DAGuide

Most people that are looking at buying a dtg printer have little to no experience or knowledge about graphic software programs.  So when someone starts to talk about vector or raster graphics, it becomes even more confusing as to which type of graphic software program to choose.  You will find a lot of posts that talk about how some people prefer one software program over the next.  Below are a couple of posts that compare the different graphic software programs:

• http://www.t-shirtforums.com/graphics-design-help/t38966.html
• http://www.inkjetgarmentprinters.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3004
• http://www.t-shirtforums.com/graphics-design-help/t22290.html

With the growth in desktop publishing, I believe that all dtg owners should have at least one vector and one raster graphic software program to handle the different types of files a customer will give to you.  Both types of files have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to printing with a dtg printer.   Here is a link that talks about both of these types of graphics - http://www.t-shirtforums.com/graphics-design-help/t44020.html.

PRINTING TIP:  With most dtg printers, it is typically easier to hide banding when you print a raster graphic compared to a vector graphic due to the fact that banding is more noticeable when printing solid areas of the same color.  However, a vector file allows you to enlarge a graphic without pixelating it (i.e. making the graphic blurry).  You can also convert a raster graphic into a vector graphic.  Here is a post that provides you different options for doing this - http://www.t-shirtforums.com/graphics-design-help/t40258.html

 
Graphics provided by Great Dane Graphics - www.greatdanegraphics.com

I strongly recommend any new / novice user getting some graphic software training.  Training is typically done at an industry trade show, community / local college, online and other ways (i.e. CDs / DVDs).  Here are some links to some websites that offer either online training or training CDs.

• www.greatdanegraphics.com
• www.d2slearning.com
• www.lynda.com
• www.advancedartist.com
• www.coreldrawunleashed.com
• www.garmentgraphicsnetwork.com 

Just like any other printer, a dtg printer uses either a print driver or a RIP to convert the design into a formatted file that the printer can read.  Most CMYK Only printers will use just a print driver.  However, a CMYK+White Ink printer will have a RIP software to help process the white ink underbase layers.  Both type of software are fine, but in most cases a RIP will provide the operator more control over the colors and ink being printed.

      
Brother GT-541 Driver                                  MultiRIP GP Print-From RIP

BUSINESS TIP:  You will want to pay close attention to the software for all the dtg printers you are considering as there are very simple ones and there are complex ones.  Depending on the operator’s graphic software experience and willingness to learn, you will want to choose the software that works best for your business.

 All direct-to-garment printers include software to drive it.  Some of these software packages can only open raster files (JPG, PSD, TIFF, etc.) and thus are simply “Printing Utilities” and not truly a RIP.   A print driver is similar to the basic software you would get with your standard desktop printer.  You will find some simple selections (i.e. draft, enhanced, photo,…) to choose from that will allow you to adjust your print settings.  An example of a dtg printer that uses a print driver is the Brother GT-541.  For a software package to be a true RIP, it must be able to rasterize page description languages like PostScript or PDF.  If it only handles raster files, it is a “printing utility”, not a RIP. You might be asking… So?  Well, the answer is two words: Print Quality.  When you have a professional rasterizer (a true RIP), you’ll get better output, smoother blends, better font reproduction, better color matching, better image-size interpolation, etc.

Although a RIP is not as important in a CMYK-only setup, it is indispensable in a CMYK+White ink or dual-CMYK setup.  In general, a RIP software allows you more control over the colors of the graphic used by the printer by allowing for choices like: RGB / CMYK Color Source Profile, Resolution, Uni-Directional vs. Bi-Directional printing, assigning ICC / ICM profiles and more.  RIPs will also help with creating the underbase layer when printing white ink. 

BUSINESS TIP:   If you are a MAC user, confirm with the dtg manufacturer that the print driver or RIP will work in conjunction with your MAC computer in advance.  Otherwise, you will probably want a dedicated Windows computer to drive your dtg printer. 

PRINTING TIP:  When printing on to any type of fabric, you graphic should not be over 200 DPI in resolution as the fabric will not be able to hold a higher resolution.  Printing at a higher resolution most likely is a waste of ink and may cause ink to puddle on the fabric.

There are two types of RIP software programs: print-to RIP and print-from RIP.  The main differences between the RIPs are a print-to RIP will allow you to print directly from a graphic software (i.e. Photoshop, CorelDraw,…) and a print-from RIP requires the graphic software to be loaded into the RIP before printing it.  Examples of dtg printers using a print-to RIP are DTG, Flexi-Jet and Direct Advantage lines of dtg printers. 

 
Flexi-Jet Print To RIP Application

A print-from RIP requires that the design to be saved in the graphic software program and then brought into the print-from RIP application.  Examples of dtg printers using a print-from RIP are the T-Jet and Anajet lines of dtg printers. 

 
T-Jet FastRIP Print-From Application

Some RIP software, like MultiRIP GP, provide the user both a Print-To and Print-From RIP applications.  For more information about MultiRIP GP, please visit www.multirip.com/direct_to_garment.html.

TECH SUPPORT TIP: Make sure that there is adequate information (whether written or videos) on how to use the different features of the RIP.  Very few people are able to fully understand a RIP and its features during a training class.