How a T-Shirt Studio in London Reached $7,800/Month with a DTG Printer
21-08-2026
Oliver runs a premium t-shirt studio in London, UK. Before 2025, Oliver used heat transfer vinyl for custom shirts. Vinyl could not produce photographic prints or gradients. Customers asked for full-color artwork but Oliver had to decline.
In February 2025, Oliver invested in a DTG printer. The direct to garment printer produced photographic-quality prints on 100% cotton. Within six months, monthly revenue grew from $2,000 to $7,800 with 55% profit margins.
The following breakdown covers equipment, costs, and timeline based on industry averages for UK apparel studios.
Why Oliver Chose a DTG Printer Over DTF
Oliver compared two technologies. A DTF printer cost $1,500 and printed on film for heat transfer. A DTG printer cost $3,500 and printed directly onto garments.
For premium cotton, DTG produced softer feel and brighter colors. The t-shirt printer used water-based pigment ink absorbing into cotton fibers. DTF prints sat on fabric with a rubbery texture.
The direct to garment printer required no film, powder, or heat press. A built-in heater cured ink during printing. The DTG printing machine operated as a single-step process.
Break-even: DTF required 4 months. The DTG printer required 5 months due to higher equipment cost but higher per-unit pricing.
Equipment and Startup Cost
Oliver purchased: A3 DTG printer with dual print heads ($$3,500), pre-treatment machine $$400), heat press ($$300), initial DTG ink CMYK+White $$500), pre-treatment solution ($$150), exhaust ventilation $$150). Total: $5,000.
The DTG printing machine arrived in late February. Setup took three days with onsite training on pre-treatment and color management.
Six-Month Revenue Growth
Months 1-2: Learning phase. Oliver focused on band merch and artist collaborations. Revenue grew from $2,000 to $2,800. New customers came from Instagram and streetwear communities.
Month 3: Full production. The DTG printer ran 6 hours daily. Oliver added corporate merch and fashion samples. Revenue: $4,000. Break-even achieved.
Months 4-6: Fashion brands placed bulk orders including 300 streetwear tees and 500 festival shirts. By month 6, monthly output included 500 t-shirts, 150 hoodies, 100 tote bags. Revenue: $7,800.
Profit Margins by Product
Premium cotton tees generated highest volume. Pre-treatment $0.30, ink $1.20, blank $4.50, labor $1.00. Total: $7.00. Selling price: $22.00. Profit: $15.00. Margin: 68%.
Hoodies had 60% margins, tote bags 62%. The t-shirt printer handled cotton, linen, and bamboo blends.
Monthly fixed costs: studio rent $700, part-time assistant $800, utilities $150, marketing $250. Total: $1,900.
At $7,800 revenue with 55% average gross margin, net monthly profit was approximately $2,390.
Key Advantages of the DTG Printing Machine
First: photographic quality. The direct to garment printer printed 1440dpi with unlimited colors. Photographs, paintings, and gradients reproduced accurately beyond vinyl or screen printing.
Second: no minimum orders. The DTG printer printed one t-shirt at full quality. Oliver accepted single custom orders and artist proofs. Screen printing competitors required 50-piece minimums.
Third: soft hand feel. Water-based DTG ink absorbed into cotton fibers. Prints felt like part of the fabric, unlike thick rubbery DTF transfers.
Recommendations for a DTG Printer for Business
One: invest in pre-treatment equipment. Proper pre-treatment ensures white ink opacity and wash durability. The DTG printer for business requires consistent pre-treatment application for commercial quality.
Two: target premium segments. Streetwear brands, artists, and corporate clients pay 2-3x more for DTG quality. Competing on price with DTF shops reduces margins.
Anyone researching a t-shirt printer should compare DTG versus DTF based on target market and garment type.
Next Steps
If you operate a premium apparel studio, artist merch business, or fashion brand in the UK, a DTG printer opens high-margin production with photographic quality and no minimums.
Contact our team for customized pricing and color profiles. Factory-direct pricing, remote training, 1-year warranty.
Support in English
Disclaimer: The above case study uses industry-average data for illustrative purposes. Actual revenue and profit depend on local market conditions, business management, and operational efficiency. Results vary.