AnaJet direct to garment Inkjet Printing

Dye Sublimation (Iron On)

Thermal Transfer

Screen Printing

Basic
Technology

Inkjet direct printing on garment

Printing images on a release paper, then transfer image to garment by heat press.

Transfer preprinted images to garment by heat press

Screen printing directly on garment

Technology History

New digital revolution

50+ years

50+ years

100+ years tradition

Printing on
100% cotton

Yes

No

No

Yes

Suitable Substrate

Cotton, Poly-cotton, Cotton blends, and other materials.

Polyester

Primarily Polyester, poly-cotton, and others

Cotton, Poly-cotton and other materials

Ink and
Environmental Concerns

Water-based pigment ink.   Environmentally friendly. Non toxic. No fumes.  

Typically Solvent-based ink. VOC and environmental concerns.

Ink is already on transfer paper. Can generate VOC.

Screen printing ink, plastisol. Environmental concerns. Produces VOC, and waste water problems.

Printed Garment’s Tactile Feel

Soft and natural cotton feeling

Natural feeling.

Depends on the character of transfer paper used.

Thick hardened plastisol. Not natural feeling.

Individual customized graphics, and
short run.  

Yes

Yes

No

No

Capital Equipment Investment  

$15K – $200K

$2K -- $10K

$2K -- $5K

$5K -- $250K

Suitable for:

Professional Commercial System

Hobbyist or small scale commercial.

Hobbyist or small scale commercial.

Professional Commercial System