Direct to Garment Printing
Direct to garment printing (DTG) is a process of printing on textiles using specialized ink jet technology. DTG printers hold the garment in a fixed position and use specialty inks that are applied to the textile directly by the print head and are absorbed by the garment’s fibers. Since this is a digital process the print is sharper and has a higher resolution, or DPI, than traditional printing methods such as screen printing. Unlike screen printing, there is no long setup or clean-up process, and DTG has the ability to print just one single shirt for minimal cost.
Direct to garment vs traditional Screen printing
Screenprinting
Typically when artwork is introduced to a screen printer, there are many steps involved to create a finished product. This includes color reduction, color separation with software, printing the color separation sheets, creating the mesh screens for ink and then pushing the different colored ink through the mesh. This is a very time consuming process that would be very costly for a small order of shirts. Usually setup costs will cost $25 per screen or color for one size design. Small orders of less than 100 pieces could be very costly.
DTG Printing
This new technology offers the consumer a low cost, high quality option for smaller orders. DTG printing offers a high resolution of 1200-2880 DPI with 265,000 colors vs the 6 colors screen printing would offer. In addition, because the artwork is processed on the computer, multiple sizes of images can be printed with no additional setup costs. So when you are printing for a team of employees who range in size from extra small to 3XL in size, the big guy doesnt have to be stuck with a small image.
What we do for you
- Review the art
We look for anything in the artwork that may not translate well to the finished product. If we find something, we make expert recommendations to ensure the best outcome. - Optimization
This process is all about making sure the final print comes out as close to the original as possible. We will enhance the image as much as possible so that everything you love about the original art comes through in the print.
Things to consider about DTG printing:
- Direct to Garment pieces should be washed before first wear and always washed inside out in cold water, without fabric softener to keep the design from fading over time.
- 100% cotton, bamboo, hemp, rayon, wool, canvas is the best material to use for DTG printing. However 50/50 blends will still print well, just not as vivid.
Making sure your art looks its best
Please provide artwork to the specifications defined below.
Your artwork must conform to these guidelines in order to achieve desired output. Any art files submitted that vary from the below requirements may incur delays and additional charges.
Bitmap / Raster Files
Accepted formats – .psd, .tif, .pdf or .jpg
Minimum 200 dpi at actual size. If you need the image to be enlarged, then it should have a higher resolution like 300 dpi
Transparent background
Art file should be provided at 100% of actual printing size if possible.
Vector Files –
Accepted formats – .ai, .eps or .pdf
Art file should be provided at 100% of actual printing size if possible.
Maximum print areas:
Standard Left/Right Chest = 4″ x 4″;
Max Full Front =14″ x 16″
Max Full Back = 16″ x 20″
Print Pricing Only
Does Not Include Garment
| 4×4 Dark | 4×4 White | 10×10 Dark | 10×10 White | 12×12 Dark | 12×12 White | 12×16 Dark | 12×16 White | 16×20 Dark | 16×20 White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample with help on artwork | $25.00 | |||||||||
| 2 – 24 | $7.00 | $5.25 | $8.75 | $6.50 | $10.00 | $7.00 | $11.00 | $7.50 | $17.00 | $11.00 |
| 25 – 50 | $6.50 | $4.80 | $8.00 | $5.65 | $9.00 | $6.25 | $9.25 | $6.75 | $16.00 | $10.00 |
| 51 – 100 | $6.25 | $4.60 | $7.75 | $5.50 | $8.75 | $6.00 | $9.00 | $6.25 | $15.00 | $9.00 |
| 101 + | $5.75 | $4.40 | $7.35 | $5.35 | $8.45 | $5.75 | $8.50 | $6.00 | $14.00 | $8.00 |