The process of starting a DTG (Direct-to-Garment) t-shirt printing business with a print-on-demand model. Let me break this down into key areas:
Process Steps:
Design Creation & Preparation
Create high-resolution designs (minimum 300 DPI)
Use RGB color mode for digital printing
Save files in PNG format with transparent backgrounds
Test your designs at different sizes to ensure quality
Ensure you have proper rights/licenses for all design elements
File Specifications
Design dimensions typically 4000×4800 pixels for front/back prints
Keep important design elements away from seams
Consider the garment color in your design (especially for dark shirts)
Create mockups to visualize the final product
Best Practices:
Quality Control
Order samples before launching designs
Check print quality, fabric feel, and sizing
Document color accuracy across different garment colors
Business Operations
Register your business properly
Set up accounting systems
Price products to account for all costs plus profit margin
Build relationships with multiple print providers as backup
Recommended Print-on-Demand Services:
Printful
Pros:
High-quality prints
Wide product selection
Excellent integration with major e-commerce platforms
Good customer service
Detailed product customization
Printify
Pros:
Multiple print providers to choose from
Often lower prices than competitors
Good quality control
Wide geographic distribution
SPOD (Spreadshirt Production on Demand)
Pros:
Fast production times
European presence
Consistent quality
Competitive pricing
Before committing to any provider, I recommend:
Order samples from multiple providers
Compare shipping times and costs
Test customer service responsiveness
Review their integration capabilities with your planned sales channels
Check their product range and availability
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of starting your DTG business, such as design preparation or choosing between these providers?