How to Set Up a DTG Printing Workstation

Guidelines on how to organize a working space for the optimal DTG printing workflow.

It is really critical for the business itself and the people involved to operate in the perfect working conditions. What does that mean for a DTG printer? Safety, convenience, temperature & humidity are the basic factors that determine the proper functionality of the machinery along with the smooth business operation.

Workstation

Firstly, it is important that tight and cramped working environments are avoided; such workstations more than often lead to mistakes and confusion. Ensuring a comfortable and convenient workstation will help operators move around with ease and overall, help optimize their workflow.

Environmental factors

As for humidity & temperature conditions, the proper measurements have to be secured so that the DTG printer performs at its best. Meaning that a DTG machine requires a room temperature area with humidity levels of around 45 - 60%. If need be, the use of humidifiers are suggested in order to increase humidity; a dry room can increase chances of a clogged print head and may lead to excessive (automatic) head cleanings.

Importance of Humidity & temperature conditions at my DTG working space

Main elements & machinery that constitute a DTG printing workstation

• The DTG printer(s). Most of the commercial printers in the DTG industry have a size of around 125 x 90 x 50 cm and require a relative stand/table as a base to place upon.

• The PC/Laptop + the Rip software. A software program is essential for the printer to deliver the proper quality on the prints, thus, there has to be room for a PC placement. However, most of the businesses in the field use a robust laptop that often place upon the printer.
• The Heat Press. Crucial at every printing stage, a press comes in logical dimensions but also requires a table as an underbase.

• The Pretreatment Spray Gun. Like most regular sprayers, the size of it is minor compared to other DTG related machinery and is used with small production volumes. Nevertheless, using a spray gun to pretreat garments will release chemicals into the working space, so make sure the area is often aired properly.
  How to apply pretreatment manually
• The Pretreatment Machine. Usually bulk kind of machinery and not unreasonably, since pretreatment liquids “stay” within the machine providing an eco-friendly pre-treating solution. Meaning that such machines are usually larger than commercial printers and require a larger desk to place upon.

• The Drying Cabinet. An electrical machine used for fixation and curing garments when a Heat Press is not enough. Such dryer is customizable meaning that it comes with as many drawers as needed and is mostly required when printers are 2 or more.
• The Conveyor Dryer. In a state of high production volumes where 4 or more printers operate simultaneously, a tunnel dryer is suggested for fixation. In that way, the curing process will be enhanced in times and costs, however, a large space is required to install such a dryer in any working space.

Initial Investment: What to consider when starting with dtg & how can I estimate my budget?

Most common cases and proper combinations of DTG Machinery

Single Printer Model

One (1) printer is used according to the below combinations. A heat press is always important while the pre-treatment solution mostly depends on production volume.

1. 1. Heat Press - Spray Gun - Printer - PC
   2. Heat Press - Pre-Treatment Machine - Printer - PC

2 (up to 4) Printers Model

As business scales up, so does machinery. In this scenario, a Pre-Treatment machine is a must, while you can switch between multiple heat presses and a dryer.

1. 1. 2 - 3 Heat Presses (or dual platen Heat Press) - Pre-Treatment Machine - Printers - PC (gradually scale up scenario)
   2. Heat Press - Pre-Treatment Machine - Printers - PC - Drying Cabinet

Multi Printer Model

Business towards corporate state. High volume of production brings quantity in machinery placed on a larger space. Either the business has scaled up or the investment is from scratch, multiple machines are needed. Also, more than one PC are needed to run Rip software and support more than 4 printers.

1. 1. Heat Press (or more than 1) - Pre-Treatment Machine - 5 to 8 Printers - 2 PCs - Conveyor (Tunnel) Dryer

Taking the above into consideration, operating in the perfect conditions is of great significance both for the people and for the involved machinery. Secure the workstation with safety and the right environmental conditions and this will provide a smooth workflow. Last but not least and moving some steps back in the decision making stage, it is really important you select a working space with a large area having scaling up business-wise in mind.