Direct To Garment Printing
DTG or direct to garment printing is a great way to start your apparel brand or next custom t-shirt. Here at Bulk Apparel we got the pro printing tips!
Summary:
– DTG printing excels at small batch, high detail, multi color artwork.
– Cotton fabrics provide optimal ink absorption and print vibrancy.
– Minimal setup makes DTG suitable for on demand apparel production.
Pantone Color Trends Spring/Summer 2023
PROCESS
STEP 1: READY YOUR WHOLESALE BLANK SHIRT
You will usually want to prepare your blank t-shirt or garment with a pre-treatment solution. Essentially this is a garment primer used to create strong bonds between the ink and the fabric. While this is a necessary step for all dark colored apparel, this can be optional for light or white tees and apparel. The printer you have will determine whether this primer is applied by hand or by the printer itself.
STEP 2: START PRINTING
If you are familiar with t-shirt and apparel printing you will undoubtedly know what a platen is. But for the newbies, the platen is simply a plate that keeps the garment flat and smooth to ensure the best quality print. Start by loading your artwork into the RIP software which then will convert it into a CMYK file. What this software does is rip the design into a uni-directional 1,200 x 600 dpi file. Then the file is sent to the printer, it is really that easy.
The only difference between DTG printing on light vs dark apparel is the printer will lay down a white underbase first on dark fabric.
STEP 3: CURE THE INKS
After you have successfully printed the image on your best basic tee, you will need to cure the ink or inks. This is a necessary step so that your logo or custom artwork is a durable and permanent image.
Curing here just means heating, which commonly is done with a heat press. But you can also use a conveyor oven (dryer) or a special drawer-based cabinet oven (dryer) as well. If using a heat press though, don’t forget to place a piece of parchment paper in between to protect the printed image. Heat times will depend on the DTG printer you have as well as the type of garment you are printing on(100% cotton, 50/50 cotton/poly etc.) The cure can also be affected by the humidity in the fabric.
FAQ
What types of fabrics are best for DTG printing?
Cotton and high cotton blend garments are best for DTG printing because natural fibers absorb water based inks effectively. One hundred percent cotton tshirts typically produce the most vibrant and accurate color results.
How does direct to garment printing work?
Direct to garment printing works by pre treating the garment, loading it into a DTG printer, and digitally applying ink to the fabric surface. The printed shirt is then heat cured to set the ink and improve durability.
Is DTG printing durable after washing?
DTG printing is durable when properly cured and washed according to care instructions. Using quality garments and correct heat setting improves print longevity.
Is direct to garment printing cost effective for small businesses?
Direct to garment printing can be cost effective for small businesses because it requires minimal setup and supports for print on demand production. It eliminates the need for screens and large inventory commitments.
Can direct to garment printing handle detailed artwork?
Direct to garment printing can handle detailed artwork, gradients, and photographic images because it uses digital file processing similar to paper printing. This allows high resolution graphics with multiple colors.
