Whether you need a few shirts for your business or want to offer your customers customized gifts, DTG printing is the way to go. This newer printing method is popular due to its high-quality and detailed results. DTG printing works best on 100% ring-spun cotton shirts. This material has a smoother surface and prints much better than standard combed cotton.
1. It’s Easy
Digital printing is a fast and easy way to create high-quality garments for your business. It also produces a much more comprehensive range of colors, tones, and effects than traditional screen printing. It’s perfect for one-off designs and small production runs. The DTG printing method sprays water-based ink directly onto the fabric of your choice.
A pre-treatment solution is then applied to the fabric to help the ink bond with the fibers. The print then dries quickly. Commercial DTG printers are versatile enough to produce any design you can dream up and handle light and dark color prints on natural and synthetic fabrics.
2. It’s Fast
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing lets you print high-quality, colorful designs directly on t-shirts and other apparel. It’s an easy, three-step process requiring only a computer with free DTG software to convert the design to a printable file.
So what is DTG printing? Digital printing uses water-based inks sprayed onto apparel using modified inkjet printer technology. It’s fast, cost-effective, and perfect for small-quantity orders.
In contrast, screen printing requires a mesh stencil for each color and element in your design. It also prints on dark garments, requiring a separate screen for white inks to avoid bleaching the fabric underneath.
3. It’s Durable
Direct-to-garment printing is one of the most durable print methods available. It can withstand hundreds of washes without losing color or texture, so it’s perfect for t-shirts and other clothing items you plan to wear frequently. Before spraying the cloth with water-based ink in this digital printing technique, a special pre-treatment is used to aid the ink’s connection with the fabric.
It allows it to print high-resolution designs that can easily be reproduced on light or dark garments. Because there is less setup time, DTG can be used for smaller production runs and is more affordable than screen printing. However, there are better choices for large-scale orders or complex designs that require a lot of detail. It can also be pixelated on thin fabrics like cotton blends.
4. It’s Affordable
DTG printers allow you to print complex, photo-realistic images on various fabric and textile substrates. Unlike heat transfer, sublimation, or screen printing, DTG prints directly onto the fabric of your choice using digital inkjet technology.
It lets you quickly print any image on a soft, high-quality custom garment with millions of colors. DTG printing is also ideal for one-offs and small production runs because there are no setup fees. It’s also an excellent option for complicated designs and patterns, especially if you need fine detail.
The inks attach to the fabric’s fibers, creating a beautiful hand and feel. The prints are vibrant and long-lasting compared to other printing methods. It makes DTG the perfect solution for t-shirt and apparel production.
5. It’s Versatile
DTG printing is incredibly versatile and works well on many garments. DTG printing is the way to go, whether you’re a designer who needs to create a premium line of distinctive apparel for your brand or a small company owner who wants to offer personalized clothing to your customers or staff.
With this type of printing, a digital file is uploaded into the printer, and the fabric fibers then absorb the inks- it’s basically like using your home printer, but on garments! Commercial DTG printers come equipped with white inks for a base layer, ensuring colors remain vibrant and true to color.
This printing method is excellent for short production runs and has no order minimums, which makes it perfect for those who require a lot of flexibility in their production schedule. It also offers greater detail than screen printing, making it ideal for intricate designs.
