altering their size can result in quality loss. While slight resizing may be feasible with minimal quality degradation, significant resizing will likely lead to noticeable loss of quality.

9. How Many Colours Do DTG Printers Produce?

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DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printers are capable of producing a wide range of colors, typically exceeding the limitations of traditional screen printing methods. They can reproduce full-color designs with virtually unlimited color options, including gradients, shades, and complex color combinations. While the exact number of colors a DTG printer can produce is not strictly defined, it can effectively replicate millions of colors by mixing primary ink colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) in various proportions. This versatility allows for vibrant and detailed prints with rich color accuracy, making DTG printing suitable for reproducing intricate artwork, photographs, and designs with multicolor elements.

10. Are There Differences When Printing in a White Garment vs Black/Darker Garments in DTG Printing?

Yes, there are significant differences when printing on white garments compared to black or darker garments in DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing:

Printing on white garments is relatively straightforward since the fabric color is already light. Colors appear vibrant and true to the original design. Whereas printing on black or darker garments requires a white underbase layer to be printed first. This white layer acts as a base for the colors in the design to ensure opacity and vibrancy. The white underbase layer is essential for preventing the dark fabric color from showing through the printed colors, maintaining the integrity of the design. Colors may appear slightly muted or less vibrant compared to printing on white garments due to the layering of inks. Additional care is needed during the printing process to ensure proper curing of the white underbase and colors, as well as to prevent bleeding or smudging on dark fabrics.

11. Do I need to Treat the Garment After DTG Printing?

Yes, treating the garment after DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is typically necessary to ensure the longevity and durability of the print. The treatment process involves curing the ink using heat to bond it with the fabric fibers and improve wash fastness. The most common way is to use a heat press. This process helps set the ink into the fabric and enhances its durability and washability. The temperature and duration of heat application depend on the specific ink and fabric used.

12. Will the Ink from a DTG Printer Withstand Washing?

Yes, the ink used in DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is specifically formulated to withstand washing when properly cured and treated. After printing, the garment undergoes a curing process, typically with heat, to bond the ink with the fabric fibers. This curing process ensures that the ink becomes embedded into the fabric, resulting in durable prints that can withstand repeated wash cycles. Just make sure not to use bleach on any garments that went through a DTG printing.

13. What Type of Fabric Can I Print on Using a DTG Printer?

You can print on almost any fabric when using a DTG printer. It’s essential to consider the characteristics of the fabric, such as absorbency, texture, and composition, when choosing the appropriate DTG printing settings and techniques. Additionally, conducting tests and trials on different fabric types can help determine the optimal printing parameters for achieving high-quality and long-lasting prints.

14. Best DTG printer in 2024

Here are some of the best Direct to Garment printers available:

  • Texart XT-640S DTG
    Turns up the volume on t-shirts, apparel, and fabric accessory printing without the high-volume industrial price tag.
  • VersaStudio BN-20D Direct-to-Film Printer
    The newest addition to the BN-20 Series of desktop printers. The BN-20D Direct-to-Film System complements Roland DGA’s existing family of compact, powerful VersaSTUDIO machines designed to help smaller home- or office-based print providers build their businesses.

 

Posted on by George
Tag: direct-to-garment

Printing 101: What is Direct-to-Film Printing?

In modern printing technology, direct-to-film (DTF) printing has emerged as a game-changer, particularly within the textile and apparel industry. As businesses strive for efficiency, versatility, and high-quality results, understanding the intricacies of DTF printing becomes paramount. This article will delve into the world of DTF printing, exploring its definition, its relevance to industries such as fashion, textiles, and promotional merchandise, and its distinguishing features compared to other printing methods. We’ll uncover how DTF printing works, its unique advantages, and its most common applications, shedding light on its potential to revolutionize how businesses approach textile printing and customization. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a curious newcomer, join us as we unravel the mysteries of DTF printing and uncover its transformative capabilities.

What is a Direct-to-Film Printing?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a digital printing technique commonly used in the textile industry, particularly for customizing garments like t-shirts, hoodies, and caps. Unlike traditional methods such as screen printing or heat transfer, DTF printing directly transfers ink from a specialized film onto fabric using heat and pressure. First, the design is printed onto a transfer film using a compatible DTF printer. Then, the printed film is placed onto the garment, and a heat press bonds the design to the fabric. This process yields vibrant, detailed, and durable prints on various textiles, including cotton, polyester, and blends. DTF printing offers advantages such as precise reproduction of intricate designs, versatility in printing on different fabric types and colours, and cost-effective on-demand customization without the need for screens or setup costs. Consequently, DTF printing has become popular in the fashion, apparel, and promotional merchandise sectors for its efficient and customizable printing capabilities.

