Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing method that sprays ink directly onto fabric, much like an inkjet printer on paper. It has transformed small-batch custom apparel by eliminating the setup costs that make traditional screen printing expensive for low quantities.

How DTG Works

A DTG printer uses specialized textile inks that bond with fabric fibers. The process:

Pre-treatment: The garment is sprayed with a pre-treatment solution that helps ink bond to the fabric. Essential for printing on dark garments.
Printing: The garment is loaded onto a platen and the printer deposits ink directly onto the fabric. Full-color images print in a single pass.
Curing: Heat is applied (typically via heat press at 330°F for 90 seconds) to permanently set the ink into the fibers.

The entire process takes 3–5 minutes per garment.

DTG vs Screen Printing

Factor	DTG	Screen Printing
Setup cost	None	$25–50 per color/screen
Cost at 1–25 pieces	Lower	Higher (setup spread over few units)
Cost at 100+ pieces	Higher	Lower
Color count	Unlimited (CMYK)	Priced per color
Photo-quality images	Yes	Limited (halftone simulation)
Durability	30–50 washes	50+ washes
Best fabric	100% cotton	Any fabric
Minimum order	1 piece	50–100 pieces

When to Choose DTG

Small Batch Runs (Under 50 Pieces)

DTG has no setup costs, so it is the most economical choice for small orders. A single custom-printed t-shirt costs roughly the same as the 50th piece — unlike screen printing, where setup fees are amortized across the run.

Complex, Full-Color Designs

If your design has photographic elements, gradients, or more than 6 colors, DTG is often the only practical option. Screen printing would require too many screens, making it prohibitively expensive.

On-Demand and Print-to-Order

DTG enables made-to-order models where you print each garment only when a customer orders it. Zero inventory risk.

Sampling and Prototyping

Need to see how a design looks on fabric before committing to a bulk production run? DTG lets you print one-off samples for the cost of a single garment plus printing.

When NOT to Choose DTG

Large orders (100+ pieces): Screen printing becomes significantly cheaper per unit at scale
Polyester or synthetic fabrics: DTG inks are formulated for cotton. They do not bond well to polyester — use sublimation instead
Simple 1–2 color designs: If your design is a simple logo, screen printing or embroidery will be more cost-effective and more durable
Maximum durability required: While DTG prints last 30–50+ washes, screen printing and embroidery outlast it

DTG Pricing

Typical per-garment costs (not including the blank garment):

Single print location: $5–12 per garment
Front and back prints: $10–20 per garment
Price does not change with color count — a 2-color print costs the same as a full-color photograph

Tips for Best DTG Results

Use 100% cotton blanks. Cotton absorbs DTG ink best. Ringspun cotton produces the smoothest print surface.
Design at 300 DPI. DTG can reproduce fine detail — give it high-resolution artwork to work with.
Consider white ink areas. Printing on dark garments requires a white ink base layer, which adds cost and a slightly different hand feel.
Wash inside out, cold. This extends print life significantly.

DTG is one of several embellishment techniques we offer. Get in touch to discuss which printing method is right for your designs, or explore our blank apparel catalog to find DTG-compatible garments.