This episode provides an overview of Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing processes. We’ll delve into the similarities and differences between these two cutting-edge technologies, explaining where each fits into your garment decorating business. Gain insights into essential techniques for pretreating, printing, and curing to ensure top-quality results. Additionally, we will cover important aspects such as shirt selection, safety measures, and effective marketing strategies. Perfect for decorators looking to expand their knowledge and elevate their printing capabilities.

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but rather for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Ready to have clarity and confidence in your business? Attend FUNdamentals Live on October 10-12, 2024 in O’Fallon, MO.

NewsIf you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to info@2regularguys.com. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Dad JokeTerry: What did Jay-Z call his wife before they were married?

Feyonce

DTG and DTFAaron: Plug for Printing United education. https://www.ilearningplus.org/courses/dtgdtf-printing-technology-essentials

This course will cover “what’s possible” and “how-to” of DTG and DTF printing

After completing all of the knowledge assessments we are pleased to also share with you a great resource you can use if you are looking to purchase DTG or DTF equipment. It is a list of questions to ask the manufacturer.

Terry – MODULE 1: Direct-to-Garment – The Process

1. Inkjet printing directly onto a garment
2. Components in the process
   1. The DTG printer – Purpose built or repurposed inkjet printer
   2. Pretreat method
   3. Curing after the print
3. Learning curve
   1. Ink Volume versus Desired Look (Ink Cost)
   2. Losing the Qty. Break Mindset
4. Artwork separates one decorator from the next
5. 300 dpi file save at full size, and ideally with a transparent background

Terry – MODULE 2: Pretreating

1. What is pretreat solution and why is it important?
2. Application options
   1. Paint roller
   2. Pump sprayer
   3. Pressurized sprayer
   4. Power paint sprayer
   5. Automatic sprayer – open
   6. Automatic sprayer – fully enclosed
3. Match your ink system
4. Pretreated shirts

Terry – MODULE 3: Curing DTG Prints

1. Heat press
   1. Clam v Swingaway
   2. Hovering
2. Conveyor dryer
   1. Any drawbacks – Different from SP Curing
3. Teflon or Silicon paper
4. Specialty Treatments (Foil – Brief)

Aaron – MODULE 4: Direct-to-Film on a DTG Machine

1. Blotches in the image area? Preheat the film
2. How it works on a DTG machine
3. Why DTF on a DTG machine?
   • Wider range of substrates
   • Dye migration
4. What do I need to change to make this work?
5. PET film – Polyethylene terephthalate
6. Adhesive powder – Polyurethane resin
7. Applying adhesive powder
   • While the ink is still wet, pour powder onto the film and allow it to roll across the ink
   • Shake the film to remove excel powder
   • Enclosed powder/shakers
   • Why is there white and black powder?

Terry – MODULE 5: Curing the Films and Application

1. Orange peel finish
   1. It will not be ORANGE
2. Depending on your cure method – 90+ seconds
3. Conveyor dryer
4. Bottom heat element heat press
5. Using the heat press you have
6. Can I just hover over the transfer?
7. Cut sheet dryer oven
8. Applying the transfer to a garment
   1. 275F-330F for 15 seconds
   2. Cold peel – Allow it to stand for a minute
   3. Hot peel – Remove transfer immediately
   4. 5 second press after removing carrier sheet
   5. Wash testing is the only real test of proper application

Terry – MODULE 6: Stand-Alone DTF Machines

1. Newest garment decorating technology
2. Paper printer print heads
3. Fully enclosed system
   1. Adhesive in system (spray)
4. Venting

Terry – MODULE 7: Substrates

1. DTG – 100% ringspun cotton or high cotton content blends
   1. Why and what to do with other substrate (Poly for example)
2. DTF – Virtually any fabric
   1. 100% polyester
   2. Caps
   3. Bags and backpacks
   4. Even cardboard boxes
3. Washability
4. 50+ washings with no degradation of the image is considered a permanent print

Aaron – MODULE 8: Environment

1. My print head is always clogged. What’s wrong with… this machine… this ink… this pretreat?
2. A proper environment is critical to proper operation
3. 40+% humidity
4. Normal office temperature
5. Buy a hygrometer
6. Maintenance
   1. Eliminates 90% of all machine issues

Terry – MODULE 9: Safety

1. DTG – Many inks and pretreat are eco-friendly water base products (Oeko-Tex Passport Certified)
2. DTF ink and adhesive powder safety
3. Adhesive powder is more finely ground than the adhesive screen printers have used for decades
4. Fumes can cause eye, skin or respiratory irritation or potentially an allergic reaction in some people
5. Not the great evil that some make it out to be

The Secret SauceWe serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar. Remember, the right tip at the right time can be just the secret ingredient you need for success.

OTHER EVENTSAchieve Greater Profit with Fewer Sales – Are you ready to achieve a greater profit with less effort?

September 5th, 2024
9 AM Eastern | 8 AM Central
7 AM Mountain | 6 AM Pacific

Join the Masterclass Rising Tide Talks! – Wednesdays at 5 PM Central Time and then available to watch any time. * Small Business Saturdays – Saturdays at Noon Central Time and then available to watch any time. * Master of Success Inner Circle – Bi-Weekly Mastermind Groups on top of the industry-leading business training. * Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago August 3-4. * Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ, August 24-25. * Demystifying Next Level Digitizing Online Training from Erich Campbell * Understanding Emblems Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for patches. * The Take-up with Erich Campbell – Fridays at 2:30 Mountain Time TRADE SHOWS Graphics Pro Expo Greater Philadelphia (Oaks), PA – July 10-12, 2024 * Printing United Expo Las Vegas, NV – September 10-12, 2024 + Targeted Success: Finding Your Ideal Customer Sep. 10, 2024 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm + AI Marketing Mastery: Leveraging ChatGPT for Business Growth Sep. 11, 2024 | 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm * Graphics Pro Expo Indianapolis, IN – October 3-5, 2024 + How to Master Pricing for Profit. October 5, 2024, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm CT * Impressions Expo Ft. Worth, TX – October 24-26, 2024 * Graphics Pro Expo Charlotte, NC – November 7-9, 2024 * Impressions Expo Long Beach, CA – January 23-25, 2025 * DAX Kansas City KCI Expo Center, Kansas City, MO – February 21-22, 2025 * DAX Nashville Farm Bureau Expo Center, Lebanon, TN – May 9-10, 2025 * DAX Chicago Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL – May 30-31, 2025 * DAX Twin Cities Hilton Doubletree, Bloomington, MN – August 1-2, 2025
All dates and events are subject to change