Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom DTG Printing

Custom dtg printing is one of the most popular garment decoration techniques for small businesses and individuals who want to create and sell their own custom designs. It can be used on a wide range of clothing, including hoodies, baseball caps, tote bags, and other accessories. The printing process is quick and affordable, and the results are incredibly high-quality. However, there are some things to keep in mind when using this method of printing.

First, it’s important to understand the difference between DTG and other types of printing methods. DTG stands for direct to garment. This type of printing applies water-based ink directly to the fabric, resulting in super-rich colors and a soft feel that feels almost like the fabric itself. The process is also faster than other printing methods, and it requires less setup time. This makes it a great choice for people who need to make multiple shirts quickly, or for teams and organizations that need to print uniforms for events.

Another advantage of DTG is that it can be used on a wide range of fabrics, although it looks best on 100% cotton, ringspun products. The print holds up well after washing, and it’s ideal for use on a variety of items, from baby clothes to size XXL T-shirts. It’s also a great option for people who want to use their own artwork or photographs, rather than buying stock images or clip art from a design marketplace.

The DTG printer market has been growing rapidly over the past few years, with significant improvements in functionality and usability for both commercial devices and plug-and-play types designed for home use. New developments include circulating printheads, white ink printing capabilities, improved user interfaces, and more efficient printing speeds. These innovations, along with a drop in price for some models, have made DTG printing more accessible to a broader set of consumers.

Screen printing still remains a popular option for bulk orders of printed and custom-designed apparel, especially for large companies and organizations that need to make uniforms for employees or volunteers. Screen printing is usually more cost-effective than digital printing, and the number of colors used won’t significantly impact the final price. However, for smaller batch sizes and individual t-shirt sales, DTG is a much more affordable solution.

To start making a t-shirt with DTG printing, the garment must be pre-treated with a special solution that prepares it to receive the ink. Then the garment is printed, and it’s cured by running it through a heat press or conveyor dryer. The entire process typically takes less than three minutes, and once the garment is finished it can be packaged for shipping or sold in a retail environment. The result is a high-quality, personalized product that can be customized to each customer’s unique requirements. This flexibility explains why DTG is a leading technology for e-commerce sites that specialize in customizing and selling garments online. In fact, many of these sites offer web-to-print platforms and other cloud-based tools that enable consumers to create their own designs and order them on demand. custom dtg printing