Difference Between Direct-to-Film, Direct-to-Garment and Screen Printing

Direct-to-Film (DTF), Direct-to-Garment (DTG), and screen printing are all popular methods for creating custom designs on textiles, but they differ in their processes, capabilities, and applications.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing involves printing designs onto a specialized transfer film using a compatible printer. The printed film is then transferred directly onto the fabric using a heat press. DTF printing allows for detailed, vibrant designs with high precision and can be used on a variety of fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and blends. This method offers the ability to reproduce intricate designs efficiently, without needing for screens or setup costs.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, on the other hand, involves using a specialized printer to apply ink directly onto the fabric surface. The printer sprays the ink onto the garment, allowing for full-color designs and intricate details. DTG printing produces soft, vibrant prints with excellent colour reproduction and is suitable for both light and dark-coloured garments. It offers quick turnaround times and is ideal for producing small batches or individualized designs.

Screen printing is a traditional method that involves creating a stencil (or screen) for each colour in the design. Ink is then pushed through the screen onto the fabric using a squeegee, creating the final print. Screen printing produces vibrant, long-lasting prints with excellent colour saturation and is suitable for large production runs. It is cost-effective for large quantities and offers durability, especially on garments subjected to repeated washing. Screen printing is widely used for creating custom apparel, posters, signage, and promotional products, particularly in the fashion, advertising, and marketing industries.

So, How Does Direct-to-Film Printing Work?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a process that involves transferring designs from a specialized transfer film directly onto the surface of textiles, such as garments or fabric materials. Here’s how the DTF printing process works:

  1. Design Creation: The process begins with the creation of the desired design using graphic design software. This design can include logos, images, text, or any other artwork that the customer wants to print onto their textiles.
  2. Printing onto Transfer Film: Once the design is finalized, it is printed onto a special transfer film using a compatible DTF printer. This printer applies ink directly onto the surface of the transfer film, creating a mirror image of the design.
  3. Film Preparation: After printing, the transfer film is carefully trimmed to remove any excess material around the edges of the design. This step ensures that only the desired portions of the film are transferred onto the textiles.
  4. Film Application: The prepared transfer film is then placed onto the surface of the textile, with the printed side facing down. The film is positioned in the desired location, ensuring proper alignment with the fabric.
  5. Heat Press Transfer: Once the transfer film is in place, a heat press is used to apply heat and pressure to the film and fabric. This process activates the adhesive properties of the transfer film, causing it to bond with the textile fibres.
  6. Peeling: After the transfer process is complete, the fabric is allowed to cool before the transfer film is carefully peeled away. The design remains on the surface of the fabric, resulting in a vibrant, high-quality print.
  7. Finishing Touches: Depending on the specific requirements of the design or garment, additional finishing techniques such as curing or post-processing may be applied to ensure the longevity and durability of the printed design.

Overall, DTF printing offers a versatile and efficient method for creating custom prints on textiles, with the ability to reproduce intricate designs with exceptional detail and clarity. This innovative printing process has gained popularity in industries such as fashion, apparel, and promotional merchandise for its ability to produce high-quality, durable prints on a wide range of fabrics.

Most Common Applications for Direct-to-Film Printing

DTF Printing Collage

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing finds widespread application across various industries, particularly in those requiring high-quality, customized prints on textiles. Here are some of the most common applications for DTF printing:

  • Fashion and Apparel: DTF printing is widely used for creating custom designs on clothing items such as t-shirts, hoodies, and jerseys, allowing fashion brands to offer unique, personalized garments.
  • Promotional and Event Merchandise: DTF printing is popular for branding items like bags, caps, and towels with company logos and marketing messages or event products like t-shirts, hats and tote bags, making them ideal for promotional giveaways, corporate events, concerts, festivals and even trade shows.
  • Sportswear and Team Uniforms: DTF printing is commonly employed in the production of customized jerseys, shorts, and other athletic apparel for sports teams, clubs, and organizations.
  • Workwear and Uniforms: DTF printing is used to customize uniforms and workwear with company logos, employee names, and safety symbols for businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities.
  • Retail and Fashion Accessories: DTF printing is applied to fashion accessories such as scarves, socks, and headbands, offering consumers customizable options with trendy designs.
  • Home Decor and Textiles: DTF printing is employed for customizing home decor items like pillows, blankets, and curtains, as well as textile products such as towels and bed linens.
  • Art and Design Projects: DTF printing serves artists and designers in creating limited edition prints, exhibition pieces, and decorative textiles, offering a versatile and customizable printing solution for artistic endeavours.

