Direct to garment printing (or DTG) has become widely available in the commercial market since the mid-2000s. A full color, detailed design is sent from a computer to a digital printer with a garment loaded, unlike traditional labor-intensive processes such as screen printing and embroidery.
Through these incredible printing services, the prints on the garments are long lasting and of high quality. This is because the ink is of high quality and do not spread while printing.
The piezo print heads then jet opaque white ink and translucent CMYK ink onto the garment. Designed specifically to adhere to fabric when heated, these inks are water-based and eco-friendly.
DTG simplifies the process of creating high-quality printed garments and eliminates the need for highly skilled, experienced employees. Discover more about DTG printing!
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Do more with DTG
Put technology to work instead of costly labor. DTG printing allows a single person to take an order, print the items, and prep everything for delivery before moving on to the next task.
Design reproduction in unlimited colors
Runs and one-offs efficiently
Reprints fast and easy
Improved output and market response
Over zippers and difficult garments
Reduced labor and training costs
Simpler set up and smaller footprint
Inkjet DTG Printing
Step 1 – Treat and cure the garment
Apply the right amount of pretreatment depending on the garment, preferably with a Brother-recommended pretreatment machine. To ensure a flat printing surface, cure the pretreat solution with a heat press or dryer.
Step 2 – Create the digital art
Upload your artwork to PRUF. Using the PRUF, you can position an image, add text, distress layers, and make other adjustments before printing. Direct printing from your own graphics software is also an option.
Step 3 – Printing on the Garment
Put the garment or substrate on the platen and press.
Step 4 – Cure the garment ink
To cure the ink, place the printed garment on the heat press or in a forced air dryer. Washable ink will be fully cured to the garment.
Does Direct-to-Garment Printing Last?
You can create long-lasting, durable prints on clothing and accessories using direct-to-garment printing. You can expect DTG-printed garments to be as good or better than those you find at big-box retailers or popular mall stores. This means that the shirt will maintain great quality even after repeated washings and wearings.
Is Direct-to-Garment Printing Durable?
According to industry standards, printed clothing can last up to 50 washes. However, DTG prints often last longer.
Direct-to-garment prints typically last the life of a garment – and age with it. Washing and wearing your garment repeatedly deteriorates it. The ink on the fabric will also start breaking down as this happens.
Check out the Durability of DTG Prints
Putting a DTG print through its paces yourself is one of the best ways to determine its durability! Ask for a sample DTG-printed t-shirt, and then start putting it through its paces! Put the t-shirt through as many cycles as you like in the washer and dryer, so you can see how the print holds up.
The longer the garment, the longer the print
As the garment on which the image is printed ages, the image will fade and begin to break down. If you take better care of your garment, the image will last longer. When it comes to doing laundry, do you remember all the rules your mother tried to teach you? It doesn’t matter which one you choose.
Printed t-shirts will last longer if you wash them in a cold, gentle cycle and line dry them, than if you wash them in a hot, permanent press cycle and tumble dry them on hot. You can try direct to garment printing PRUF services!
