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Updated June 16, 2022 at 12:36PM
Given the number of options available, it can be challenging to choose the best tshirt printer. But if you know what to look for, you’ll be able to choose a printing machine made specifically for your application. The best news about modern tshirt printers is their compact size, speed and ability to produce multiple colors. You can create unique designs.
You want something that prints to put your favourite photos onto a shirt, or personalize t-shirts with logos for businesses and teams. To help you make a decision, we break down the options and show you how to compare top t-shirt printers. These are the top t-shirt printing companies in 2022.
Whether you’re getting a t-shirt printer for commercial or personal use, the quality of the prints will depend on the machine you get. And while it’s important to read reviews and product descriptions, your individual needs should determine the printer you choose. These are the things you should consider when looking for the right t-shirt printing machine.
Printing needs
Printing t-shirts is a passion or a business idea. Do you prefer to start small before starting a business printing t-shirts? Do you intend to print more than 500 shirts per month? For a print run of less than 500 T-shirts per annum, you can use a sublimation printer. If you go above that figure, you’ll want to invest in a Direct to Garment (DTG) printer.
Method of printing
T-shirt printing has many different methods. Each method has its pros and cons. A thin layer of ink is sprayed onto the fabric by printers, creating softer prints. This printer is great for creating intricate designs with smooth transitions between different colors such as photos. They are very similar to traditional inkjet printers and can be used for switching between different designs with no complicated setup. But, DTG printers are expensive, so it’s probably more than you need unless you are printing high-volume orders.
Screen printing is one of the most common–and oldest–methods of printing on shirts. Screen printing involves pressing ink through a screen (the stencil) onto fabric. Each color requires a separate screen. Many artists love screen printing because it produces vivid, long-lasting designs and almost unlimited color options. It is great for bulk orders but isn’t ideal for highly detailed designs.
For t-shirts with printed designs, dye sublimation works well. This technique uses a color vaporizing process that produces soft and breathable prints. However, Sublimation is not available for synthetic fabrics, such as polyester. It can also be very expensive.
If you are starting to make your own designs or want to test them out, heat press printing might be the best option. A design can be printed on special transfer papers using an inkjet/laser printer. Once the paper is dry, heat and pressure will be used to apply the design to the shirt. It won’t hold up as well to washing as other methods but is more beginner-friendly.
Material costs
The printer’s cost is an important factor in choosing the right t-shirt printer. However, heat press printing is the most affordable. You can also use an existing inkjet printer and get transfer paper.
Although screen printing can be affordable, the price will rise if you go for more complicated designs and many colors. For small orders, the cost of setting up screens is prohibitive due to labor.
DTG printing is not cheap as it requires an expensive printer to get started, but it’s ideal for small orders or switching between designs frequently.
Maintenance
If you are looking for a T-shirt printer machine, it is important to consider maintenance. A printer that can be automated cleaned and has low maintenance costs is a good choice. You’ll also want something with minimal manual maintenance time. Some printers will alert you when they need cleaning, so you don’t have to keep track of when you last cleaned it.
We have our picks of the top t-shirt printers 2022
The best overall: F2C 5-in-1 Pro Heat Press Machine
It made it to the final cut The 5-in-1 printer can be used by even beginners. The printer can be used for personal and commercial printing, as well as small businesses.
Specs:
- Printer method Heat press
- Dimensions: 20.6×19.6×20.2inches
- Area for printingSize: 12×15 inches
- Weighing: 55.8 pounds
Pros:
- For durability, a sturdy body
- High precision 360° rotation
- Adjustment knob for full-range pressure adjustment
- Alarm with intelligent timer
- Simple to use
Cons:
- Heating the 1200W element to the temperature desired takes a long time
- Can’t print on extra-large t-shirts
F2C’s 5-in-1 Pro Heat Press Machine perfectly blends form and functionality. Both novices as well as professionals can use it. This heat press has many useful features—a non-stick surface, swing-away 360-degree rotation, and a full-range pressure-adjustment knob. Despite its industrial-grade metallic body, it’s portable and can be used on small working surfaces, making it ideal for someone who doesn’t have a dedicated workspace.
