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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.

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Custom DTG printed t-shirt on a studio surface
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. 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. 2

    Garment loading

    Garment is mounted onto the DTG printer platen, smoothed, and registered.

  3. 3

    Print

    CMYK plus white ink is jetted directly into the fabric in a single pass at up to 1,200 DPI.

  4. 4

    Cure

    Ink is heat-cured at 180°C to bond with the cotton fibers.

  5. 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

Custom DTF transfer design ready for heat press application

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
Custom screen printed t-shirt on a clean studio surface

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
Custom sublimated t-shirt with edge-to-edge all-over print

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 details

Get 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.

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