Overall, DTF printing serves as a versatile and efficient method for creating custom prints on textiles, catering to diverse applications across industries ranging from fashion and retail to events and art. Its ability to produce vibrant, high-quality prints with intricate details makes it a preferred choice for businesses and individuals seeking personalized textile solutions.

Best Direct-to-Film Printer in 2024

VersaSTUDIO BY-20

Roland DG has released the latest and most innovative Direct-to-Film printer, the Roland VersaStudio BY-20. It’s a highly versatile desktop device ideal for a range of direct-to-film apparel applications, such as creating custom T-shirts, sportswear, tote bags, and more. With its compact design, it is even perfect for small businesses that have small production space.

Further reading: Introducing The Roland VersaSTUDIO BY-20 Desktop Direct-to-Film Printer

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing has emerged as a versatile and efficient solution for creating custom prints on textiles across a wide range of industries. With its ability to produce vibrant, high-quality designs with intricate details, DTF printing offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to express their creativity and personalize their products. Whether it’s fashion apparel, promotional merchandise, team uniforms, or home decor items, DTF printing provides a customizable and cost-effective printing solution that meets the diverse needs of modern consumers. As technology continues to advance, DTF printing is poised to play an increasingly significant role in the world of textile customization, driving innovation and creativity in the years to come.

Are you a business owner looking to elevate your apparel customization game? Consider investing in direct-to-garment printing machines. Contact us today to explore your options and take the first step toward enhancing your business with the latest in t-shirt printing technology. Let’s turn your creative vision into a colourful, wearable reality!

Posted on by George
Tag: direct-to-garment

Most Common Types of Promotional Products

Here’s a scenario: you’re a business or marketing manager, and you’re constantly tasked with finding innovative ways to promote your company’s brand and engage with your target audience. With an upcoming event or seasonal campaign on the horizon, the pressure is on to select the perfect promotional products that will leave a lasting impression. However, navigating the vast landscape of promotional items and understanding how to get them printed can be daunting. That’s why it’s crucial to explore the most common types of promotional products and the various printing methods available, ensuring that your marketing efforts are both effective and impactful. This article will delve into the importance of promotional products in marketing, focusing on industries where brand visibility and customer engagement are paramount. We’ll cover the basics of promotional products, and different printing methods, and highlight the most popular items used by businesses to promote their brand.

What Are Promotional Products?

Promotional products, also known as giveaways or swag, are branded items that are distributed to customers, prospects, or employees as part of a marketing or advertising campaign. These products serve as tangible reminders of a brand and are intended to increase brand recognition, foster customer loyalty, and drive sales. Promotional products come in a variety of forms, ranging from everyday items like pens and tote bags to more unique and innovative products like tech gadgets and apparel.

How Do Promotional Products Gets Printed?

There are a variety of methods that get promotional products printed tailored to the material and design requirements of each item:

  • Screen Printing: Ideal for items like T-shirts, tote bags, and apparel, screen printing involves creating a stencil (screen) for each colour in the design. Ink is then pushed through the screens onto the product, layer by layer, creating the final image.
  • Pad Printing: This method is suitable for small, irregularly shaped items such as pens, keychains, or golf balls. A silicone pad transfers the ink from an etched plate to the product’s surface.
  • Heat Transfer Printing: Often used for fabrics, heat transfer involves printing a design onto transfer paper and then using heat to transfer the image onto the product. This method is popular for creating full-colour designs on apparel and bags.
  • Embroidery: Common for clothing items, hats, and bags, embroidery involves stitching the design directly into the fabric using coloured thread.
  • Digital Printing: Suitable for items like mouse pads, magnets, and stickers, digital printing allows for high-resolution, full-colour printing directly onto the product.
  • Laser Engraving: Used for items made of metal, wood, or certain plastics, laser engraving uses a laser to remove material and create a permanent design. It is often employed for high-end promotional items such as metal pens or keychains.
  • UV Printing: UV printing involves using ultraviolet light to cure inks instantly. It is suitable for a variety of surfaces, including plastics, glass, and metal. UV printing provides vibrant colours and durability.
  • Sublimation Printing: This method is commonly used for items like mugs and mouse pads. Sublimation involves transferring a design from a printed paper onto the product using heat, causing the ink to permeate the surface for a durable finish.

