So I'm using a modified Epson R3000 printer. Its a DTG machine, so it has a conveyer belt feed with a metal platent on it that holds shirts. With a little bit of experience, I saw I could make my own platents, so I rigged together an adapter that skateboards kind of lay on. The biggest issue is that the printer only has a two-dimensional range, so when the board dips away from the print head, the spray diffuses, hence the fuzzy look around the edges. I'm also limited to 17" length so all the graphics have to be basically centered.
Stoked you guys are digging them. Its a learning experience.
Heres a new one
As far as the final product goes, I dont clear coat them. No smears or anything. Once the ink dries (I'm using water based inks and good old Southern California sunlight to dry them) they're no different feeling than any other graphic.
I want to try stripping the shiny varnish off the next run, to see if it bleeds less. Maybe the ink will sink into the wood better, rather than pooling on top.