Direct to Garment Printing
A Great Option for Smaller Orders or Super Complex Designs!
How Does Direct to Garment Printing Work?
The easiest way to explain Direct to Garment (a.k.a. DTG) printing is that it’s a bit like printing on paper but onto clothing instead. Just like your desktop printer at home, the ink is placed directly on the fabric to create the finished product. Sounds easy, right? Kinda, but there is still a bit of a process to it, involving pre-treatment, drying and curing.
First, we pre-treat the garments to ensure the ink will lay down with full, vibrant colors. Then, we dry the garment, press to lay the fibres down nice and flat. Now it’s time to print!
Once printed, the garment is carefully removed from the printer and cured with heat resulting in a durable, lasting print that feels smooth to the touch. Because of the type of ink used, the texture of the print is exceptionally soft and lightweight.
The ability to print photo-realistic images and fine details makes DTG printing ideal for complex designs that feature gradients or many different colors. Since the printing process is digital, there’s no need for extensive setup either, making this a great option for small quantities.
DTG printing works best on 100% cotton garments but is also suitable for cotton blends. The ink used in Direct to Garment printing is water based, so synthetic fabrics are not recommended as they are generally water repellent.
Is Direct to Garment a Good Fit?
Pros
- No setup preparation (like films or meshes)
- Simple and efficient process
- Allows one-offs
- Perfect for small-to-medium orders
- Long-lasting prints
- High-quality results and precision for complex designs
- Soft to the touch and breathable
- Nearly no color limitations with generally vibrant outcomes
Cons
- Not a cost-effective option for large orders with the same design
- Doesn’t work well with non-cotton fabrics
This technique is recommended for smaller orders or where full color spectrums are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have more questions? Shoot us an email and we'll do our best to assist!
Can you print full color photographs onto a shirt?
You bet! Full color prints are our specialty!
Are DTG printed shirts washable?
Of course! Our prints receive the proper pre-treatment and curing times so they will hold up to multiple washes, but no fabric softener please!
How long does it take to print my order?
Timelines do vary, depending on quantity, complexity and time of year. Generally, turnaround time is only a few business days. During peak printing season, we may need a bit more time.
Can I order just one shirt?
Sure! Low quantity orders are welcome, but higher quantities are generally a better price point. We offer price breaks on larger numbers.
Can I send in my own design?
Absolutely! We prefer vector artwork for client submitted graphics, but can sometimes work with other formats too.
Can you design a custom print for me?
You bet! We’d be more than happy to draw up something super cool for your next batch of garments!