In this day and age, there are many options when it comes to creating custom tees. And while tons of methods work well, we’re big fans of Direct to Garment printing. DTG printing not only allows for extensive color options, details, and an easily customizable design, but it also requires a minimal upfront investment and makes it simple to print designs in small batches.
Want to know more? Read on for 5 things to know about Direct to Garment printing.
It’s New
While screen printing has been around since the beginning, DTG Printing is actually pretty new. In fact, Direct to Garment printing only began in the early 2000s, and is now just picking up traction (which further proves that right now is the best time to get involved in it!). Why the switch? Many people prefer DTG printing because it’s easier to print on small and large orders.
It’s Simple
DTG printing is simple: you simply load your image into a computer, put the shirt in the machine, and press the button to start. But if you’re new to the industry, be sure to allow yourself some time to practice! Once you overcome the slight learning curve, you’ll quickly realize that DTG printing is far easier than screen printing.
Garment Quality is Key
With DTG printing, the quality of the garment is especially important. For the best quality print, you want to use a t-shirt with a tight-knit, smooth print surface–you want as little “fuzz” or stray yarn as possible. All of our cotton is 100% combed and ring-spun, making it the best surface available for DTG printing (read up on the differences between types of cotton here). If you try and cut corners here by using a cheaper, carded cotton, you’ll end up spending more on pre-treatment and ink and will end up with a inferior resulting print.
Light Garments are Easier than Dark
When it comes to DTG printing, printing on light shirts is easier than darks. If you’re using a dark shirt, pretreat is required, which means you have to pretreat the shirt, heat press it, print the image, then heat press it again. That said, if you’re stuck on using dark shirts, there are pretreatment machines that will actually do all of the work for you. Talk about a win!
Maintenance is Involved
When it comes to DTG printing, there is a lot of maintenance involved. Why, you ask? It’s simple: a lot of times, ink will settle down into the lines and clog up the heads, causing some problems for you in the long run. That said, if you keep your machine active and maintained, there shouldn’t be as much work involved. Either way, if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require maintenance, DTG printing may not be the best choice for you.
It’s Not Cheap
Getting into the DTG printing world can cost a pretty penny. From expensive machines to the cost of supplies and goods, things can add up quickly! Make sure to do your research and work with ink companies that are within your budget. But don’t fret – once you start selling your shirts, you’ll see profits fast.
Inspired to create your own custom tees? Browse tons of style options by BELLA+CANVAS today!
6 Comments
Nurali Mahmudi
A very useful article, especially for people like me who do like the world of stickers and screen printing T-shirts. A lot to gain after carefully reading what you are saying.
Thanks for sharing.