DirecttoGarment

Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is a textile printing method that uses inkjet technology to apply water-based inks directly onto garments, enabling vibrant, full-color designs with photographic detail. It is especially popular for on-demand and small-batch production because there is little setup compared with screen printing.

How it works: A blank garment is pre-treated to improve ink adhesion and color vibrancy, then loaded into a DTG printer. Inks are typically CMYK and can include white for opacity on dark fabrics. The printer deposits ink directly onto the fabric, and a heat cure or conveyor dryer sets the inks.

Materials and compatibility: DTG works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends, with polyester blends requiring special pretreatments or alternative processes. Dark fabrics require white underbase; pretreatment formulations vary by fabric and ink system. Durability depends on wash care and ink chemistry.

Advantages and limitations: Advantages include no screens, minimal setup, high color fidelity, and soft hand feel. Limitations include higher costs for large runs, slower throughput than screen printing for long runs, and varying durability, particularly with white inks and on non-cotton fabrics.

History and market: Emerged in the 2000s with advances in water-based inks and print heads. Major suppliers include Epson, Brother, and Kornit, among others. It is widely used by print shops offering on-demand apparel and fan merchandise.

Applications and sustainability: Used for T-shirts, hoodies, bags, and other textiles. Inks are typically water-based and considered more environmentally friendly than some plastisol alternatives, though pretreatment chemicals require handling and disposal.