Pixels To Print: Direct-to-Garment Printing

One of the newer printing methods for apparel that has gained popularity in recent years thanks to technological improvements is direct-to-garment (DTG) printing. The DTG process is used mainly to print small quantities of apparel and compared to the screen-printing process that requires hours of work and more expensive set up costs, DTG printing offers a similar full-color imprint but in much less time and without the heavy setup up costs.   

How It Works

Working very similar to how an inkjet printer would, direct-to-garment technology uses a digital printer to apply specialized water-based ink directly to the garment to be absorbed by the fibers of the material. DTG printers also offer a lot of color options which means that you can print detailed and precise designs with almost no color limitations. With DTG, the entire design is printed in one go. And since it doesn’t have color limitations, there’s no extra setup time to start printing, so your order will typically be fulfilled as soon as the print file comes through.

What Is It Used For

Direct to Garment Printing is used for one-offs and low quantity apparel orders because of its ability to print on demand and with almost no set up time. It is also great for full color designs, but is mostly cost efficient for small orders; otherwise, heat transfer or screen printing may be the way to go for larger orders!

Pros

1. Produces low quantities easily and efficiently

2. Low cost per unit

3.  Preserves the soft feel of the garment

4.  Full color high-detail printing

Cons

1. Slower and more expensive for large quantities

2. Darker colored garment may require a pretreatment, which can be an additional cost 

To learn more about how we can use the best printing method for your needs, reach out to us at NorthPoint and check out our previous blogs posts on imprinting methods, such as Screen Printing, Dye Sublimation, and Heat Transfer.