DTG Printing for Custom Apparel Orders
Photo-quality detail directly on the garment—ideal for complex, multi-color designs without the setup costs of screen printing.
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing sprays water-based ink directly onto the fabric, producing photo-quality detail with virtually no setup. It's the right choice when your design has many colors, gradients, or fine detail, and your run is too small to justify screen setup.
Best For
- ✓Detailed, multi-color, or photographic designs
- ✓Small-to-mid runs (under 50–100 pieces)
- ✓Quick-turn orders that can't wait for screen setup
- ✓Cotton and cotton-blend garments
Not Ideal For
- ✗Very large bulk orders (screen is cheaper per piece)
- ✗Dark garments requiring heavy white underbase (possible but adds cost)
- ✗Specialty inks like metallic or glow-in-the-dark
Volume Notes
DTG has minimal setup, so it's cost-effective at low volumes. As quantities rise above roughly 50–100 pieces, screen printing usually becomes cheaper per unit.
Durability
Modern DTG inks, properly pre-treated and cured, are wash-resistant for normal use. For heavy commercial laundering, screen printing may be more durable.
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Common Questions
Is DTG durable enough for regular washing?
Yes, when properly pre-treated and cured. For everyday wear and normal washing, DTG holds up well. For industrial or commercial laundering, screen printing may be more durable.
Can you DTG print on dark garments?
We can, using a white underbase. It adds a step and slightly changes the hand feel, so we'll advise based on your design and garment color.
When is DTG cheaper than screen printing?
Typically for runs under 50–100 pieces with multi-color or detailed designs. Above that, screen printing's lower per-unit cost usually wins.