Direct To Garment (DTG)

Direct to Garment (DTG) is in simple terms a big printer, for clothing. The DTG printer takes a digital image or photo and prints it directly onto your apparel using the latest printing technology and the highest quality inks.

The first step in the process is a pre-treatment applied directly to the apparel to ensure that the ink adheres properly. After the pre-treatment has dried the apparel is placed in the machine for printing. A few minutes later the shirt is ready to be heat pressed to cure the ink.

Our team will work with you and your design to ensure a great quality finished product.

With DTG time and labour is significantly less than traditional printing methods.  We can easily print full colour prints with very high levels of detail at a fraction of the ink. This makes DTG a great choice for low volume orders that require several colours and great amounts of detail.

Our in-house printer features the most up-to-date technology available. DTG can also be used for a quick turn around on those special custom t-shirts.

Apparel options are somewhat limited for DTG printing. It’s designed to work on 100% cotton apparel or blends with 60% cotton or more. Colour matching is very difficult and can’t always deliver a 100% match. DTG is best suited for short runs or single garments as it only prints a single garment at a time. The size of the image on the apparel is limited to the size of the t-shirt carrier.

Artwork can also be a challenge. With screen printing even poor artwork can produce some great results, with DTG it’s all about the quality of the image, poor quality image makes for a poor quality t-shirt. DTG also has somewhat limited locations for printing and can only be used for certain types of apparel.

We have many special attachments that allow us to print on different sizes of apparel and in many different locations so we can create the custom piece you are looking for. Contact us today to discuss your project.

You’ve got your new custom printed apparel & you love it so much you want it to last a long
time. Here’s our recommended garment care instructions to prolong the life of your printed
apparel.

We recommend turning the garment inside out and washing on cold cycle using a mild
detergent and no fabric softener. Heat can cause fading & shrinkage of the garment & will
degrade the print faster. We also recommend:

– Do not dry clean.
– Hanging to dry
– Wash with like colors/materials.
– Do not bleach.
– Do not iron the print.

By following these instructions, you should be able to enjoy your custom apparel for years to
come.

High-Quality Custom Apparel Printing With Exceptional Detail

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is an advanced digital printing method that applies water-based textile inks directly onto the fibres of a garment. Unlike traditional printing methods, DTG allows for highly detailed, full-colour designs without the need for screens or lengthy setup processes.

DTG printing is ideal for custom apparel, small production runs, personalized garments,
and artwork featuring photographs, gradients, and intricate details.

How DTG Printing Works

1

Artwork Preparation

The process begins with a digital design file. Artwork is prepared using professional
design software and optimized for garment printing.

For best results, designs should include:

  • High-resolution images, with 150–300 DPI recommended
  • Transparent backgrounds when required
  • Proper sizing for the intended print area
  • Colour adjustments for accurate reproduction

DTG is especially effective for:

  • Photographic images
  • Detailed illustrations
  • Multi-colour artwork
  • Custom personalized designs
2

Garment Preparation

The garment is carefully prepared before printing to help achieve the best
possible result.

  • Selecting a suitable garment and fabric
  • Removing wrinkles and excess moisture
  • Applying pretreatment when required
Why fabric matters

 

DTG generally produces its best results on high-quality cotton garments because
water-based ink bonds effectively with natural fibres. Cotton-rich blends and
specially prepared fabrics may also be suitable.

3

Pretreatment Application

Pretreatment is an important part of the DTG process, particularly when printing
on dark-coloured garments.

Pretreatment helps to:

  • Improve ink adhesion
  • Enhance colour brightness
  • Create a stable printing surface
  • Improve print durability

Pretreatment is applied evenly to the print area and dried before printing begins.

4

Digital Printing

The prepared garment is placed onto the DTG printer platen and carefully positioned.
The printer then applies microscopic droplets of textile ink directly onto the fabric.

Dark garments typically require:

 

  1. A white ink base layer
  2. Full-colour CMYK printing
  3. Additional ink passes when needed for enhanced colour density

This process allows for smooth colour transitions, fine details, subtle shading,
and a relatively soft print feel.

5

Curing the Print

After printing, the garment is heat cured to permanently bond the ink to the fabric.

Proper curing helps provide:

  • Improved wash durability
  • Long-lasting colour quality
  • A professional finished appearance

Curing temperatures and times are carefully controlled based on the garment,
ink system, and equipment being used.

Equipment Used for DTG Printing

DTG Printer

A specialized textile printer applies water-based garment inks directly onto apparel.

Pretreatment Equipment

Used to apply a consistent pretreatment layer before printing.

  • Manual spray systems
  • Automatic pretreatment machines

Curing Equipment

Used to heat-set the finished print.

  • Heat presses
  • Conveyor dryers
  • Professional curing systems

Design & Printing Software

  • Artwork preparation
  • Colour management
  • Print control
  • Production workflow management

Recommended Garments for DTG Printing

100% Cotton
Excellent ink absorption and print quality
Premium Cotton
Smooth surfaces help reproduce fine detail
Cotton-Rich Blends
Suitable for many DTG applications

For best results, garments should be:

  • Clean and lint-free
  • Pre-shrunk when possible
  • Smooth and consistent in texture

Benefits of DTG Printing

Exceptional Detail

Sharp artwork, subtle shading, gradients, and vibrant full-colour images.

Ideal for Small Orders

No screens are required, making DTG well suited for one-offs and short runs.

Soft Print Feel

Water-based inks absorb into the fibres, helping create a softer finished print.

Full-Colour Flexibility

Complex artwork can use many colours without separate screens for each colour.

DTG Printing Applications

  • Custom T-shirts
  • Hoodies and sweatshirts
  • Brand merchandise
  • Event apparel
  • Personalized gifts
  • Artist collections
  • Small business apparel lines

DTG Printing Considerations

  • Production can be slower than some high-volume printing methods.
  • Cotton garments generally provide the best results.
  • Dark garments require additional preparation and white ink.
  • DTG equipment requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
Planning a large order?

 

For very large production runs featuring simple artwork and only a few colours,
traditional screen printing may be the more economical option.

Our DTG Printing Process

Design Preparation
Garment Selection
Pretreatment
Digital Printing
Heat Curing
Quality Inspection
Finished Product

Every step is carefully managed to help ensure vibrant colours, sharp details,
consistent quality, and durable finished garments.

Bring Your Designs to Life With DTG Printing

Whether you need a single custom shirt or a small collection of branded apparel,
DTG printing provides professional-quality results with the flexibility to reproduce
unique, colourful, and highly detailed designs.

Not sure if DTG is right for your project?
Our team can review your artwork, garment choice, and order quantity and recommend
the printing method that will produce the best result.

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