What is digital direct-to-garment printing (DTG)?

Direct-to-garment printing, also known as DTG, is a printing process on textiles and garments using specialised inkjet technology. It applies special inks directly onto the fabric, which are absorbed by the fibres.

DTG vs. other garment printing methods

• Sublimation — the image is first printed onto transfer paper, then applied to the fabric with heat and pressure. Limited to polyester.
• Heat transfer — combines heat and pressure to apply designs. Suitable for short runs but with durability limitations.
• Screen printing — pushes ink through a mesh. Excellent for large runs, but complex for customised designs or short runs.
• Digital DTG — prints directly onto the garment as if it were paper. Much less time and labour than traditional methods.

Advantages of DTG printing

• ✅ Most coloured garments can be printed — white ink channel for dark and transparent backgrounds.
• ✅ Wide range of applications: t-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, socks, bags, towels and more.
• ✅ Water-based inks, non-toxic and environmentally friendly, with excellent colour fastness, high elasticity and no cracking.
• ✅ Ideal for short runs, prototypes and high-end customised garments.
• ✅ Various on-demand print platens to facilitate the process — easy to print at low cost with no minimum order quantity.

The DTG printing process is simple

• 1. Pre-treatment — prepares the garment for printing.
• 2. Load the printer — place the garment and get ready to print.
• 3. Print and sell — let the printer do its job, finish with heat press and sell.

Recommended artisJet DTG printers