DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing
1.Process Principle: A digital printing process where specialized inkjet printers spray water-based inks directly onto the fabric of a garment, much like printing on paper.
2.Ideal Fabric: Best suited for 100% cotton or high-content cotton blends. Performance on synthetic fabrics like polyester is limited without specialized inks and pre-treatment.
3.Design Capability: Exceptional for highly complex, photorealistic designs with unlimited colors, gradients, and fine details. No color separation is needed.
4.Hand Feel & Breathability: Offers a very soft hand feel on light garments as the ink absorbs into the fibers. On dark garments, the required white underbase can leave a slightly stiffer, yet still flexible, print.
5.Durability & Curing: Requires post-print heat curing (with a heat press or conveyor dryer) to ensure wash fastness. With proper curing, prints can last the lifetime of the garment but may eventually crack over extreme time and washes.
6.Cost Structure: Very low setup cost (digital file only). High per-unit cost, making it economical for small batches and one-off items, but less so for very large orders.
7.Environmental Impact: Uses water-based inks that are generally more environmentally friendly than plastisol inks. However, the pre-treatment chemical for dark garments is a consideration.
8.MOQ & Lead Time: Common MOQ is 50+ pieces. Lead time is relatively fast as there is no lengthy setup, but printing itself is slower per unit compared to screen printing.
| Feature | DTG Printing | DTF Printing | Screen Printing | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable Fabric | Best on Cotton & Blends | Cotton, Poly, Blends, etc. | Most Fabrics (Cotton, Polyester, etc.) | Stable, Woven Fabrics |
| Applicable Pattern | Complex, Full-Color, Photorealistic | Complex, Full-Color, Photorealistic | Bold Graphics, Solid Colors, Spot Colors | Logos, Text, Designs with Defined Areas |
| Hand Feel | Soft on Lights, Slightly Stiff on Darks | Smooth, Plastic-like Layer | Stiff (Plastisol) or Soft (Water-Based) | Textured, Raised, and Durable |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Best for Low Quantities | Best for Low-Mid Quantities on Various Materials | Best for High Volume | Best for Medium-High Quantities |
| Environmental Impact | Medium (Water-Based Inks, but uses Pre-Treatment) | Low (Involves Plastic Film & Polymer Waste) | Low (Plastisol Inks) to Medium (Water-Based) | High (Minimal Material Waste) |
| MOQ | 50+ | 30+ | 50+ | 50+ |
For Our GTX PRO B
Maximum Print Size is 16” x 21” / 40,6cm x 53,3cm
Use the machine for 30-50 piececs
For Our GTX 600
Maximum print area up to 24″ x 24″
Use GTX 600 for bigger designs
Better For 50-100 pieces Order
For Our Large Format Printers
Maximum print area up to 27″ x 39″
Use for shoulder to shoulder designs
