What is DTG Printing?

If you are considering starting a small business or want to customize some fun t-shirts or clothing, DTG printing is a great option.

While screen printing is the preferred standard for large print shops, DTG is much easier for beginners. It is easier to set up than screen printing, does not require any templates, and is perfect for small batches or one-off personalized items.

Plus, it makes up for the shortcomings of sublimation printing, which cannot print on dark fabrics or 100% cotton without modification. DTF works best for printing on 100% cotton shirts and can print on any color of fabric using white ink.

All in all, it is a great option for a home business or anyone just starting out in the clothing customization business.

When it comes to direct-to-garment printing, you have a wide variety of materials to choose from for printing.

Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and hemp are the best choices. Generally speaking, any flat, natural textile that fits on the print plate and is of reasonable thickness will print well. However, you can't print on polyester because polyester repels water-based DTG inks.

Some common items that can be printed with a DTG printer include:

- T-shirts

- Sweatshirts

- Onesies and baby clothes

- Pants

- Underwear

- Socks

- Tote bags

- And more!

Have you ever wondered why fabrics need to be pre-treated before printing? It's like applying a coat of primer before painting a wall. Pre-treating helps ink adhere better - especially white ink, which can bleed into the fabric if left untreated.

It also speeds up drying time and prevents a second coat of color from smudging the white ink.

But that's not all! Pre-treating allows the fabric to still feel soft after the ink is applied, and it creates a smoother surface because it contains a glue that flattens the fibers.

Now, some printers use inks that don't require pre-treating, so be sure to check your printer's instructions.

This is a simple step, but it will have a big impact on the end result, so don't skip it! Before you start printing, you'll need to do a few things to pretreat your garment. Some printers have an automatic pretreat feature, which is very convenient.

But if yours doesn't, don't worry - it's still very easy to do it yourself. Just make sure you pretreat in a well-ventilated area and take appropriate precautions (wear gloves and a respirator at the very least) to protect yourself from the chemicals.

It's also a good idea to iron your garment before pretreating to remove any wrinkles and ensure the liquid is absorbed evenly.

Using a continuous sprayer, spray the liquid evenly over the fabric until the entire surface is covered. Your specific brand of pretreat will tell you how many milliliters you need to use based on the size of your garment.

This step isn't complicated, but you do need to be careful to line up your garment correctly.

First, you'll need to place your garment in the center of the platen (i.e., the printing surface). Make sure your garment is straight and centered where you want it to print.

Next, secure your garment with the fabric hoop attached to your printer. This will help keep the garment in place during printing.

Finally, you may need to adjust the height of the platen to ensure it's at the correct level for printing.

The good news is that some DTG printers can automatically adjust the height for you, making the whole process a breeze.

Now that you have your garment loaded into your DTG printer, it's time to print! Send your image to the printer and watch as it layers white and then color to complete your design.

You'll need RIP software (or Raster Image Processor) to prepare your image for printing, but many printers already come with it.

The final step in making your custom garment is to cure the ink. Curing simply means making the ink durable enough to withstand washing and everyday use.

It's like baking a cake - you can't just mix up the batter and then leave it to dry. The heat from the oven sets the ingredients and makes the cake solid.

Similarly, using a heat press or dryer to cure your garment at the proper temperature and time will ensure that your design will look beautiful for a long time to come.

(When using a heat press, always place a piece of parchment paper to prevent the ink from smudging.)

As for how long and at what temperature to cure your garment, it's best to check the instructions for your printer and ink for details.

DTG-printed items are extremely durable and can last a long time if they are properly cared for.

How do you keep them looking their best?

First, always wash gently, and don't use fabric softeners or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the print. Bleach and abrasive cleaners are also a big no-no, so avoid them.

When ironing, avoid pressing directly on the patterned area to prevent any unwanted marks or damage.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your DTG-printed items stay vibrant and fresh for a long time.

There is a lot of potential in the custom T-shirt and apparel industry right now.

Just look at the statistics: the global T-shirt market is expected to reach nearly $300 billion by 2025, while the custom T-shirt printing market is expected to reach $39 billion by 2023.

Why is there such a surge? According to market research firms, people love to express themselves with unique, personalized items, businesses are getting creative with custom merchandise and branded merchandise, and fans of all kinds are showing their support for their favorite shows, artists, and sports teams through personalized apparel.

Yes, screen printing may still be the king of T-shirt printing, but DTG is expected to grow by 16% by 2030. The potential and demand are huge! If you are willing to invest in equipment and materials, the world of DTG printing is open for you to explore.

DTG printing has come a long way and is only getting better. If you are considering starting a DTG printing business at home, welcome to contact us and browse our range of DTG printers and inks. They are easy to use and the possibilities are endless!

FCOLOR is a well-known custom printers and compatible inks supplier with more than ten years of industry experience, providing DTG printers and inks, dye inks, pigment inks, sublimation inks, eco-solvent inks, film inks, DTF printer inks and many other high-quality inks. The comprehensive product range ensures that the diverse printing needs of all walks of life are met.

Suitable for both small and large operations, our advanced printing solutions cater to businesses of all sizes. Whether you require a custom ink formulation to achieve specific color profiles and print results, or a custom printing system tailored to your unique requirements, our experienced team is committed to providing innovative and efficient solutions.

At FCOLOR, we are always committed to ensuring quality and customer satisfaction. We use the latest technology and the finest raw materials to ensure that our products meet the highest standards. Our rigorous quality control process ensures that every batch of ink delivers consistent, high-performance results. Our team of experts is always available to provide technical support and advice to ensure that our customers receive the best possible print results.