Things You Should Know About DTG Printing

May 5, 2025

If you are a small business and looking to sell branded merchandise, the direct to garment printing is the best decorating way to get the high quality, colorful artworks on the t-shirts easily and quickly.

If you are looking to make custom t-shirts or other clothes, you may have heard about the DTG printing. However you might be thinking, what is it, and why is it so popular in this industry? This guide is about what DTG printing is, how it works, and why it is a great choice for printing your most wanted designs on clothes. Let’s discuss the things you should know about DTG printing.

Things You Should Know About DTG Printing

What is DTG Printing?

DTG is known as Direct-to-Garment printing. It is a method that uses a special printer for printing the designs directly on the fabric. In contrast to other methods like screen printing, DTG does not need screens or stencils. Rather, the printer sprays ink directly onto the fabric, like a regular printer sprays ink onto paper.

The ink that is used in DTG printing is water-based and which soaks into the fabric. This gives the print feel soft, comfortable and eye-catching. DTG printing is great for making detailed, colorful designs, making it an in demand choice for custom t-shirts.

How Does The DTG Printing Work?

Here’s how direct-to-garment printing works:

Create a Design: You have to make or choose a design. Whether it can be a logo, picture, or any graphic text or picture. This design is then finalized on the computer.
Preparing the Shirt: Then a blank shirt is placed on the printer. If the shirt is dark, it is sprayed with a special liquid to help the design stick better.
Printing the Design: After that the DTG printer sprays the ink directly onto the fabric to print the desired design, carefully adding the colors to make the design look perfect.
Drying the Ink: After printing the design on the shirt, the shirt is then heated to make sure that the ink stays in place and doesn’t wash out to give a perfect design.

This process is quick and easy, which makes the DTG printing custom shirts quickly.

Benefits of DTG Printing

DTG printing has a lot of good factors. Below are the top reasons that people like about it:

No Setup Costs: DTG printing does not need any screens or stencils. That means there is no setup fees which makes it perfect for small orders.
High-Quality Prints: DTG printing is used to make detailed designs. It can be used to print colorful pictures, logos, and artwork. Whether you want to print a simple logo or a complicated design, DTG can do it all with ease.
Soft Feel: The ink that is used in DTG printing is soaked into the fabric, giving the print a soft feel. It doesn’t sit on top of the fabric like some other printing methods. This makes the shirt comfortable to wear.
Eco-Friendly: Many DTG printers use water-based ink, which is better for the environment than the inks used in some other printing methods. Since there are no screens or stencils, there’s also less waste.
Fast Turnaround: DTG printing is quick. Once the design is ready, the printing process is fast, and it doesn’t take long for the ink to dry. This makes DTG a good choice if you need custom shirts in a hurry.

What Can You Print With DTG?

The fabric best for DTG printing is cotton or cotton-blend fabrics. The ink sticks best to natural fibers, which is why most shirts printed with DTG are made of cotton. However, with the right treatment, DTG can also be used on other fabrics, like polyester, though the print may not be as bright or long-lasting.

DTG printing isn’t just for t-shirts. You can also print on other items like hoodies, sweatshirts, and tote bags. Some printers can even print on things like pillowcases and face masks.

DTG vs. Other Printing Methods

DTG printing is a great choice for many reasons, but it’s not always the best option for every job. Here’s how it compares to other methods:

Screen Printing: Screen printing is good for large orders with simple designs. It’s cheaper for big batches but takes longer to set up. DTG is better for smaller orders or designs with lots of colors.
Heat Transfer Printing: Heat transfer printing uses special paper to put designs on clothes. It’s good for small orders, but the prints can feel stiff and may not last as long as DTG prints.
Sublimation: Sublimation printing works by turning ink into gas and transferring it to fabric. It works best on polyester but isn’t good for cotton. DTG can print on both cotton and synthetic fabrics, making it more flexible.

DTG Printing on Shirts

DTG printing is especially popular for custom t-shirts. It allows you to print full-color designs with lots of details. Whether you want to print a logo, a photo, or a detailed artwork, DTG printing gives you high-quality results.

One of the best things about DTG printing on shirts is how soft the print feels. Since the ink soaks into the fabric, the shirt stays comfortable to wear. This makes it a great choice for custom shirts you’ll want to wear again and again.

Conclusion

DTG printing is a great way to create custom, high-quality shirts. It’s quick, easy, and affordable for small orders. Whether you need one shirt or a small batch, DTG printing can help you create the perfect design. If you want a printing method that delivers great results with little hassle, DTG printing is a great choice.