Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

Full-color, photographic quality printing with no minimum orders. Perfect for complex designs, gradients, and on-demand personalization.

What is DTG Printing?

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing method that works like an inkjet printer for t-shirts. It sprays water-based ink directly onto fabric, allowing for unlimited colors and photographic detail with no setup fees or minimum orders.

No Minimums

Order just one shirt

Unlimited Colors

Full-color spectrum available

Photo Quality

Prints complex images perfectly

Soft Hand Feel

Ink absorbs into fabric

DTG is Perfect For

On-Demand Printing

  • • E-commerce stores
  • • Print-on-demand services
  • • Custom one-offs
  • • Test designs before bulk orders

Complex Designs

  • • Photographic images
  • • Gradients and shadows
  • • Detailed artwork
  • • Multi-color graphics

Personalization

  • • Individual names/numbers
  • • Custom photo gifts
  • • Variable data printing
  • • Unique designs per item

Small Batches

  • • Limited edition drops
  • • Special events
  • • Prototypes and samples
  • • Boutique collections

The DTG Printing Process

  1. 1

    Pre-Treatment

    Dark garments are treated with a special solution to help ink adhere

  2. 2

    Digital Preparation

    Your design is prepared and sent directly to the printer

  3. 3

    Printing

    Water-based ink is sprayed directly onto the garment

  4. 4

    Heat Curing

    The printed garment is heat-pressed or conveyor dried

DTG Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • • No minimum order requirements
  • • Unlimited color options
  • • No setup fees or screens
  • • Photographic quality possible
  • • Soft hand feel on fabric
  • • Quick turnaround time
  • • Eco-friendly water-based inks

Limitations

  • • Higher per-unit cost for bulk
  • • Works best on 100% cotton
  • • Limited to light-colored garments*
  • • Not ideal for athletic wear
  • • Slower than screen printing
  • • May fade faster than screen print

*White ink available for dark garments

DTG Quick Facts

Minimum Order
1 piece
Setup Cost
None
Print Time
2-5 minutes per shirt
Best Fabrics
100% cotton, cotton blends
Print Area
Up to 16" x 20"

Design Requirements

  • 300 DPI resolution minimum
  • RGB color mode preferred
  • PNG format with transparency
  • No color limitations
  • Photographic images welcome

Cost Comparison

Typical pricing per shirt (design + printing):

1-10 pieces$15-25 each
11-50 pieces$12-20 each
50+ pieces$10-15 each

DTLA Print DTG Services

No minimums • Same-day rush • Premium cotton garments • Full-color printing

Find DTG Printers

Connect with DTG printing services for your on-demand printing needs.

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DTG Printing FAQs

How does DTG compare to screen printing for quality?

DTG excels at photographic and complex multi-color designs, while screen printing produces more vibrant solid colors. DTG has a softer hand feel, but screen printing is generally more durable for heavy wear.

Can DTG print on dark-colored shirts?

Yes! DTG printers use white ink as a base layer on dark garments. However, this requires pre-treatment and additional printing time, making dark garment printing more expensive.

How long do DTG prints last?

With proper care (washing inside out in cold water, tumble dry low), DTG prints can last 50+ washes. The longevity depends on garment quality, ink quality, and proper curing.

Is DTG printing eco-friendly?

DTG is one of the most eco-friendly printing methods. It uses water-based inks, produces minimal waste, requires no screens or chemicals, and enables on-demand production to reduce overstock.