THE DTG COLUMN L
etʼs get straight to the point – PROFIT! Researching the figures now can save a lot of money and make sure the process fits with your plans.
With the right kind of work, profits made by using the direct to garment process can be very lucrative. Different kinds of garment decoration can be better suited to other processes or lend themselves to a combination of decoration methods to maximise profits. So which are best? In a nutshell, there are three main areas where direct to garment is the most lucrative.
Web to print
This process started to show itself in the late 90s, more so for conventional digital printing and litho printing. With variable data web ordering becoming more and more cost effective, thereʼs the added benefit that most of the leg work is removed from the supplier (you) as the artwork is done, payment taken and shipping details all laid out and handled by the ordering system. A back office environment means location and cost of premises can be maximised if you are starting from scratch.
If you are considering adding direct to garment to your existing business the chances are your existing premises will be adequate due to the relatively small footprint.
Stock designs
Selling stock designs online and using a print on demand process eliminates the need to carry pre-printed garments. This massively reduces your financial exposure and reduces strain on the ever important cash flow. Simple, off the shelf solutions like Amazon, ebay and
Play.com can be used as platforms with massive online footfall. These web solutions charge a per centage of the final sale value. Based on the amount of possible views that can turn into sales this is incredible value for money.
Fulfilment Trade printing is another area where direct to garment printing can reap high profits. Many of Resoluteʼs own customers have businesses with multiple units producing hundreds of shirts per day. Taking on trade work naturally lowers your potential profit; with direct to garment printing these are still high enough to run a business selling into the trade. The demand for direct to garment printing outweighs the supply in the UK and will continue to do so for some time to come. Of course, if you sell into the trade there is nothing stopping you selling your own designs via a web solution, cashing in on both sides of the coin. So with the three top areas to sell direct to garment prints listed letʼs take a look at
| 56 | December 2012
by Colin Marsh Managing Director Resolute DTG
the running costs. Ink will be the most common consumable ordered, hence the importance of its true cost. Before making a decision on which system you go for check out the long term consumable costs based on running at full capacity. There are different kinds of ink delivery system. Bulk ink feed systems are the most economical. Refilling means you are not paying to throw away cartridges every time your printer asks for ink. This also helps with the environment as less waste is generated. We are lucky in Europe to have the weather we do! Not so much the lack of sun but more that we have a relatively mild, consistent climate eliminating the need for sealed cartridges.
When humidity drops in much hotter or colder countries, water-based ink can be affected. As we rarely hit +30C or –20C in the UK, humidity needs little consideration when creating a direct to garment printing environment. Based on cost per litre, letʼs take a look at the difference this can make on a per print basis: n £150 per litre average A4 dark print cost £1.20 including pre treatment.
n £200 per litre average A4 dark print cost £1.60 including pre treatment.
n £300 per litre average A4 dark print cost £2.40 including pre treatment.
n £400 per litre average A4 dark print cost £3.20 including pre treatment.
n £500 per litre average A4 dark print cost £4 including pre treatment. Looking at these figures clearly shows running costs play a very big part in the end result financially.
Also look at the availability of consumables. Can you buy the products you need from another supplier? If not how can you compare prices or rely on healthy competition to keep your costs to a minimum.
On the Resolute stand at Printwear & Promotion LIVE 2013 (NEC, Birmingham, February 24-26), we will be demonstrating something very different next year. Thatʼs all we can say at the moment! So keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information on this exciting show.
For more information
If you have a general question about direct to garment printing or would like advice on the process please contact: Resolute DTG Ltd Unit 2, Turnoaks Lane Chesterfield S40 2HA Tel: 01246 202686
Email:
info@resoluteink.co.uk Website:
www.resolutedtg.com
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Starting a Direct to Garment business
Since 2010, direct to garment printing has become the fastest growing garment decoration process, seemingly unaffected by the economic climate. Whether you are thinking of starting a business or adding the direct to garment process to an existing business there are a few tips we can pass on to help with your research.
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