What's DTG Print?

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing method where ink is sprayed directly onto textiles and garments, most commonly used for t-shirts. Think of it like a regular inkjet printer, but instead of printing on paper, it prints directly onto fabric.

Here's a breakdown of what DTG printing entails:

The Process:

  1. Design Preparation: A digital design is created using graphic design software.
  2. Pre-treatment: For darker garments and sometimes for white ink on lighter garments, a pre-treatment solution is applied to the fabric. This helps the ink bond to the fibers and improves vibrancy and washability.
  3. Printing: The garment is placed on a platen (a holding platform) in the DTG printer. The printer then sprays water-based inks directly onto the fabric according to the digital design. DTG printers use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) inks, and often white ink as well, especially for printing on dark-colored garments to provide a base for the other colors.
  4. Curing: After printing, the garment is heat-pressed or run through a conveyor dryer to cure the inks. This process sets the ink into the fabric fibers, making the print durable and washable.

Key Characteristics and Advantages of DTG Printing:

  • High Detail and Full Color: DTG can reproduce intricate designs with a wide range of colors, including gradients and photographic images, with high resolution.
  • No Minimum Orders: Unlike screen printing, which often requires larger production runs to be cost-effective due to setup costs (creating screens), DTG is ideal for small orders, even single items.
  • Quick Turnaround for Small Orders: With minimal setup, DTG printing can be faster for small quantities compared to screen printing.
  • Soft Hand Feel: The water-based inks soak into the fabric, resulting in a softer print that doesn't feel heavy or plastic-like on the garment.
  • Eco-Friendly (Generally): DTG uses water-based inks, which are generally considered more environmentally friendly than the plastisol inks used in traditional screen printing. It also produces less waste in terms of setup materials.
  • Good for Complex Designs: DTG excels at printing designs with many colors or intricate details that would be costly or impossible with screen printing.

Disadvantages of DTG Printing:

  • Best on Cotton: DTG typically works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blend fabrics. Results on polyester and other synthetics can be less vibrant and durable.
  • Slower for Large Orders: For very large production runs, screen printing is generally faster and more cost-effective due to economies of scale.
  • Higher Ink Costs for Large Prints: For designs with large print areas and high ink coverage, the cost per garment can be higher compared to screen printing.
  • Pre-treatment Can Be Necessary: The pre-treatment process adds an extra step and cost, especially for dark garments. If not done correctly, it can affect the print quality.
  • Durability Can Vary: While generally durable, the longevity of a DTG print can sometimes be less than a screen-printed design, especially with improper curing or on non-cotton fabrics.
  • Limited Placement Options: Standard DTG printers typically print on flat areas like the front or back of a garment, with fewer options for printing on sleeves, collars, or seams compared to other methods.

In summary, DTG printing is a versatile and increasingly popular method for creating high-quality, full-color custom apparel, especially for small to medium-sized orders and designs with intricate details.