Searching for a DTG printer for your business can feel overwhelming with various brands, prices, and opinions online. We make it simple to find the best DTG printer for small businesses in 2026 without all of the fluff.
What is DTG Printing?
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is the process of printing directly to a garment with specialized digital inkjet technology that sprays water-based ink onto fabric. The printing method is similar to regular inkjet printing, but is designed for clothing.
The advantage to DTG printing is offering high-detail, full-color designs, custom apparel, and small batch orders on-demand. There is no setup required or screens to be made making this an easy process for decorating shirts. This process works best on pre-treated garments of any color or light colored garments, 100% cotton or cotton-blends, and is set into place with heat.
Best DTG Printers for Small Businesses
Epson is a household name and without a doubt offer the best DTG equipment on the market. From the quality of their PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads to their immediate support, you will never feel frustrated or regretful of your purchase. Manufacturing equipment for industrial print shops down to small home-based businesses, Epson keeps their quality consistent.
Epson carries various sizes of DTG printers from a large industrial size producing up to 100 shirts an hour. Their offerings include their mid-range DTG printer and their small in-home desktop sized printer perfect for smaller businesses and compact space. The best DTG printer for small businesses is the Epson F1070.
How much does a DTG Printer Cost?
Knowing what your budget is for a new piece of equipment can help you make a decision. However, don’t let it hold you back from getting the equipment you really need. When you are purchasing from a brand like Epson, you aren’t paying for the name. Instead, you pay for the high-quality technology that isn’t comparable to anything else on the market. The in-home F1070 desktop DTG Printer is $7,495 (as of February 2026) with occasional promotions. There is also the business-edition which includes 4 extra white inks and other extra maintenance supplies at $7,995.
Financing or leasing a printer is one of the best ways people purchase a new printer without breaking the bank. In addition, keeping their cash flow on hand, while boosting their business credit is a great way to get a printer for less. We work with various finance partners who understand businesses and their growing need for purchasing equipment. Contacting them to understand requirements, approval terms, and interests rates can help bring the large chunk of the printer price into manageable monthly payment.
Is a DTG Printer Worth it?
Wondering whether a DTG printer is worth the investment is a critical part of the research process. Before committing to any equipment, you need to understand whether it aligns with your production goals, target market, and long-term business growth.
To evaluate the real earning potential and ROI of a DTG printer, let’s look at a realistic production scenario using a full-front 10” x 12” print on a dark, pre-treated garment in standard speed mode.
At an average production pace of 15 to 18 shirts per hour, a small shop can comfortably produce about 16 finished garments per hour. This takes loading, printing, and curing time into account.
In most cases, the average retail price of a custom printed shirt is $24 and the estimated production cost per shirt is approximately $7 including the blank garment, pretreatment, and ink, that results in about $17 gross profit per shirt.
At 16 shirts per hour, that equals roughly $272 in gross profit per hour.
Running just six productive hours per day could generate over $1,600 in daily gross revenue. Thus, over a 20-day working month, that represents approximately $32,000 in monthly revenue potential before overhead expenses.
Actual production speed, pricing, and profit margins will vary based on artwork coverage, garment type, operator efficiency, and local market demand. However, this example demonstrates how a properly utilized DTG printer can quickly become a strong revenue driver for apparel brands such as print shops, and promotional product businesses.
Futhermore, if you want to calculate what these numbers could look like for your specific business model, production goals, and pricing structure, speaking with a printing equipment specialist can help you determine a more personalized ROI projection.
Final Recommendation
Our final recommendation for the best DTG printer for small businesses in 2026 is the Epson F1070. It delivers exceptional print quality, precise detail, and reliable production speeds in a compact footprint. This fits comfortably into startups, home-based businesses, and growing print shops alike.
For small businesses looking to enter the apparel market without sacrificing performance, the F1070 offers a balance of efficiency, ease of use, and professional-grade output. This makes it a strong long-term investment.
The best way to evaluate any printer is to see it in action. We invite you to schedule a live demo at our Las Vegas showroom, conveniently located just south of the airport. Watching the equipment run in person allows you to compare print quality, speed, and workflow. Additionally, you receive guidance from experienced printing equipment specialists.
Finally, if you have questions about pricing, financing options, production capacity, or whether DTG is the right fit for your business, contact our printing equipment specialists here to determine the best equipment for your budget, production goals, and long-term growth.