Is it time to buy a DTF printer, or are you better off continuing to outsource your transfers? In this episode, Terry and Aaron look at the decision from both sides. Terry brings the production perspective, while Aaron focuses on the numbers, cash flow, and business planning behind the investment. They will discuss order volume, staffing, available space, maintenance, turnaround time, equipment costs, and the real impact of downtime. They will also explain why the best answer may not be choosing one option over the other. For many decorators, a hybrid approach can provide the right balance of control, flexibility, and backup capacity. Before you invest in equipment or assume outsourcing is holding you back, this conversation will help you understand what factors should drive the decision. Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you. The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on. Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder News If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to info@2regularguys.com. Use the subject line “Weekly News.” https://youtu.be/RegOUvjHDkM Dad Joke Terry: I told my grandson when I was his age, I used to get 10 CDs in the mail for a penny. I don’t know if he thought I was lying about what a CD was, what a penny was, or what the mail was. DTF Transfers versus Printing In-house Aaron: Excited about this discussion. I have been out at the trade show over the last year or so with SuperGamut, but spend much of my time teaching business topics. Over the last several shows, it has been great to see you back out talking to people, and we are hearing some interesting things. More decorators are being pushed toward equipment ownership before they fully understand the commitment. Some salespeople lead with low monthly payments, fast ROI claims, or simplified cost-per-print numbers. Terry can share what he is seeing now that he is back at trade shows. My belief is the real decision is not, “Can I afford the payment?” It is, “Does this equipment fit my business?” Terry: Talk about predatory or overly aggressive sales practices without attacking the entire equipment industry. Some salespeople will discuss your needs and whether what they offer fits those needs. Others try to squeeze, push, and nudge your needs into what they sell, whether it fits or not. Explain that buying equipment is not bad (It’s what I hope I can convince you of), but buying too soon or buying the wrong machine can create a major burden. The goal of the show is not to tell everyone to outsource or everyone to buy. The goal is to help decorators make an informed decision based on volume, workflow, cash flow, staffing, and goals. Why are we suited to have this discussion (with the Regulators’ help) Decades of hands-on production, equipment, and shop experience. (Terry) He understands how equipment performs in the real world, not just on a sales sheet. We bring the financial, planning, pricing, and business-model perspective. (Aaron) Aaron has spent years helping shops know their numbers before making large investments. We both work closely with decorators at different stages, from startups to established production shops. Make it clear that the right answer depends on the individual business. We talk with far too many people who realize they made a purchasing mistake after the fact (72dpi customer) Start With the Heat Press Whether you outsource transfers or print them in-house, the heat press is the foundation. A poor-quality heat press can ruin a good transfer. (This is a conversation we have had before!) No repeat business? It’s not the economy. Maybe your transfer peeled off! The press needs consistent temperature, pressure, and recovery. A commercial heat press should come from a trusted manufacturer. A lifetime warranty on the heating element is a useful standard for evaluating quality. Explain why inexpensive presses often have: Uneven heat, Inconsistent pressure, Slow recovery, Poor durability Someone considering a DTF printer without owning a quality heat press should probably make the press their first investment. Use the working assumption of at least $1,500 for a dependable commercial press. The press is not the flashy purchase, but it is often the most important one. When Outsourcing DTF Transfers Makes Sense Outsourcing keeps the startup cost low. It allows a shop to test demand before committing to equipment. There is no daily printer maintenance. There is no need to manage ink, film, powder, cleaning, ventilation, or replacement parts. Outsourcing can be ideal for shops with inconsistent or unpredictable volume. It allows the decorator to focus on sales, customer service, artwork, and pressing. Transfer pricing is currently very competitive. In some cases, the outsourced transfer may cost less than what a small shop can produce internally. (Blair conversation) Outsourcing can provide access to larger production equipment and professional color management. Shipping costs and turnaround time still need to be considered. Rush orders can become more difficult. The shop depends on the supplier’s schedule, quality, and reliability. A strong supplier relationship becomes very important. When Printing In-House Starts to Make Sense The shop has steady and predictable transfer volume. Outsourcing costs are consistently high enough to support an equipment payment. The business needs faster turnaround. Customers regularly request same-day or next-day production. (And you can charge a premium for that) There is enough physical space for the printer, shaker, dryer, supplies, and ventilation. Someone is available to perform daily cleaning and maintenance. The shop has enough cash flow to cover the payment during slower months. The owner understands that the payment is only one part of ownership. In-house production can offer: Greater control, Faster testing, Easier reprints, More flexible scheduling, reduced dependency on shipping Owning equipment can create opportunities, but only when the shop has the sales and workflow to support it. Know the Real Numbers Start with average monthly outsourced DTF spending. Include transfers, shipping, rush charges, and other related fees. Estimate the average transfer size. Determine how many transfer applications are pressed each month. A front-and-back shirt counts as two transfer applications. Consider expected growth during the next 12 months. Compare current spending to the real monthly cost of ownership. For example, at SuperGamut we estimate, depending on consumables spend, equipment owned, and a few other variables, the transfer material (ink, film, and powder) average $.30 to $.60 a square foot for our partners. So for this discussion lets just use a working material-cost assumption of about $0.50 per square foot. Costs vary based on: Purchasing volume, Ink coverage, Machine efficiency, Operator habits, Waste Add approximately $0.42 per transfer application for pressing labor. This assumes approximately 20 seconds per press, including the post-press, and a combined labor and overhead rate of $75 per production hour. Actual pressing costs will vary based on employee wages, press type, workflow, shop efficiency, and the company’s true overhead rate. (Show Calculator On Screen) Include the equipment payment. Include the heat press payment if the shop does not already own a good one. Remember that rent, utilities, insurance, taxes, management time, and other overhead still matter. Monthly savings on paper do not always equal additional profit. The Hidden Costs of Printing In-House A machine that sits idle can still require maintenance and still have a monthly payment. Daily cleaning and maintenance. Operator training. Ink circulation and white-ink management. Wasted film and failed prints. Reprints caused by artwork or production errors. Replacement parts. Downtime. (Uptime Guarantee) Space, ventilation, electrical requirements, and environmental conditions. Inventory management for ink, powder, film, and cleaning supplies. Time spent troubleshooting. Time spent communicating with technical support. The owner may become the printer technician instead of the business owner. The Secret Sauce We 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. https://youtu.be/hLKrSTRgLrQ OTHER EVENTS Small Business Saturdays – Saturdays at Noon Central Time and then available to watch any time. Master of Success Inner Circle – Bi-weekly Mastermind Groups with accountability, support, and a built-in support group. Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago, March 21-22, 2026 The Take-up with Erich Campbell – Fridays at 2:30 Mountain Time Demystifying Next Level Digitizing Online Training from Erich Campbell Understanding Emblems: Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for patches. DTF Transfer from TransferDepot.com: Use code AMONTGO2025 for 10% Off DTFUniversity.com: The industry’s DTF education source in partnership with SuperGamut and DTF Superstore. Trade Shows ASI Show Chicago, IL – July 21-23, 2026 DAX Twin Cities, MN – August 7-8, 2026 Friday, Aug 07, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. –
