Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1425980
S T A R T H E R E 2 0 2 1 inks on white or light shirts was normal. White ink printing was non-existent or just coming onto the scene. Inks, wash dura- bility, and cost per print weren't that great, and machine maintenance was a real pain. However, since the early 2000s, the DTG industry has come a long way. It used to be that if you didn't print every day with your DTG printer, it would turn into an expen- sive paperweight. Today, the machines are much more reliable. Machine manufacturers have continually developed and improved how the printers function, handle white ink, maintenance cycles, and increased the print speeds to where production capabilities of some of the higher-end DTG printers are approaching that of screen printing equipment. Throw in the improvements in pretreating, new ink formulations, and ease of use, and DTG has become a powerhouse in garment decorating. Screen printing has its origins in China around the year 221 A.D., has been around for thousands of years, and today is well-known for produc- tion capabilities and wash durability. However, screen printing can be a lengthy, cumbersome, and expensive process for jobs that require a lot of colors, multiple imprint locations, and smaller quantities. There is a break-even point where it is just not economically feasible to screen print a certain job. It might be a multicolor print on a medium- or large-sized order of shirts (this has and always will be debated as to the break-even point where DTG or screen printing is better). The time it takes With the ability to print single, one-off designs, DTG has opened entirely new segments of the apparel printing market for on-demand printing. (Image courtesy Brian Walker) Direct-to-garment allows people to customize their own shirts, and you to print them with ease. (Image courtesy Brian Walker) graphics-pro.com 19 There is a break-even point where it is just not economically feasible to screen print a certain job.