When Outsourcing Print Production Makes More Sense Than Buying Equipment

If you are having trouble with buying equipment. Then outsourcing print production would be a better option. It may sound simple and easy to do. But a lot of details go into this process.

You have to control quality, timing, costs, etc., and you will need a heat press, a powder shaker, ink, film, space, and tons of time to learn how to use the machine.

And even with all of this, there would probably be more problems and requirements to come, and yet this is still a better option. Read this blog to learn more

The Real Cost Of Buying Print Equipment

Most people look at the price of the printer and stop there.

Big mistake.

 An entry-level DTF printer and powder shaker combo can go from $2,500-$4,000. Production-ready setups will run $7,000-$15,000+. And this is before buying your first roll of film.

Then come the hidden costs:

• Ink, film, and powder (often $200 to $500 in the first 3 months)
• Daily maintenance to stop the print heads from clogging
• Repairs and replacement parts
• The hours spent learning the machine instead of selling.

That last one is the real killer.

One hour spent unclogging a print head is one hour NOT doing marketing, sales, or design. The things that really help grow your business.

Also, there are customers for you to chase. The worldwide custom t-shirt printing industry is believed to hit $12.4 billion by 2036. Big. Market. chances. …But only if you decide to use your time going for it.

Why No Minimum Custom Transfers Change The Game

A few years ago, outsourcing had one big catch.

Minimum order quantities.

Copy shops wanted you to order quantities of 50, 100, or even 500 at a time. If you just wanted 12 shirts for a neighborhood team or wanted to try just one new design, you can’t. Buying your own tools looks like the only solution.

That is no longer true. With no minimum custom transfers, you can order just one design or a full run with no up-front cost for excess stock. Try out a new design by buying a small batch of Custom DTF Transfers, pressing them onto blanks with your normal heat press, and see which designs fly off the shelves before buying more.

Pretty cool, right?

This gives you the best of both worlds:

• Low risk: You only pay for what you really use.
• Fast testing: Try new designs without wasting money on bulk stock.
• Professional quality: Transfers are made from commercial machines and printed by staff who print transfers all day.

You still iron the shirts yourself. You just avoid the costly (and messy) step.

4 Signs Outsourcing Is The Better Move

Can’t decide which direction to turn? These are the most straightforward reasons outsourcing is better.

Your Orders Are Small Or Unpredictable

If you get 20 orders one week and only 2 the next, printers will be just sitting most of the time. Idle DTF printers are bad… white ink can dry up in the heads and cause blockages.

No minimum custom transfers means no-cost quiet weeks. You just place your order when your sales arrive.

You Don’t Have The Space

A good print setup needs space. Space for your printer, shaker, curing station, and ventilation. Most home businesses and small studios don’t have this.

You Want To Focus On Growth

Most successful apparel brands didn’t win by having a printer. They won by having good designs and knowing how to sell apparel.

Small business owners are starting to see this. One survey by Clutch shows that 90% of small businesses reported they will outsource at least one task. The idea is very easy– save time for the most important things.

Your Cash Flow Is Tight

Buying tools for $4,000 or more is money put into tools vs. stock, ads, or new designs. When you outsource it, you take one large expense and make it cost per order.

That’s easier on your bank balance.

When Buying Equipment Actually Makes Sense

But outsourcing isn’t the best answer for everyone.

Buying your own printer can make sense when:

1. You print high volumes every single day.
2. You have stable, predictable orders.
3. You have the space (and staff) to run the machine.
4. You’ve already checked your market and know what sells

Even then, there’s a good way to do it.

First, contract print. Confirm your designs, move, and make consistent orders. When your volume gets large enough that you would run a printer every day… think about buying one.

That way you decide with real numbers. No guesses.

Tip: Keep track of how much you spend each month on transfers for at least 3-6 months. When it starts to get what you would spend each month on a printer, supplies, and maintenance, you may want to crunch those numbers again.

The Bottom Line On Outsourcing vs Buying

Printing tool is the “adulting” decision. Except for most independent brands, it’s a pricey way to hold yourself back.

Outsourcing allows:

• Save money — no high upfront cost for resources.
• Save time — no learning curve and no daily maintenance.
• Remain flexible — buy more when sales rise and less when they fall.

Also, with no minimum custom transfers, you never have to worry about the old bulk order issue again. 

To repeat:

• Work out the full cost of buying tools(not just the printer)
• Start with outsourced transfers to test your designs.
• Put your time into sales and marketing.
• Only buy tools once your volume proves you need them.

Keep it simple. Let someone else handle the printing as you build the brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

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