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Decoration Technique
DTG Printing (Direct to Garment)
Inkjet-printed directly onto the garment. Photographic detail, soft hand-feel, no screen setup — perfect for short runs and one-offs on cotton.
Best For
Short runs, one-offs, photographic detail on cotton
Fabric
100% cotton and high-cotton blends (65% cotton minimum recommended)
MOQ
No minimum — single piece runs available
Durability
Excellent — 50+ washes with proper cure
Cost
$$$ — economical for short runs, expensive for high volume
Lead Time
5–15 days depending on quantity
About DTG
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing uses a modified inkjet printer to apply water-based ink directly into the fibers of a cotton or cotton-blend garment. Unlike screen printing, there is no screen setup and no color limit — you can print full-color photographs, gradients, and complex artwork just like printing on paper.
DTG is the most flexible decoration method for short runs, one-offs, and made-to-order apparel. It is ideal for samples, on-demand print-on-demand businesses, and small batch runs where screen printing setup costs would be prohibitive. At SublimApparel, we run industrial DTG machines with pre-treatment for both light and dark garments.
DTG works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton-content garments. For polyester or all-over-print, sublimation is the better choice. For fabric with a mix, DTF is the most versatile option.
Why Choose DTG
- No minimum order quantity — print one piece or 1,000
- Photographic detail and unlimited colors at no extra cost
- Soft hand-feel — no raised print surface
- Perfect for samples, on-demand, and made-to-order businesses
- No screens, no setup, fast turnaround
Best Use Cases
Print-on-demand and on-demand merchSample runs before committing to bulkSmall batch custom apparel (under 50 pieces)Photographic prints and detailed artworkPersonalized gifts and custom name apparelLimited edition drops and exclusive collections
How DTG Works
- 1
Pre-treatment
Garment is pre-treated with a special solution that helps the ink bond with cotton fibers. Especially important for dark garments.
- 2
Garment loading
Garment is mounted onto the DTG printer platen, smoothed, and registered.
- 3
Print
CMYK plus white ink is jetted directly into the fabric in a single pass at up to 1,200 DPI.
- 4
Cure
Ink is heat-cured at 180°C to bond with the cotton fibers.
- 5
QC & pack
Each piece is inspected for color accuracy and registration before packing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between DTG and screen printing?
DTG prints like an inkjet — no setup, unlimited colors, photographic detail. Screen printing uses screens — best for high volume with limited colors. DTG is more expensive per piece but cheaper for short runs.
Can you DTG on dark garments?
Yes, with a white underbase. We pre-treat the garment first so the white ink and color inks sit properly on dark fabric.
What fabric works best for DTG?
100% cotton is ideal. Cotton blends (65% cotton or higher) work well. Polyester does not absorb DTG ink — use sublimation for that.
How long does DTG last?
With proper cure, DTG prints last 50+ washes without significant fading.
Related Techniques
DTF Printing (Direct to Film)
Print on film, transfer to fabric. DTF works on any fabric — cotton, polyester, nylon, leather — with vibrant colors and a soft hand.
View details
Screen Printing
The original apparel decoration method. Cost-effective at volume, vibrant Pantone colors, and the workhorse of band merch, events, and corporate uniforms.
View details
Sublimation Printing
Dye-sublimation fuses ink into polyester fiber. Edge-to-edge print that never peels, cracks, or fades — the only way to achieve true all-over apparel.
View detailsGet a quote
Tell us your product, quantity and deadline.
You will have a landed, duty-paid price within one business day. If your deadline is not achievable, we will say so in the same reply rather than take the order and manage the problem later.
- Reply within 1 business day
- Team hours overlap US Pacific and UK
- Yiwu factory + Fontana, CA warehouse