Most Common Promotional Products

promotional products collage

These are some of the most common types of printed promotional products:

  1. Pens: Pens are often printed using methods such as screen printing or digital printing, allowing for logos, slogans, or contact information to be prominently displayed on the barrel or clip of the pen.
  2. T-shirts: T-shirts can be customized through methods like screen printing, heat transfer, or direct-to-garment printing, enabling vibrant designs or logos to be applied to the fabric.
  3. Mugs: Mugs are commonly decorated using techniques such as screen printing or dye sublimation, allowing for durable and dishwasher-safe customization of logos or images.
  4. Tote Bags: Tote bags are often screen printed or digitally printed with branding or designs, providing a large surface area for promotional messaging.
  5. Umbrellas: Umbrellas can be printed using screen printing or dye sublimation methods, allowing for logos or patterns to be applied to the canopy or panels.
  6. Water Bottles: Water bottles are typically decorated through methods like screen printing or pad printing, allowing for logos or branding to be applied to the surface of the bottle.
  7. Calendars: Calendars are usually printed using offset printing or digital printing, enabling customization of dates, images, and branding throughout the calendar pages.
  8. Headphones: Headphones can be customized through methods like pad printing or digital printing, allowing for logos or branding to be applied to the ear cups or headband.
  9. Laptop, Tablet, and/or Phone Cases: Cases for electronic devices can be decorated using techniques such as UV printing, embossing, or laser engraving, providing durable and visually appealing customization options.
  10. Magnets: Magnets are typically printed using digital printing methods, allowing for colourful designs, logos, or messages to be applied to the magnet surface.

Each of these promotional products offers unique opportunities for customization and branding, allowing businesses to effectively promote their message or logo to their target audience.

Best Printers for Promotional Products

Here are some of the best and most applicable printers for printing promotional products:

  • Roland VersaStudio BY-20 – highly versatile desktop device ideal for a range of direct-to-film apparel applications. Best for printing T-shirts, sportswear, tote bags and any apparel-related products.
  • VersaStudio BD-8 – designs can be printed in a wide variety of materials, including plastics, paper, leather and wood — even glass and metal. Best for printing any gadget like headphones, tablet or phone cases, keychains, etc.
  • Roland VersaObject MO-240 – Deliver high-quality vibrant and impactful graphics onto a vast range of objects and substrates, including metal, plastic, glass, wood, canvas, vinyl, paper and much more, accommodating material up to 204 mm in height. Best for printing water bottles, mugs, phone cases, magnets, etc.

Promotional products play a vital role in marketing and branding efforts across various industries. By selecting the right products and utilizing effective printing methods, businesses can increase brand visibility, foster customer loyalty, and drive sales. Whether it’s pens, tote bags, drinkware, tech accessories, or apparel, the key is to choose products that align with your brand identity and resonate with your target audience. With a strategic approach to promotional products and printing, businesses can leave a lasting impression and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Are you a printing service business owner seeking a reliable partner to bring your customers’ promotional product requests to life? Discover the perfect printing solution that aligns with your quality standards and delivery timelines. Elevate your business by ensuring every client’s branding needs are met seamlessly. Contact us today to explore how our printing services can empower your business and exceed your client’s expectations.

Posted on by Roland DGA Specialist
Tag: direct-to-garment

Specialize in Print Customization – 5 Small Businesses You Can Start Today!

While there are many people trying to make money in online customization, there’s no reason why you can’t find your own path through the ecommerce crowds. We can point to hundreds of Roland DGA customers who have found online success in the customization market— often starting with a desktop device like a BN-20 printer/cutter or a VersaUV LEF-12i UV printer and building hugely profitable businesses by making smart business decisions.

