Let’s take a look at what’s included in the price when you buy a DTG printer:

Printer

Of course, you’re paying for the machine itself. When you consider all of the different parts - from the print head and software to the grip pad and the physical housing of the printer - it becomes clear that there’s a lot involved in helping you to create beautiful garments. And we haven’t even considered the time and specific skill set of all the employees working away behind the scenes yet.

Although manufacturers include a startup pack as standard, some dealers like to throw their own little freebies into the mix too (ranging from free garments to extra inks). This is their way of ensuring that you have absolutely everything you need to get up and running.

Functionality

DTG printing is a fairly new method that has really taken off in more recent years thanks to advancements in technology. Ink is applied directly onto the garment you’re customising (in much the same way as the inkjet printer you use with paper at home), resulting in a precisely printed design that features a high level of detail. This sort of accuracy is simply not possible with other methods (such as screen printing) and results in higher manufacturing costs; this has meant that the machines carry a slightly higher purchase cost.

Support

You might be all set to start printing now, but what happens in a few weeks or months time when you have a question, an unusual print request or something odd happens with your machine? Purchasing through a dealer that offers ongoing support, like Machines Plus, ensures that all of your queries will be taken care of in a timely manner. Support can be provided in person or even in the form of a telephone call or video chat (via Facetime, Skype or Team Viewer); great if you’re not located nearby or even based interstate.

Repairs

On occasion, you may discover that your DTG printer is experiencing an issue that requires a technician to repair it. If your machine is still covered under warranty, these repairs (including both the parts and the technicians’ time) are generally completed free of charge.

Depending on the manufacturer, they may require the technician to be certified by them in order to complete printer repairs or servicing. This often requires the manufacturer to send out one of their own technicians, unless your dealer (like Machines Plus) employs their own certified team.

Knowledge & Expertise

These days, it’s not uncommon for sales reps to simply memorise the product brochures rather than gaining a real understanding of the printers they are trying to sell. By purchasing through a dealer whose reps understand these machines inside out and back to front, you can rest assured that you’re receiving valuable knowledge and expertise that could very well make or break your business.

Gus’s experience in the DTG industry makes him a leading authority on all things digital printing - he knows these machines like the back of his hand. Ask whatever questions you want and feel secure in the knowledge that they will be answered by someone who knows exactly what they’re talking about.

And let’s take a look at what will cost extra:

Shipping

The size of most DTG printers requires them to be shipped to your premises. This is usually handled by the manufacturer, who books a third party freight company. It is definitely worth having the printer shipped directly to you rather than trying to handle delivery yourself - when spending thousands of dollars on a machine, you want to ensure that you’re covered on the off chance it is damaged during transit.

Installation

In the case of most larger DTG printers, there’s more to them then plugging them in and switching them on - they require some level of installation. This is particularly important if you have never used one before, as it is unlikely that you will know how to properly set it up. Machines Plus will send a qualified technician who will ensure that the printer is ready for your first print job before leaving.

A qualified installer will ensure that the machine has been set up correctly and that everything is working as it should be (ie. not making any funny noises). Correct installation is also tied directly into the warranty, as manufacturers will void it if the printer has not been installed by a qualified technician.

Training

If you’ve never used a DTG printer before, it makes sense that you would require some level of training before you’re ready to start. Believe it or not, not all dealers supply training as a part of the package. Being shown how to pre-treat garments, how to use the Garment Creator software and adjust settings, and what to do should a print not turn out how you planned are crucial for your success as a business.

Machines Plus offers 2 days training as standard, included with your installation fee; we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your abilities.

Repairs

You may have noticed that we’ve included repairs twice. If your machine is no longer covered under warranty (or if it has been decided that the fault is a result of user error and, therefore, not covered under warranty), then you will need to pay for any repairs required.

What do you sacrifice when you haggle on price?

When you ask for a discount on the quoted price of a DTG printer, the dealer may be happy to oblige - but it’s important to understand that it will come at a cost.

In most cases, you will have to sacrifice on the level of training and/or support provided. The dealer may show you the very basics to operating the machine, but not the nitty gritty. When you have a question or a problem, you may find that the dealer isn’t all that willing to help you out or they may charge you for their time.

The dealer may also remove any freebies that they were offering from the package, as the understanding is that you will receive these items if you pay $X amount for the printer.

Before baulking at the quoted price of a direct to garment printer, take the time to actually understand what it is you’re paying for. There’s a lot more to the purchase than the machine itself - there’s also the time, knowledge and expertise of the dealer that you’re able to take advantage of.