On-Demand Apparel
Direct-to-Garment Printing
High-quality, full-color prints with no minimums. Perfect for complex designs, photo-realistic images, and unlimited colors on demand.
What is Direct-to-Garment Printing?
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a digital printing method that applies water-based inks directly onto fabric using specialized inkjet technology. Think of it as a high-end printer for clothing—it can reproduce full-color designs, photographs, and complex graphics with incredible detail and color accuracy.
Unlike screen printing, which requires separate screens for each color, DTG can print unlimited colors in a single pass. This makes it perfect for intricate designs, photo-realistic images, and small batch orders where setup costs need to stay low.
DTG works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton-blend garments. The ink bonds directly with the fabric fibers, creating a soft, breathable finish that doesn’t crack or peel. With no minimums and fast turnaround, DTG is ideal for on-demand production, custom orders, and testing new designs before committing to larger runs.
Best Use Cases
Photo-Realistic Designs
Perfect for detailed artwork, photographs, and designs with gradients or complex color blends. DTG captures every detail.
Multi-Color Graphics
No color limits. Print designs with dozens of colors without increasing costs or setup time.
Small Batch & On-Demand
No minimums means you can print one shirt or one hundred. Ideal for testing designs, limited drops, and made-to-order models.
Personalization
Easily add names, numbers, or custom text to each garment. Perfect for team rosters, event shirts, and personalized gifts.
Limitations to Consider
Fabric Compatibility
DTG works best on 100% cotton or cotton-rich blends (80%+ cotton). Performance on polyester and dark synthetics is limited.
Dark Garments Require Pretreatment
Printing on dark fabrics requires a white underbase layer, which can add slight texture and may affect the hand feel.
Not Ideal for Large Volumes
DTG is perfect for small batches, but for orders over 50-100 pieces, screen printing becomes more cost-effective.
Vibrant Colors on Light Fabrics Only
Colors appear most vibrant on white or light-colored garments. Dark garments may show slightly muted tones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulk DTG pricing starts at 50 pieces. Below this, our on-demand DTG service (no minimums) is more appropriate.
Most DTG orders ship within 3-6 business days. Certain products from our curated in-stock selection are available for next-day shipping at no additional cost, look for the Fast Turnaround label when browsing. Express shipping options are also available at checkout and do not affect our production SLAs.
DTG prints are durable and long-lasting when cared for properly. Wash inside-out in cold water and avoid high-heat drying to maximize longevity.
Yes! We apply a white underbase layer to dark garments so your design pops. This adds a slight texture but ensures vibrant, opaque colors.
For the best results:
- File type: PNG (preferred) or SVG for vector-based artwork.
- Resolution: 300 DPI.
- Color profile: sRGB.
- Max file size: 50 MB.
- Print size: Export your file at the actual print dimensions (for example, 10” wide file for a 10” print).
You can upload artwork directly in the design tool and reuse them once you acess a different product.