Cap Platen Features

Components of the GT Cap Platen.

So what do you get when you purchase the GT Cap Platen? Everything you need to be successful in digitally printing on most types of caps. The GT Cap Platen comes with the following items:

GT Cap Platen Base
Large Riser
Small Riser (w/ Center Groove)
GT Cap Platen Base for Brother GT Printers
Large Riser for GT Cap Platen
Small Riser for GT Cap Platen
Height Spacer
Spring Loaded Bill Holders
Accessories Kit
Spacer_Top_Small1
GT Cap Platen Bill Holders
GT Cap Platen Accessory Kit

Easy-to-Use Cap Platen.

As mentioned above, one of the core principals we had from the beginning was to make it as easy as possible to get a curved crown as flat as possible to print on. After 10 months of development and more than 10 different designs, we believe we came up with the best solution. Below is the basic instructions for loading a cap on the GT Cap Platen.

1. Loosen the Platen Locking Lever. Brother GT Platen Adjustment System
2. Using two hands, pull the Adult Platen straight up and out of the Platen Stem. GT Cap Platen for GT-541, GT-782 & GT-3 Printers
3. Insert the center pin of the GT Cap Platen into the Platen Stem. GT Cap Platen for GT-541, GT-782 and GT-3 Printers
4. Move the Platen Height Adjustment Lever to raise / lower the GT Cap Platen to the correct height. GT Cap Platen for GT-541, GT-782 & GT-3 Printers
4. Tighten the Platen Locking Lever. GT Cap Platen for GT-541, GT-782 & GT-3 Printers

 

No Tools Necessary!

No one wants to have to use tools on their GT printer. So we made sure that you would not have to remove anything from your GT printer besides the GT platen. No additional modifications to the GT printer need to be made to mount the GT Cap Platen to it. Because you have the option of using either the Large Riser or the Small Riser, as well as using the Spacer or not, we wanted to make sure that you could do this without have to use any tools to setup the GT Cap Platen. So we created it to allow the two Risers and the Spacer to be inserted on the GT Cap Platen using a basic wing nut.
GT Cap Platen Riser Wing Nuts

Works on Most Caps (Structured & Unstructured Caps).Similar to decorating caps with embroidery, some caps are easier to do compared to others. Unstructured caps (commonly known as relaxed or floppy front caps) are easier to get them to lay flat across the Cap Platen Risers.

Unstructured Cap on GT Cap Platen - GT-541, GT-782 & GT-3 dtg Printers

Because structured caps have rigid backing material designed to make the crown of the cap stand straight up, it can be more challenging to get the crown of the cap to lay flat. In some cases, it will be necessary to lower the GT Cap Platen down more and print using Unidirectional print mode. By printing in Unidirectional print mode, the platen can be lower than usually and still get a detailed print.

GT Cap Platen Unidirectional Print Mode

Faast Return on Investment (ROI).

Digitally printing on caps only makes senses if you are able to make back the cost of the platen – which is called the Return on Investment (ROI). Some GT users have markets that will pay more than $20.00 per a decorated cap. Others might have to sell caps for $12.00 each. Our goal was to make a cap platen that a majority of GT users could invest in and get a quick ROI back on it. Below you find a quick ROI analysis that will show that even with a $20.00 hour employee, the ROI on the GT Cap Platen can be as low as 40 caps.

Costs of the Cap $2.00 to $4.00 (depending on style)
Cost of Ink $0.10 to $0.25 (depending on size and coverage of artwork)
Cost of Labor $0.50 to $1.00 (printing 20 to 40 caps an hour)
Total Costs
$3.10 to $5.25 (per a cap)
Sales Price $12.00 to $15.00 (on the low side)
Total Revenues
$12.00 to $15.00 (per a cap)
Total Profit $8.90 to $9.75
Cost of Platen $350.00
ROI on GT Cap Platen
Less than 40 Caps!

 

Need Additional Information?If you would like additional information on the GT Cap Platen, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions and Gallery pages of our website. You can also find the installation instructions and artwork templates from the Instructions page.

Learn more about the GT Cap Platen

One of the questions that we get regarding the cap platen is what is the best way to cure a printed cap.  The best method depends on the number of caps your company is going to print.  If you only plan on printing a couple caps (under 10) per month, then you will probably be…

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