Introduction to Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing

DTG, or Direct to Garment, is a newly developed printing method of printing directly on garments using high-specification inkjet printers. What is "DTG"? "DTG" is short for "Direct to Garment," a type of printing process to print photos with high image quality, complete color, high resolution.

So what is DTG printing and why is everybody so crazy about it in 2025? While stencil screen printing or set-up in bulk, DTG does not, hence becoming affordable to single orders as well as customized prints. With single wear being in the trend, DTG printing has also become the favorite solution to businesses as well as solo creators.

This direct-to-garment technology offers top-grade-waterlogue prints, eco-friendly green water-based ink, and convenient digital processing—it's the best for print-on-demand companies. You're a fashion business or an individual who is a handmade entrepreneur—studying DTG printing will save you from the revolution of customized garment markets.

History and Development of DTG Printing Technology

History and development of direct-to-garment (DTG) printing began in the late 1990s when digital technology began to transform the garment printing technology industry. The first direct print to garment machine was a reaction to the traditional screen printing method, which provided increased independence to design and production. In contrast to screen printing, which involved several steps and the necessity of enormous setup costs, direct on garment printing allowed full-color artwork to be printed directly onto cloth with minimal preparation.

DTG technology has evolved a lot since years have gone by. The initial designs were time-consuming and poor in color representation and fabric compatibility. However, with improvements in ink compositions, printheads, and software, production rate, color depth, and print durability have improved. Contemporary digital direct to garment printing machines use non-toxic water-based inks and automated systems, which are best suited for small businesses as well as mass-level apparel manufacturers.

The emergence of direct-to-fabric printing has enriched the industry by allowing printing on non-cotton fabrics. Riding the wave of growing popularity are on-demand manufacturing and personalization, and DTG printing technology is a game-changer in apparel customization to this day.

How Does DTG Printing Work?

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is a digital printing process that transfers high-quality, full-color images directly to fabric. The direct to garment process is most commonly used for printing custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other clothing with intricate graphics. But how does DTG printing work? Let's break it down step by step.

Step 1: Preparing the Design

The DTG printing process starts with a digital design file, preferably in PNG or TIFF format with a transparent background. The design is then run through specialized RIP (Raster Image Processor) software to ensure proper color reproduction and maximum print quality.

Step 2: Pre-Treatment of the Garment

Pre-treatment of garments (particularly dark-colored ones) is required before printing. A pre-treatment machine sprays a solution on the garment to enable the ink to stick better to the fabric, enhance color vibrancy, and durability. The garment is then heat-pressed to dry and flatten the fabric to ensure a smooth printing surface.

Step 3: Printing with a DTG Printer

The clothing is then put onto a straight to garment printer, which is similar to an inkjet printer but specifically for fabric. With water-based inks, the printer applies the design directly to the cloth. The accuracy of direct-to-garment DTG printing can provide delicate details, gradients, and photo-realistic prints.

Step 4: Curing the Ink

After printing, the ink must be cured for long-lasting prints. The shirt is either heat-pressed or put through a conveyor dryer to fix the ink. The washability is improved with this step, and the color of the design is preserved.

Step 5: Final Inspection and Packaging

The garment is then inspected once more for print quality after the curing process. When approved, it's ready to be worn or shipped.

Why Use DTG Printing?

If you're wondering how to print directly to garment, DTG is a great option for custom prints, one-off printing, and small production runs. The direct to garment printing method is environmentally friendly, creates soft, breathable prints, and accommodates a variety of colors without extra setup fees.

With developments in DTG printing process technology, entrepreneurs and companies are able to productively make high-quality, bespoke clothing, rendering direct-to-garment DTG printing an ideal solution for contemporary fashion and print-on-demand businesses.

