Best t-shirt printers for 2022

Given the number of options available, it can be difficult finding the right tshirt printer. But if you know what to look for, you’ll be able to choose a printing machine made specifically for your application. Modern t-shirt printers can be compact and fast. They also produce many colors, so you can create unique designs.

Print your photos on a shirt, or create t-shirts that you can customize for companies or sports teams. Let us help you choose by comparing the best t-shirt printers. These are the top 2022 t-shirt printing companies. 

Whether you’re getting a t-shirt printer for commercial or personal use, the quality of the prints will depend on the machine you get. And while it’s important to read reviews and product descriptions, your individual needs should determine the printer you choose. These are some of the factors to consider when searching for the best T-shirt Printer.

All your printing needs

Printing t-shirts is a hobby, or a business. Do you prefer to start small before starting a t shirt printing business? How many shirts are you planning to print every month. If you intend to print less than 500 tees per year, a small sublimation machine is sufficient. If you go above that figure, you’ll want to invest in a Direct to Garment (DTG) printer.

Method of printing

There are many different methods of printing t-shirts, each with its own pros and cons. A thin layer of ink is sprayed onto the fabric by printers, creating a softening effect. These printers are ideal for intricate designs that require smooth transitions between different colors such as photos. They are very similar to traditional inkjet printers and can be used for switching between designs with no complicated setup. But, DTG printers are expensive, so it’s probably more than you need unless you are printing high-volume orders.

Screen printing is one of the most common–and oldest–methods of printing on shirts. Screen printing involves pressing ink through a screen (the stencil) onto fabric. Each color requires a different screen. Screen printing produces vivid, long-lasting designs with almost unlimited color options. It is great for bulk orders but isn’t ideal for highly detailed designs. 

T-shirts printed with dye sublimation are a great choice. This method uses a unique color vaporizing technique to produce soft, breathable prints. Sublimation is only possible on polyester and synthetic fabrics. 

For those who are starting to experiment with their designs, heat press printing is the best option. Print a design using your laser printer or inkjet and use heat and pressure to stick it onto the shirt. It won’t hold up as well to washing as other methods but is more beginner-friendly.

Material costs

Although the price of the printer is important when deciding which t-shirt printer you will buy, it is also important to consider the material and the operation costs. 

Screen printing is affordable, but you will pay more if you go for complex designs and many colors. For small orders, the cost of setting up screens is prohibitive due to the labor required. 

DTG printing is not cheap as it requires an expensive printer to get started, but it’s ideal for small orders or switching between designs frequently. 

Maintenance

When shopping for a tshirt printing machine, maintenance should be your top priority. A printer that can be automated cleaned and has low maintenance costs is a good choice. You’ll also want something with minimal manual maintenance time. Some printers will alert you when they need cleaning, so you don’t have to keep track of when you last cleaned it.

These are our top picks for the best t-shirt printers of 2022

Overall, this is the best: F2C 5-in-1 Pro Heat Press Machine

It made it to the final cut: The 5-in-1 printer can be used by even beginners. It can be used for personal and commercial printing, as well as small businesses.

Specs:

• Method of printing: Heat press
• Dimensions20.6 x 19.6×20.2 in
• Printing area: 12 x15 inches
• Weight: 55.8 pounds

Pros:

• Durability and strength in one body
• 360° rotation for high precision
• Adjustment knob for full-range pressure adjustment 
• Alarm and intelligent timer
• It is simple to use

Cons:

• It takes 1200W heating elements a long time to heat up to the desired temperature
• Can’t print on extra-large t-shirts

F2C 5-in-1 Pro Heat Press Machine perfectly combines function and form. The machine is strong enough to withstand both novice and professional use. This heat press has many useful features—a non-stick surface, swing-away 360-degree rotation, and a full-range pressure-adjustment knob.  Despite its industrial-grade metallic body, it’s portable and can be used on small working surfaces, making it ideal for someone who doesn’t have a dedicated workspace.

What makes it the best machine to print t-shirts? The machine is simple to use. The adjustable pressure knob, temperature control and timer allow you to easily adjust the settings. The plate measures 12 x 15 inches and allows you to print large designs. Built-in structural support maintains flatness, which ensures even pressure distribution.

The machine’s many features make it superior to its competition. It has attachments that enable you to print on apparel and plates. It can also rotate 360 degrees so you can apply heat or pressure to different areas.

Interestingly, the machine’s versatility is also its undoing. Its attachments can be heavy and difficult to replace. And because it’s not a dedicated t-shirt printing machine, it doesn’t accommodate extra-large prints. It takes some time for the 1200 W heating element to reach the desired temperature.

The best sublimation printer Epson EcoTank ET-2720 Wireless printer

The reason it was chosenThe Epson EcoTank ET-2720 wireless printing device is excellent for quality prints, easy to convert into a dye-sublimation printer, and it’s user-friendly.

Specs:

• Method of printing: Sublimation
• Dimensions13.7 x 14.8 x 8.7 in
• Printing area: 8.5×14 inches
• Weight: 11.88 pounds

Pros:

• Prints of high quality
• Low operating costs
• Affordable
• Supports wireless printing and WiFi-direct printing
• Can be used as a Sublimation Printer
• Features a built-in scanner, copier, and fax machine

Cons:

• Slower printing speed
• Can only print up to  8.5 x 14 inches

If you’re looking for the best machine for sublimation t-shirt printing, look no further than the Epson EcoTank ET-2720. This printer is the best value for money and one of the top sublimation printers.  However, since the EcoTank isn’t a dedicated sublimation printer, you will need to convert it. For best–and easiest–results, you should do this with a brand new printer, but be aware that it does void the warranty, and you can only use it as a sublimation printer moving forward. 