Find Your Online Marketplace
Online customization is a growth market. According to statistics website, statista, US ecommerce sales grew 14.9% in 2019 and have continued to grow exponentially in 2020— despite the challenges that people faced in this year. It’s the reason why, right now, it would be a good time to start an online business during this upward curve. However, before you start investing in a new online business and choosing what products you want to print on, there’s three things, right off the bat, you should consider:

a. Have a solid plan on what products you want to customize 
Find what really interests you in the customization and personalization market and concentrate your efforts in those product areas. You may find that you’ve “spread yourself too thin” in to trying to serve too many markets at once— it’s often asking too much of yourself to manage a myriad of shopfronts and products all-at-once.

b. Keep focused on what marketplaces you want to sell in
Like any business, you’ll need to promote your products and so you’ll probably want to to invest in online ads. However, providing different designs to fit each different application and marketplace is going to be costly and inefficient. It’s preferable to concentrate your online ad spending in one niche area to avoid having to stretch your costs across many product interests.

c. You’ll need multiple machines if you want to offer customization in different markets
If you have a business plan that includes serving apparel, décor, art, merchandising, and accessory markets, you’ll need more than one Roland DG machine. While all Roland DG desktop devices are versatile and allow you to print on a range of applications, you’ll need to invest in multiple devices to fulfill different customization markets.

Instead of looking to try to do everything, you might consider just one or a few items to produce so that you can focus your skill and creativity on them, get really good at making them, and turn them over really quickly.  The following list of applications represent some specific customization markets you could specialize in.

5 Customization Markets to Specialize in

1 – Quick Print Accessories

Application Dog Apparel

There’s a huge market for accessory customization right now and there are a few major reasons why it’s a smart one to get into.

1. In comparison to custom tees and jerseys, while the final markup doesn’t tend to be massively different, the cost for products like socks, underpants, masks, scarves, bandanas is much lower from wholesale sites like S&S activewear, Alibaba, Amazon Business, Sinalite and other bulk order suppliers.

2. Right now, there’s still a huge market for products like custom masks and bandanas and that is unlikely to go away anytime soon. Maybe you choose one or a handful of these products to specialize in and build a business around them.

3. Once you start focusing on fewer markets, you’ll start to gain extensive knowledge of these markets, i.e., what designs are trending, where the best shopfronts are to sell your products, who your biggest competitors are in this field. This helps you streamline your thinking and gain condensed, potent knowledge in one area.

Recommended Desktop Technology for Quick Print Fabric Accessories

BT-12 Direct-to-Garment Desktop Printer

Print on cotton apparel, accessories and more, with this easy-to-use, versatile device

 

2 – Wall Décor 

Wallpaper is a product that people used to associate with old-fashioned decorating techniques where buckets of paste and a whole load of mess were required to install it. With the introduction of the peel-and-stick wallpaper, wallpaper is now big business with mess-free, easy installation, modern designs, and custom options now offered.

Owners of BN-20 printer/cutters or CAMM-1 GS-24 vinyl cutters have many wall graphic options available to them as either a custom décor service for personalizing family rooms in homes, or branded designs for businesses. You might also consider providing “off-the-shelf” products to sell in your online marketplaces— this could be as simple as oversized vinyl wall decals with fashionable designs and sayings or “roll-to-order” wallpaper designs that you can print on-demand.

The following facts explain why wall décor personalization is a smart market to get into right now:

1. The home improvement market in the US was worth 407 billion in 2019*— it’s a huge industry that keeps growing exponentially each year, despite fluctuations in the housing market

2. Wallpaper and wall coverings are really on-trend right now for creating accent walls and specific décor touches in homes

3. Sold by the roll, custom wallpaper is seen as a specialty décor item and can command a high premium

4. Wallpaper media is easily available and not an expensive, specialty media item— it’s price comparable to other adhesive vinyl products on the market.

Recommended Desktop Technology for Wall Décor

  • VersaSTUDIO BN-20 Desktop Printer/cutter – Print and cut vinyl, poster paper, heat transfer media and much more.
  • CAMM-1 GS-25 Desktop Vinyl Cutter –  Cut vinyl, film and heat transfer media with this affordable solution.

 

3 – Specialty T-shirts and Jerseys

 

It is inconsequential that so many people are printing and selling t-shirts, because t-shirts have not decreased one iota in popularity. In fact, according to the statistics site, statista, the t-shirt market that’s currently at 1.18 billion dollars is predicted to reach a value of 3.1 billion dollars by 2025. To break into this huge market, you might consider specializing in specific t-shirts and t-shirt designs— rather than trying to throw out a huge net to catch customers, it might be better to use the marketing equivalent of a line and a rod with your designs and sales strategy.