Types of Direct to Garment Printers & Inks

Some of the existing direct garment print items for sale are all for particular use and production quantity. There is a general category between commercial direct to garment printers and small ones. Commercial direct to garment printers are most suitable for bulk productions with lots of printing capacity, high speed, and endurance. Such types of printers are most ideal for organizations that handle bulk orders or require constant top-quality prints. Examples include Epson and Brother business-level models offering business-level capability and performance.

Direct garment shirt printers and direct garment t-shirt printers are smaller in size, intended for small businesses or print-on-demand shops. 

The printers are simpler to use and have less capital investment but can offer slower printing speed than business machines.

Direct-to-garment printer is an inkjet technology digital printer that can directly print on fabrics with high print quality and the ability to reproduce detailed full-color images. It can be widely applied in printing customized tees and clothing because it can mimic colors efficiently and can be utilized for small orders with high setup. Garment printing is also referred to as print-on-garment printing, which is a process that uses printers that possess the ability to print designs on various fabrics.

Inks and Pretreatment Solutions

The ink printed by the direct garment printing machine process is one of the most crucial parts of the process. Environmentally friendly inks are gaining popularity since they are water-based, reducing harmful emissions and making the process environmentally friendly. They make wonderful and long-lasting prints and also happen to be eco-friendly. White inks are particularly critical when printing onto black fabric as they form a base coat where colors will reflect off of. This is particularly critical for direct to garment t-shirt printers that print on all shades of cloth.

Besides the ink, pretreatment solutions are also responsible for making the print of the highest quality. Pretreatment solutions allow the ink to adhere well on the fabric so that print vibrancy and durability are increased. In the absence of pretreatment, the print will be stiff or weak on the fabric.

Best Fabrics for DTG Printing

Choosing appropriate fabric is necessary to achieve quality output with the assistance of direct to garment (DTG) printing. Fabric influences the ink adhesion, color density, and durability of the print. The best materials to print directly on are enumerated below with product examples of t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.

1. 100% Cotton – Ideal Material for DTG Printing

The best fabric for direct to garment t-shirt printing would be cotton since it has the ideal absorbency and shiny finish. Ink passes through beautifully and produces bright and long-lasting prints.

Use on: T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags

Example to use: One of the best of the best for DTG printing is Bella+Canvas 3001, 100% ring-spun cotton, so soft and makes a great print.

2. Cotton-Polyester Blends – The Practical Alternative

Blended fabrics like 60/40 cotton/polyester are well-suited for direct to print garment use but result in washed-out colors due to poor ink penetration. Some of these blends are pre-treated to render them DTG more compatible.

Recommended for:

• Performance tops

• Lightweight hooded sweatshirts

Example: Next Level 6210 (60% cotton, 40% polyester) provides a great combination of comfort and printing quality.

3. Tri-Blend Fabrics – Soft But Uncooperative with Printing

Tri-blends of cotton, rayon, and polyester feel soft but fail to accept ink the way cotton does. They work well in producing distressed or vintage texture over wear-resistant prints.

Application: Fashion t-shirts, loungewear

Example: Bella+Canvas 3413 is fashion-focused, relaxed fit with gently understated print aesthetics.

4. 100% Polyester – Not So Perfect Print for DTG

Polyester is a good choice as a sportswear fabric but not for accepting DTG ink when it is water-based.

Though pre-treated material clothing on polyester might be present, DTG printing a t-shirt on polyester yields inferior colored printed photographs.

Recommendation: Suitable for sublimation printing and athletic wear

Other alternative: Sublimation printing for full-color picture prints on polyester.

5. Other Materials That Are Responsive to DTG

Canvas: Excellent for bag printing because the surface is quite perfect for replica printing intricate work.

Fleece (High Cotton Hoodies): Thicker, higher cotton content hoodies perform somewhat decently with DTG but will most likely need to be pre-treated on top of that.

DTG vs Screen Printing: Which is Better? 

Companies must make a decision about cost, quality, scalability, and sustainability before they can choose between direct-to-garment (DTG) printing or screen printing. Both are useful, but what is best for each individual printing requirement is most important.