This machine is the perfect one for t-shirt printing. It is easy to use. The adjustable pressure knob and temperature controls make it easy to adjust the settings. You can print large, detailed designs on the 12×15-inch plate. The built-in structural support maintains flatness and allows you to distribute heat and pressure evenly.
This machine is second in its class because of its numerous features. It has attachments that enable you to print on apparel and plates. It can also rotate 360°, allowing for pressure and heat application to different locations.
Interestingly, the machine’s versatility is also its undoing. The attachments can be heavy and difficult to replace. And because it’s not a dedicated t-shirt printing machine, it doesn’t accommodate extra-large prints. The 1200 W heating element can take a bit to heat up to the right temperature.
Top sublimation printers: Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless printer
It made it to the topThe Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless Printer is a high-quality printer that can be used for both basic and advanced printing.
Specs:
- Printer method Sublimation
- DimensionsThe dimensions are 13.7 x 14.8x 8.7 inches
- Area for printing: 8.5×14 inches
- Weighing: 11.88 pounds
Pros:
- Prints of high quality
- Operating costs are low
- It’s Affordable
- Print wirelessly and Wi Fi-directly
- It can be used as a sublimation printing machine
- Features a scanner and copier built in
Cons:
- A slower printing speed
- Can only print up to 8.5 x 14 inches
If you’re looking for the best machine for sublimation t-shirt printing, look no further than the Epson EcoTank ET-2720. It is one of the most affordable sublimation printers available. However, since the EcoTank isn’t a dedicated sublimation printer, you will need to convert it. For best–and easiest–results, you should do this with a brand new printer, but be aware that it does void the warranty, and you can only use it as a sublimation printer moving forward.
Sublimation ink can be used to transform the printer from a regular printer to one that is dye-sublimation. Although it will need to be converted, this machine still holds up against dedicated dye-sublimation printing machines. You can print photos directly on your shirt with a high resolution printing resolution (maximum 5760×1440 DPI).
Epson’s EcoTank printers hold plenty of ink, so your ink may last for months, based on your usage. The ET-2720 is not without its flaws. The biggest one is its small printing area, 8.5 x 14 inches, so it’s best suited to small t-shirts.
Best value: SURPCOS 5-in-1 Heat Press
It made it to the topSURPCOS HeatPress Machine has all of the features you would expect from a 5-in-1 machine, but it is also more affordable than others.
Specs:
- Printer method Heat press
- DimensionsSize: 15x12x18 inches
- Area for printingSize: 12×15 inches
- Weighing: 40.6 pounds
Pros:
- Rotatable 360° swing arm
- High-temperature—up to 4500 F
- Timer built-in
- 5-in-1 functionality
Cons:
- Unclear user manual
- It is difficult to use the timer for beginners.
While the top shirt machine will not make you more money, it will help you save time. And if you’re lucky, you can get a machine that saves you both time and money, like the SURPCOS Heat Press 5-in-1 printer. This printer offers great value without sacrificing quality. The attachments can be used to print on clothing, glass and wood.
You can easily set your desired temperature and time with the digital temperature and time controls. The adjustable pressure knob adjusts the pressure to match fabric thickness. The detachable lower platform can be swapped easily with a Phillips wrench. Additionally, the heating element is able to rotate 360°, which prevents accidental contact.
SURPCOS’ heat press features a 12-x-15-inch heating surface and a simple design to allow for assembly and disassembly. However, it does not come without its problems. The user manual is confusing and poorly translated from Chinese to English. Also, you’ll need to set aside time to learn how to configure the timer.
Screen printing is best: VEVOR Screen Printing Machine
It made it to the topIt is easy to assemble the VEVOR Screen Printing Machine. You can also print on difficult materials with four different ink colors.
Specs:
- Printer method Screenprint
- Dimensions55 x 7.9×32 inches
- Area for printing: 21.7×17.7 inches
- Weighing: 43.2 pounds
Pros:
- Simple to assemble
- Prints of high quality
- Sturdy design
- Printing area large
- Desktop design saves space
Cons:
- Not great for mass production
- It’s hard to line up the holes during assembly
VEVOR is a custom shirt printing machine that’s ideal for a variety of materials. You can use this machine to print on metal, wood and paper as well as other surfaces.
