13 Inch vs 24 Inch DTF Printer: Which One Should You Buy?
Choosing between a 13 inch and 24 inch DTF printer comes down to your space, budget, order volume, production goals, and how fast you want to grow. This guide breaks down which setup makes the most sense for your business.
If you are starting or growing a DTF printing business, one of the biggest buying decisions is whether to invest in a 13 inch DTF printer or move straight into a 24 inch DTF printer setup. Both can be profitable, but they are built for different stages of business.
A 13 inch DTF printer is usually better for beginners, smaller shops, home-based businesses, and decorators who want a more compact setup. A 24 inch DTF printer is better for higher production, larger gang sheets, faster output, and shops that want to scale into serious transfer production.
Quick Answer
Buy a 13 inch DTF printer if you are starting out, have limited space, want a lower entry point, or plan to print smaller daily volumes. Buy a 24 inch DTF printer if you already have orders, want to print larger gang sheets, need higher output, or plan to build a serious transfer or print-on-demand business.
13 Inch DTF Printer: Best for Starting Out
A 13 inch DTF printer is a strong option for beginners and growing small businesses that want to bring printing in-house without taking on a full commercial production setup right away. It gives you the ability to print custom transfers, small gang sheets, left chest logos, youth designs, sleeve prints, and standard shirt graphics while keeping your equipment footprint manageable.
Why Choose a 13 Inch DTF Printer?
- Good for beginners and startups.
- Smaller footprint for home or small shop setups.
- Lower entry point than larger production systems.
- Great for custom shirts, small orders, and testing demand.
- Works well for side hustles, apparel brands, and local decorators.
When a 13 Inch May Not Be Enough
A 13 inch printer may become limiting if you plan to sell a large amount of gang sheets, run high-volume transfer production, or process large bulk orders every day. If your goal is speed, volume, and wider layouts, a 24 inch printer may be the better long-term investment.
24 Inch DTF Printer: Best for Growth and Profit
A 24 inch DTF printer is built for shops that want more output, wider gang sheets, faster production, and a more commercial workflow. If you are already getting steady orders or want to build a transfer-selling business, the 24 inch setup gives you more room to grow.
The biggest advantage of a 24 inch printer is width. Wider film means more artwork can fit across the roll, larger gang sheets can be produced, and your shop can handle higher daily demand. When paired with an automatic shaker and curing system, a 24 inch DTF printer becomes a true production setup.
Why Choose a 24 Inch DTF Printer?
- Better for high-volume shops.
- Allows larger gang sheet production.
- More efficient for bulk transfer orders.
- Best for growing print shops and serious apparel businesses.
- Pairs well with automatic shaker and curing systems.
When a 24 Inch May Be Too Much
A 24 inch DTF printer may be more machine than you need if you are only testing the market, have limited space, or do not have enough orders yet to keep the printer moving. Bigger equipment can create bigger opportunity, but it also requires stronger maintenance habits, room planning, and production discipline.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | 13 Inch DTF Printer | 24 Inch DTF Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Beginners, startups, small shops, home-based businesses, and lower-volume custom orders. | Growing shops, bulk transfer sellers, commercial decorators, and higher-output production. |
| Space Needed | Smaller footprint and easier to fit into a compact workspace. | Requires more room, especially when paired with an automatic shaker and curing system. |
| Production Output | Good for smaller daily output and custom order workflows. | Better for higher daily production, gang sheets, and larger order volume. |
| Gang Sheet Capability | Can produce smaller gang sheets and standard-size transfer layouts. | Better for wider gang sheets, more artwork per row, and efficient bulk printing. |
| Startup Cost | Typically lower than a full 24 inch production system. | Higher investment, but stronger long-term growth potential. |
| Growth Potential | Great starting point, but may be outgrown as order volume increases. | Better long-term fit for businesses planning to scale. |
Which DTF Printer Should a Beginner Buy?
If you are brand new to DTF printing, the 13 inch printer is often the safer starting point. It gives you a way to learn the workflow, understand maintenance, test your market, build local customers, and start producing transfers without stepping into the largest setup first.
A beginner should focus on learning print quality, file preparation, curing, pressing, cleaning, white ink management, humidity control, and customer order flow. Once you understand the process and your demand grows, upgrading into a 24 inch printer becomes a more strategic move.
When Should You Move Up to a 24 Inch DTF Printer?
You should consider a 24 inch DTF printer when your order volume starts to exceed what a smaller printer can handle, or when your business model depends on gang sheets, bulk transfers, same-day turnaround, or wholesale production.
- You are printing every day.
- You are selling DTF transfers or gang sheets.
- You need more speed and wider print capacity.
- You want to serve other shirt businesses and apparel brands.
- You want to reduce outsourcing and keep more profit in-house.
- You have enough space for a larger printer and shaker setup.
Simple Buying Recommendation
If you are still proving your business model, start with the 13 inch DTF printer. If you already have steady customers, want to sell gang sheets, or plan to build a serious production shop, go with the 24 inch DTF printer.
Do You Need Financing?
If you want to start or grow your DTF business while protecting cash flow, financing may help you get the equipment you need without paying the full amount upfront. South Mid Supply offers access to financing options for eligible printer packages.
Financing is especially useful when you already have demand, a sales plan, or customers waiting. It can help you get the printer, supplies, and setup needed to start producing faster.
DTF Printer Financing Available
Looking to buy a 13 inch or 24 inch DTF printer with financing? Review available options and see what setup makes sense for your business.
Final Decision: 13 Inch or 24 Inch?
Both printers can make money. The right choice depends on where your business is today and where you want it to go. A 13 inch printer is a strong starter machine for smaller shops and beginners. A 24 inch printer is a stronger growth machine for businesses that need production capacity.
The mistake is not choosing the smaller or larger printer. The mistake is buying without a plan. Think about your order volume, space, budget, customer base, supply needs, and growth goals before making your decision.
Shop DTF Printers and Supplies
South Mid Supply carries DTF printers, DTF ink, DTF film, DTF powder, printer parts, and support options for beginners and growing production shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 13 inch DTF printer good for beginners?
Is a 24 inch DTF printer better for production?
Which DTF printer should I buy first?
Can I finance a 13 inch or 24 inch DTF printer?
What supplies do I need with a DTF printer?
Where can I buy DTF printers and supplies?
Ready to Choose Your DTF Printer?
Whether you are starting with a compact 13 inch setup or moving into a 24 inch production system, South Mid Supply can help you compare printer options, supplies, parts, support, and financing.