Cost Comparison

DTG printing is inexpensive when it comes to low volume print orders since no setup cost is to be borne and thus a perfect fit for print-on-demand companies. Cost per unit of the ink is also higher here compared to screen printing, however.

Screen printing, of course, is a bit pricier initially in anticipation of the stencil but cheaper on a piece-by-piece basis when printing multiples. If one is making large quantities of one thing, screen printing is cheaper per item.

Quality and Detail

There is a standing question here: Is direct garment printing fine? Depends on material and design. Ink gets absorbed by the material and is soft. DTG is ideal for high resolution, full colour print with smooth transition and photorealistic look. Direct to garment DTG printing is ideal for materials made up of cotton but may not be as durable as screen prints in the long run.

Screen printing will yield rich, dense colors with an added layer of ink, thus enduring longer for prolonged use. It is less well adapted, however, to subtle detail with high shade counts or sensitive nuance.

Scalability and Flexibility

DTG printing is the best choice for rush runs or specially ordered single prints because designs are printed directly without setup.

Screen printing is optimally used in bulk production in large quantities but entails additional set-up time and fees where fresh images are to be utilized.

Environmental Friendliness

Direct-to-garment printing also ends up being more environmentally friendly since it utilizes water-based inks that lead to little wastage. It does not also incorporate the utilization of screens and consequently saves on the usage of material.

Screen printing is scrap-intensive and chemical-intensive off-the-factory and therefore not so much an environmentally-friendly practice. The majority of screen printing shops do have environmentally friendly practices.

When to Use DTG vs. Screen Printing

Use DTG printing for on-demand direct-to-order, small orders, multi-color print jobs of high complexity, and high-definition print work.

Use screen printing for quantity of long-run prints in a variety of fabrics, black/white/CMSKY-toned print orders, and large volume orders.

Pros and Cons of Direct to Garment Printing 

Direct to garment (DTG) printing is a modern process of printing in which high-technology inkjet is directly applied for apparel printing. It has been utilized long enough with custom apparel, small runs, and print-on-demand (POD) companies. Its advantages and disadvantages are described as follows.

Low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

Compared to setup process screen printing, direct printing to garment enables one product to be printed. It is thus ideal for startup businesses, small businesses, and POD services.

Full-Color, High-Definition Prints

DTG technology allows full-color, high-definition prints with photographic smoothness and gradient. The ink adheres well on cotton products, and thus they are soft.

Customization and On-Demand Printing

Since DTG does not have any stencils or screen usage, organizations can make small orders or even a single custom print at minimum additional cost. It is e-business retail-friendly for customized merchandise.

Environmentally Friendly Printing

DTG works with water-based ink, and it minimizes most of the wastage incurred by other procedures and provides it as an environmentally friendly method for printing.

While digital direct to garment t-shirt printers are great for small quantities, they are not as fast as screen printing for big quantities. DTG prints a shirt at a time, which takes time.

Perfect for Cotton-Based Products

DTG is perfect for 100% cotton products. Polyester and material mixes don't absorb the ink as much, meaning less quality prints.

More Costly Per Print

Although DTG has no initial setup costs, the unit price is more costly than screen printing for large volume orders due to ink and print time costs.

Is DTG Right for Your Business?

For small businesses, print-on-demand websites, or custom apparel firms, DTG is a quality and cost-effective process. But screen printing could possibly be the most inexpensive option in mass production. All the advantages and disadvantages will assist businesses in choosing the best process according to their requirements.

Tips for High-Quality DTG Prints (Especially for Beginners) 

DTG printing is an ideal process to get soft detail, best quality, and multi-color printouts. Best-quality, soft detail, and multi-color printouts are also needed in the form of optimal output of the process. This is only achieved by ensuring proper setup, suitable clothes, and proper maintenance of the machine at the right time. View below the top tips for beginners regarding getting optimum direct to garment DTG printing.