The line and rod could come in the form of specializing in t-shirt markets like bachelor and bachelorette t-shirts, team jerseys, holiday t-shirts, etc. These rely on photo and text personalization— the perfect applications for a VersaSTUDIO BT-12 desktop direct-to-garment printer or a VersaSTUDIO BN-20 desktop printer/cutter. To stand out in the marketplace you might also consider printing on just pocket t-shirts or just raglan t-shirts. Whatever you have to do to make your shopfront stand out from the crowd while making it more straightforward and focused than your competitors.  A big problem with online t-shirt shopfronts is how chaotic and distracting they often are, containing many different designs that all trying to vie for different markets. It’s smart to be more customer and market focused.

According to popular t-shirt shopfronts Bonfire and Etsy, here is a top 10 shortlist of some of the most popular apparel categories to consider concentrating your efforts on:

1. Animal portraits
2. Inspirational sayings and words in handwritten fonts
3. Retro typography
4. Pop culture quotes, characters, and movie tie-in’s (note: there will likely be issues of copyright infringement if using these sources without permission)
5. Religious message designs
6. Mountains and outdoor themed designs
7. 90’s retro vibe designs
8. Pocket print shirts
9. Funny/ironic messages and quotes
10. Band t-shirts (note: there will likely be issues of copyright infringement if using these sources without permission)

 

Recommended Desktop Technology for T-Shirts

  • VersaSTUDIO BN-20 Desktop Printer/cutter – Print and cut vinyl, poster paper, heat transfer media and much more.
  • BT-12 Direct-to-Garment Desktop Printer –  Print on cotton apparel, accessories and more, with this easy-to-use, versatile device.

 

4 – Phone Cases, Pop-ups and Electronics

In spite of the electronic market being subject to rapid changes in technology, there are some applications within it that remain constant. The following items are ones that you might consider specializing in.

One of the biggest customization markets on the internet, personalized electronic accessory printing is an entire industry within itself.  With this in mind, it would likely benefit you to concentrate on selected applications and create your own personalization niche within this market. With technology like the VersaUV 12i desktop flatbed printer, you have everything you need to personalize plastic, silicone, leather, and polycarbonate accessories— common materials used in electronic accessory production.

One thing to be aware of however, is that the electronic accessory market is an ever-changing one that’s in constant flux, making many accessories obsolete very quickly.  The following list amalgamated from buzzfeed, etsy and other online sources outlines some of the trending electronic accessories to consider personalizing and creating a niche market for yourself while they’re still en vogue:

1. Bluetooth speakers and home pods
2. Electronic (smart) doorbell covers
3. Roombas and robot vacs
4. Pocket photo printers
5. Echo frames
6. Phone sanitizer and charger
7. VR headsets
8. Electronic beer dispensers
9. Drones and drone cases
10. Soundbars

Recommended Desktop Technology for Electronic Accessories

  • VersaUV 12i Desktop Flatbed Printer – Print directly onto electronics, giftware, souvenirs, and merchandise with this product personalization solution.
  • VersaUV LEF2-300 Flatbed Printer – Customize small and medium-sized items on-demand by adding corporate branding and stunning graphics – from a single object to a short production run.

 

5 – Photo Printing

And while there’s a mountain of online and offline companies who put photos on canvas, there’s world of possible applications to consider for adding photos and artwork too and building a successful business by specializing in one or more of these products. Many owners of VersaUV flatbed printers and other Roland DG devices have forged success in the photo-personalization market and almost all of them have gravitated to one or more products to specialize in.

The following list outlines some business profiles of people who create photo personalized products to make the optimum use of their business:

  1. Photographers who have extended their wedding and event photography services— upselling customers with photos on memento products
  2. Pet store owners and pet sites who put pet pictures on pet apparel, souvenirs and giftware
  3. Businesses in the décor, interior design and craft markets who are making home furnishings, décor pieces, and wall art a more individually personalized experience
  4. Jewelers and Jewelry suppliers who are offering an added photo personalization service to add extra value to jewelry and keepsake items
  5. Souvenir and giftware suppliers who are including the additional option of photo personalization to make inexpensive products into high-value ones

Recommended Desktop Technology for Photo Printing

  • BT-12 Direct-to-Garment Desktop Printer –  Print on cotton apparel, accessories and more, with this easy-to-use, versatile device.
  • VersaUV 12i Desktop Flatbed Printer – Print directly onto electronics, giftware, souvenirs, and merchandise with this product personalization solution.

 

As well as providing multiple desktop printing solutions for small businesses and home-based business startups, Roland DGA has a huge range of large format printers, laser engravers, 3D milling machines and more technology to help you start and succeed in graphics and product personalization markets.

 

Source/Content provided by Roland DGA
rolanddga.com/blog

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