Increase Your DTG Printing Profit Margins: Advanced Tips

Running a DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing business is exciting—but if you're not optimizing your process, you could be leaving serious profits on the table. Whether you’re doing print-on-demand, custom apparel, or bulk orders, increasing your DTG printing profit margins is key to long-term success.

In this guide, we’ll cover advanced tips to help you reduce costs, boost efficiency, and grow your income with every shirt you print.

1. Use a Cost-Efficient DTG Printer

Not all DTG printers are created equal. Some consume more ink, require frequent maintenance, or produce inconsistent results—all of which eat into your profit.

✅ Choose a reliable and efficient printer like theMTuTech DTG Printer, designed for low ink consumption, minimal maintenance, and high-speed, professional-grade prints.

2. Optimize Ink Usage

White ink is typically the most expensive part of a DTG print job. Here’s how to use it more efficiently:

● Use lower white underbase settings for dark garments.

● Avoid large solid white backgrounds unless necessary.

● Use transparent PNG files to eliminate unnecessary print areas.

Pro Tip: Adjust RIP software settings to reduce ink volume without sacrificing quality.

3. Streamline Pretreatment Process

Pretreatment is essential for dark garments but can become a bottleneck if not optimized.

Tips:

● Use a pretreatment machine for consistent application.

● Store treated garments properly to reduce waste.

● Don’t over-spray—use only the required amount for good adhesion.

This reduces reprints and improves overall print consistency.

4. Buy Ink and Supplies in Bulk

As your order volume grows, so should your buying strategy. Purchase:

● Ink cartridges in larger sizes

● Pretreatment fluids by the gallon

● Blank garments in bulk (with wholesale pricing)

Just a small savings per unit can significantly boost profit across hundreds of shirts.

5. Reduce Wasted Prints

Nothing kills profit faster than misprints.

✅ Always run a nozzle check before printing. 

✅ Pre-treat and cure garments properly. 

✅ Use test prints and color proofs for new designs.

Quality control ensures fewer reprints and refunds, boosting customer satisfaction and ROI.

6. Automate Order Management

The faster you process and ship orders, the more you can sell.

Tools like:

● Printify, Printful (for POD integrations)

● Shopify + DTG software plugins

● Automated order and inventory systems

… can save hours of manual work per week and help you handle more orders without increasing costs.

7. Upsell and Cross-Sell Products

Don’t just sell one t-shirt—offer:

● Custom hoodies

● Tote bags

● Bundle deals (buy 2, get 1 free)

● Limited-edition designs

Upselling can increase your average order value (AOV), leading to bigger profits per customer.

8. Improve Marketing ROI

Targeted ads and SEO content will drive better results at lower costs.

● Focus on profitable niches (pets, gaming, memes, etc.)

● Use retargeting ads for website visitors

● Collect emails and upsell to returning customers

Want organic traffic? Start blogging! (Like this one)

9. Price Strategically

Don’t race to the bottom. Price based on:

● Per-unit cost + labor + overhead

● Brand value and design uniqueness

● Shipping and handling

Aim for at least a 50–60% margin after costs.

10. Maintain Your Printer Regularly

A well-maintained machine prints better and lasts longer. Clean print heads, wiper blades, and capping stations consistently.

✅ TheMTuTech DTG Printer features easy maintenance and cost-saving features, making it ideal for profit-focused businesses.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your DTG printing profits isn’t just about selling more—it’s about printing smarter, reducing waste, and maximizing efficiency. By applying these advanced strategies, you’ll turn every order into higher revenue.

Ready to grow your profits with a dependable printer?

Explore the MTuTech DTG Printer – Built for Performance and Profit.