1. Get Your Design Ready for DTG Printing

Use High-Resolution Images: Create your artwork of at least 300 DPI to get clean and clear prints. 

Transparent Backgrounds: Save your design as PNG with a transparent background to prevent unwanted white boxes.

Color Profiles: Save designs in RGB color mode because DTG printers make use of such color profiles the most.

Avoid Very Thin Details: While DTG can print detailed designs, very thin details won't be printed.

2. Select Appropriate Clothing

Not all apparel is suitable for direct to garment t-shirt printing. Optimum print results are achieved by using:

100% Cotton: Ink is drawn in greater quantity and color prints more deeply.

Ring-Spun Cotton: Soft cotton that gives a softer finish for improved print.

Pre-Treated Clothing: Ink sticks better, so won't run color and remain long-lasting.

3. Optimal Print Quality due to Correct Pre-Treatment

• Pretreat clothing using a pretreat machine to create an even coat.

• Use precisely the right amount of pre-treatment—less leaves a stain behind, and more weakens the color intensity of prints.

• Dry the fabric properly before printing.

4. Treat Your Direct Garment Printing Machine with Care

Periodic maintenance from time to time keeps your DTG printer in prime condition for easy use, long-lasting, and excellent quality prints.

Clean the Print Heads: Avoids clogging with ink and provides color consistency.

Shake White Ink Bottles Daily: The white ink is prone to clog and cause irregular printing.

Print Occasionally through the Printer: It may dry out the ink in the machine while it remains idle all the time.

5. Cure the Print Properly

Cure the ink correctly using a 320°F (160°C) heat press for 90-120 seconds.

High-end direct to garment DTG printing based on accuracy is realized through prep work on designs, garment selection, and maintenance of equipment. With these tips, beginners can make professional-grade prints that are rich in color, long-lasting, and ideal for specialty apparel companies.

The Direct to Garment Printing Market in 2025 

The direct to garment printing sector is evolving fast in 2025 due to technology development, growth in e-commerce, and rising pressure for green fashion. As companies and entrepreneurs continue to adopt print-on-demand (POD) service, DTG printing is a part of the custom t-shirt market.

DTG Growth Trends

The DTG sector is going to expand extensively because:

Growing need for customized apparel: People want customized, bespoke apparel, and as such direct to garment printing is an appropriate venue for small companies as well as large companies.

Eco-friendly innovations: Water-based ink and minimized wastage make DTG printing a cleaner method than conventional processes.

New DTG printers with higher speed and efficiency: Newer printer generations are equipped with higher print speeds, better ink efficiency, and higher color accuracy, and therefore make DTG more feasible for mass production.

Influence of POD and E-Commerce

The rise of print-on-demand (POD) companies has revolutionized the market, allowing companies to sell their own branded designs without inventory. Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon Merch are only some of the web platforms that have created interest in DTG printing and direct to fabric, allowing brands to target niche markets with zero risk.

What's the Future of DTG Printing?

In the years to come, we can look forward to:

• Hybrid printers that can be used for both direct to garment and direct to fabric functionality.

• Artificial intelligence-based automation to automate the DTG process, thus saving time and money.

• Increased fabric compatibility to enable DTG to print a vast array of materials other than cotton-based materials.

• All these technologies will make the business of direct to garment printing grow even more, providing additional channels for businesses to grow and meet changing customer needs.

How Web-to-Print Software Powers Direct to Garment Printing Businesses 

Direct to garment printing firms within today's high-speed custom t-shirt market require efficient, automated technology to manage bulk orders in bulk orders without compromising quality. That is where web-to-print software comes in—efficiently streamlining direct to garment from order to final print.

What is Web-to-Print in DTG

Web-to-print software is web-based software that allows customers to design, personalize, and order apparel directly on a DTG print shop website. The system closes the loop between in-house garment printing, artwork management, and e-commerce to allow businesses to manage on-demand manufacturing effortlessly.

How Web-to-Print Automates DTG Print Shops?

