DTG
What is DTG Printing?
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing—also known as digital garment printing—is one of the most advanced and efficient methods for decorating apparel. Ideal for printing highly detailed, colorful designs, DTG is perfect for small orders, on-demand printing, and complex graphics with gradients or photographic elements.
Unlike screen printing, which requires a different screen for each color, DTG printing uses specialized inkjet technology to print full-color images directly onto fabric—no transfers, vinyl, or sublimation needed. This direct process reduces setup time and makes DTG a fast, affordable solution for custom t-shirts and other garments.
Advantages of DTG Over Screen Printing
- No setup fees for multicolor jobs
- Vibrant, photo-quality prints
- Print one shirt or one thousand—no minimums
- Quick turnaround times
- Ideal for eCommerce and print-on-demand fulfillment
With DTG, you can print a full-color design (even a photograph) on a single shirt. By contrast, traditional screen printing would cost significantly more for a similar design due to setup and color separation costs.
What DTG Printing Can and Cannot Do
While DTG is incredibly versatile, there are some limitations to keep in mind:
- Monitors display a wider color range than printers can reproduce, so final printed colors may differ slightly from your screen.
- DTG printers use CMYK ink only—they do not support specialty inks like neon, glitter, metallic, or glow-in-the-dark.
- Large solid blocks of color can appear inconsistent—DTG excels at intricate, detailed artwork, not heavy ink coverage.
Pro Tip: You can still simulate a metallic look with smart design choices—our Epson DTG printers handle this well when the artwork is optimized correctly.
Best Garments for DTG Printing
DTG produces the best results on 100% combed ringspun cotton garments. These shirts are smooth, consistent, and absorb ink beautifully.
Recommended Fabrics:
- 100% ringspun cotton (best choice)
- Cotton/poly blends (acceptable but less vibrant)
- Garment/pigment-dyed shirts (not recommended due to print variability)
- 100% polyester (possible but poor quality—use DTF instead)
Garment-dyed fabrics often contain loose pigments that interfere with ink adhesion and cause print inconsistencies. We strongly advise against DTG on these materials unless you understand and accept the risks.
DTG Artwork Guidelines
To get the best results from DTG printing, follow these guidelines when preparing your artwork:
File Setup:
- Design your artwork at actual print size
- Use transparent backgrounds (no white boxes around designs)
- Image size ≠ canvas size: Make sure your artwork fills the space it’s intended to cover
Example: An 8.5” x 11” canvas with a 3” logo in the center will print a 3” design, not 8.5” x 11”.
Color Modes:
- Use either CMYK or RGB, but don’t mix modes in the same file
- Avoid Pantone/Spot colors—DTG printers cannot match them
- Improper file setup = no reprints or refunds
If you’re unsure about your design, we highly recommend working with a professional graphic designer.
Design Tips for DTG Printing
- For cotton/poly blends, use distressed effects to create a vintage look and reduce the appearance of print flaws
- Avoid solid fills—break up large areas of ink with marbling, gradients, textures, or filters
- Take advantage of DTG’s ability to handle fine lines, small text, and photo-realistic designs
Unlike screen printing or vinyl, DTG does not require simplified artwork, so you can let your creativity shine.
DTG Garment Care Instructions
To keep your DTG-printed apparel looking great:
- Wait 24 hours before washing
- Wash inside out in cold water
- Hang dry or tumble dry on low/no heat
- Never iron directly over the printed design
- Avoid bleach or harsh detergents
When properly cared for, DTG prints can last through 40+ washes while maintaining color and vibrancy.
DTG vs DTF – Which is Better?
- Choose DTG for 100% cotton shirts and photo-quality, short-run prints
- Choose DTF for polyester, blends, and heat-sensitive materials, or if you want to pre-print and store transfers
Final Thoughts on Direct-to-Garment Printing
Whether you’re starting a custom t-shirt brand, running a print-on-demand store, or need a one-off graphic tee, DTG printing offers unmatched flexibility, speed, and print quality. When used with the right garments and artwork, DTG can bring any creative idea to life—beautifully and affordably.
Artwork Setup Files:
For best results and to avoid artwork charges, artwork should come in the following format:
- Vectored files are preferred. Other acceptable options are EPS, PNG, PDF, & JPG (but only for photos since .jpg file have white backgrounds).
- Color Mode set to RGB or CMYK. Do not use Pantone/PMS/Spot colors.
- A transparent background is required. Anything that appears in your image on screen (including white backgrounds) will print.
- 300 dpi image sized to be the actual print size you want on the shirt.
- If using Photoshop, trim away the excess background (Image>Trim). Your design should fill up the canvas. (Don’t send a 3″ x 3″ image on a 12″ x 10″ art board).
- Items downloaded from the internet (unless purchased from artwork sites) are generally only 72 dpi-low resolution files, and in most cases, illegal to reproduce. If you don’t have professional graphic design software, you can hire one, or have us create something for you.
NOTICE: Any files that come in another format will need to be converted to PNG format. If not designed correctly, this could change the color profiles and will result in artwork charges. Following the step-by-step instructions in the PDFs is critical for good results.
Interested in DTG?
Contact us below with the apparel & quantity you would like and upload the artwork you want produced. Let us know you're interested in the DTG decoration method and we will provide you with a free quote. Browse our catalogs to view some of the items we can provide for you, but keep in mind we have access to thousands of products that are not listed in these catalogs. You can supply your own apparel instead, just make sure it is new and correctly tagged.