Multi-color multi-color design printing is made easier by the four-color, one-station screen printer. Just attach the screens you want to use and turn your printer as necessary.
The VEVOR Screen Printing Machine is easy to assemble, easy to use, and its design ensures it doesn’t take up much space. It’s ideal for people with limited space or those who only print occasionally.
VEVOR’s screen printer is the ideal t-shirt printing device for artists and small businesses. However, it does have some drawbacks. It is not ideal for mass production, so we don’t recommend it for busy settings. It may be difficult to align the holes in assembly.
Ideal for fabric printing The PUNEHOD DTF Transfer printer
It made it to the final cut It produces high quality prints on all fabrics, and it is simple to use. It’s also more affordable than DTG machines.
Specs:
- Printer method Film direct
- Dimensions12.99 x 5.87x 5.12 inches
- Area for printing:
- Weighing: 61.6 pounds
Pros:
- You can print on many materials
- Requires no pre-treatment
- It uses less ink than DTG printers
- Prints high quality and durable
- Warranty for 3 years
Cons:
- It is difficult to set up.
- Slow speed of printing
Direct to Film (DTF), a special printing technique, involves printing on specially coated films and then applying them to clothing. Prints made with DTF can last twice as long as silkscreen prints so your shirt will be durable. This PUNEHOOD model can be used to print t-shirts and is a top choice. This printer can print flawlessly on both cotton and leather fabrics.
The best thing about DTF technology is that you don’t need to pre-treat fabrics after you print your designs on the PET film. . Film prints can be used immediately, or stored for later use. DTF printers are much more efficient than DTG when it comes down to ink consumption.
It’s worth mentioning that this printer isn’t easy to set up, and beginners may find the process quite hard. The manufacturer offers excellent customer service that will assist you remotely during installation. Unfortunately, the machine’s printing speed is also wanting, and it gets even slower with increased image size and resolution. Print your favourite designs in advance and keep them safe for future reference.
FAQs
Q: How much is a t-shirt printing machine?
The cost of a t-shirt printing machine can range from $100 to $30,000. The retail price largely depends on the printer’s technology, features, and usage. For personal or small-scale business use, smaller printers are less expensive than larger industrial printers. DTG printers and screen printers offer the best value for money.
Q: Which method is most effective for t-shirt printing
Screen printing is the best method to print t-shirts. You can print up to 500 shirts from one gallon of ink, depending on your design and the quality of the ink. Even when printing multiple colors, screen printing makes it easy to print designs quickly and easily.
Q: Which is better for heat transfer?
Because the printer paper can be easily found, inkjet printing is more efficient than using laser heat transfer. Inkjet printers however, are more slow. Laser printers are faster if speed is important. A laser printer can be combined with self-weeding, heat transfer paper that transfers only the printed image.
Q: Are t-shirt machines safe for home use?
Yes, it’s safe to use a t-shirt printing machine at home. Many home t-shirt-printing machines come with safety features to protect you from injuries or accidents. However, it’s important to practice safety when printing on t-shirts at home. You should use the printer in an area that is ventilated and make sure the work surface is steady.
Q: Is there a portable model of t shirt printers?
There are many models that can be used as portable t-shirt printers. You should prioritize portability if you need a printer that can be used in multiple settings. Some printers for t-shirts, such as heat presses can be disassembled and assembled easily for transport. However, a heat presse requires printing from a laser or inkjet printer so it could pose a problem if both are available.
Q: What Technology is the Most Economical?
Screen printing is the most cost-effective method of printing t-shirts. The technique is also known as silk screen printing and can print hundreds or thousands of t-shirts quickly and cheaply—depending on the machine you get.
Methodology
We compared different t-shirt printers from various manufacturers in this product review. This was done based on factors such as portability, build quality and functionality. To get a fair assessment, we compared the printing technology of different printers and compared them with their peers. We also analyzed buyers’ reviews on major e-commerce sites like Amazon and eBay.
Final Thoughts
Printing T-shirts can be fun and rewarding, no matter if you do it for a hobby or as a business. To get the best printing results, find the right t-shirt printer for your needs.