A web-to-print DTG integration automates:

Order Processing – Orders can be ordered with their own custom designs, minimizing manual input.

Artwork Approval – Automated solution, transparency, and print-ready format verification reduce mistakes in the direct to garment printing process.

Print Queue Management – Orders get printed directly onto DTG printers for minimum production time.

Customer Personalization – Live previews enable customers to view how their designs would appear prior to ordering.

Advantages of Web-to-Print for DTG Businesses

Improved Turnaround – Automation of the ordering process and direct to garment printing cut processing time.

Less Human Mistakes – Computerized workflows and in-built artwork checking guarantee excellence prints each time.

Scalability – As a small DTG operation or growing to an enterprise scale, web-to-print guarantees bulk orders can be easily processed.

Try Web-to-Print for Your DTG Business

Want to speed up your direct to garment process and grow your business? Our web-to-print DTG integration enables you to automate processes, be more efficient, and deliver a better customer experience.

Begin with a demo today and discover how our solution revolutionizes your DTG print shop.

Choosing the Right Printer: Best DTG Printers in the Market

Choosing the correct direct to garment t-shirt printer is vital for print shops looking to expand successfully. Being a new company or an established one, choosing a direct garment printing machine that produces high-quality prints, high-speed output, and low-cost operation can prove to be the turning point.

What to Consider in a DTG Printer?

When selecting a commercial direct to garment printer, the following should be taken into account:

Print Quality – Good quality text and high-fidelity color for accurate details

Production Speed – Fast print times for bulk production

Ink Efficiency – Conservation of ink with effective use without affecting color quality

Fabric Compatibility – Versatility to print on various materials like cotton and blends

Software Integration – Seamless interfacing with web-to-print websites for smooth processes

Top DTG Printers for 2025

For a full list of the best print to garment printers, check out our Top DTG Printers blog, where we review highly rated models such as:

Epson SureColor F2100 – Praised for reliability and high-quality prints.

Brother GTX Pro – Commercial-grade DTG printer with advanced ink technology.

Kornit Atlas – Ideal for high-speed printing with eco-friendly ink solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is DTG?

DTG, direct-to-garment, is electric printing technology that prints garments directly using specialized printers. In contrast to the conventional screen print process, DTG printing will enable small runs of accurate, full-color prints without pre-set-up. DTG is especially suited for one-off t-shirts, hoodies, and other garments because it is versatile and can economically deliver small orders.

How long do DTG prints last?

Years can pass by if commercial-grade direct to garment prints are properly maintained. Print quality, the material used in making the garment, and washing dictate how long the print lasts. Printing using the best inks that can be purchased commercially and using a commercial-grade direct to garment printer guarantees that the prints will remain vibrant for 50 washes and beyond.

Is it okay to wash DTG printed shirts?

Yes, but carefully. To preserve print quality of shirts printed with DTG, wash them in cold water in the reverse direction using the washing machine's gentle mode. Do not dry clothes with harsh detergents and high-heat drying, as they will keep stripping away the images.

Is DTG eco-friendly?

Compared to conventional clothes printing, DTG is a green technology too. Direct garment printing machines employ water-based ink in the majority of them, which is free from toxicity and environmentally friendly. Two, DTG printing doesn't cause wastage of the fabric since the prints are printed by order depending on needs, thus a green option for firms willing to limit their carbon footprint.

Conclusion: Should You Choose Direct to Garment Printing? 

Direct to garment (DTG) printing is the best solution for your company if you require the supply of high-quality, personalized apparel with quick turnaround and customizable value. If you have a small printing shop or require expanding the production to deal with larger orders, DTG offers you flexibility, rich ink, and print-on-demand functionality suitable for one-off personalized clothing such as one-off custom tees and hoodies.

Find direct to garment printer business solutions and invest in a good straight-to-garment printer to maximize your business. DTG is perfect for businesses with an aim to deliver customized design solutions at the price of less wastage and improved efficiency.