Inject sublimation ink in the ink tanks to convert it from a regular printer to a dyesublimation printer. Although it will need to be converted, the machine still holds its own against dedicated dye-sublimation printing machines. The machine has a maximum print resolution 5760 x 1440 DPI. This makes it ideal for printing photos onto shirts.  

Epson’s EcoTank printers hold plenty of ink, so your ink may last for months, based on your usage. The ET-2720 is not without its flaws. The biggest one is its small printing area, 8.5 x 14 inches, so it’s best suited to small t-shirts.

Best value: SURPCOS 5-in-1 Heat Press

The reason it was chosen: The SURPCOS heat press machine features all the standard features and is cheaper than other 5-in-1 heat presses. 

Specs:

• Method of printing: Heat press
• Dimensions: 15 x12 x 18 inches
• Printing area: 12 x15 inches
• Weight: 40.6 pounds

Pros:

• 360-degree rotating swing arm
• High-temperature—up to 450⁰ F
• Built-in timer
• 5-in-1 functionality

Cons:

• Unclear user manual
• The timer setting for beginners is not user-friendly

Although the best shirt-making machine won’t save you any money, it will help you save time. And if you’re lucky, you can get a machine that saves you both time and money, like the SURPCOS Heat Press 5-in-1 printer. It is the most affordable printer without sacrificing quality. It can print on clothing, glass, and other materials with five attachments.

The digital time- and temperature controls make it easy to set the time and temperature you desire. The pressure knob can be adjusted to match the fabric thickness and the desired pressure. The detachable lower plate can be swapped easily with a Phillips wrench. The heating element can be rotated 360 degrees to prevent accidental contact.

The SURPCOS heatpress features a large 12×15-inch heating plate, and an easy to assemble and disassemble design. However, it does not come without its problems. Its manual has confusing English-Chinese translations and is difficult to understand. Also, you’ll need to set aside time to learn how to configure the timer.

Screen printing is best: VEVOR Screen Printing Machine

The reason it was chosenVEVOR screen printing machines are compact and easy-to-assemble. The machine can print on complicated materials and applies four colors of ink to each side.

Specs:

• Method of printing: Screenprint
• Dimensions: 55×7.9×32 inches
• Printing area21.7 x 17.7 Inches
• Weight: 43.2 pounds

Pros:

• Easy to assemble
• Prints of high quality
• Sturdy build
• Large printing area
• Desktop design saves space

Cons:

• Not great for mass production
• It’s hard to line up the holes during assembly

VEVOR is a custom shirt printing machine that’s ideal for a variety of materials. The machine can print on fabric, metal, wood and paper as well as other materials. It will print your designs on almost any flat surface that accepts screen printing ink.

This four-color, one station screen printing machine makes multi-color printing more efficient. Simply attach the screens to your printer and rotate it as necessary. 

The VEVOR Screen Printing Machine is easy to assemble, easy to use, and its design ensures it doesn’t take up much space. It’s ideal for people with limited space or those who only print occasionally.

VEVOR screen printers are the best for artists and small businesses. However, there are some drawbacks. It is not ideal for mass production, so we don’t recommend it for busy settings. It may be difficult to align the holes during assembly.

This is the best fabric printing option: PUNEHOD DTF Transfer printer

It made it to the final cut: It produces high-quality prints on all fabrics, and it is simple to use. It’s also more affordable than DTG machines.

Specs:

• Method of printing: Direct to Film
• Dimensions: 12.99 x 6.87 x 5.12 in
• Printing area: 
• Weight: 61.6 pounds

Pros:

• You can print on many materials
• Requires no pre-treatment
• White ink is used less than DTG printers
• Prints high-quality, durable prints
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• It is difficult to set up.
• Slow printing speed

Direct to film (DTF), a unique method, involves printing on special films and then transferring the designs onto clothing. DTF prints last twice as long as traditional silkscreen prints. This means that your printed shirts can last for many years. The PUNEHOOD model is a top-of-the-line clothing printer and will be a great addition for your t shirt printing setup. This printer can print flawlessly on both cotton and leather fabrics.

The best thing about DTF technology is that you don’t need to pre-treat fabrics after you print your designs on the PET film. . Film prints can be used immediately or stored for later use. DTF printers use less ink than DTG.

It’s worth mentioning that this printer isn’t easy to set up, and beginners may find the process quite hard. The manufacturer provides excellent customer service that can help you with the installation process. Unfortunately, the machine’s printing speed is also wanting, and it gets even slower with increased image size and resolution. We recommend that you print your favorite designs before printing and that they be stored for future use. 

FAQs

Methodology

This product roundup compares different t-shirt printers from different manufacturers. It is based on various features such as build quality and functionality, portability, printing areas, and ease-of-use. We compared printers using the same printing technology to arrive at a fair verdict. We also analyzed buyers’ reviews on major e-commerce sites like Amazon and eBay.

Last Thoughts

Printing tee shirts can be both a rewarding hobby and a lucrative business venture. To get the best results, find a tshirt printing machine that prints the exact type of print you require and can work with the designs you have in mind.