Direct printing on clothing changed the rules: it pays off from a single piece, and the number of colours in the design has no effect on the price.
Below we explain what exactly this technology offers, what can be printed on, how to prepare the file and what to expect from the finished garment.
How direct printing works
In the DTG technique the head lays water based pigment inks straight onto the fabric, much as an inkjet printer lays them onto paper. The colourant penetrates between the fibres and after curing becomes part of the material, so the print barely changes the handle of the fabric.
The DTF technique reverses the order: the artwork goes onto a film first, is covered with adhesive powder and only then transferred to the garment under a heat press. That is how it reaches places DTG cannot.
You will find a detailed comparison of both methods in the article on DTG and DTF printing technologies.
What this changes in practice
- A run from one piece. There are no costs of preparing screens, which in screen printing have to be spread across the whole run.
- A full palette at no extra charge. A photograph, shading and tonal transitions cost the same as a single colour inscription.
- Personalisation within one order. Every piece can carry a different name, number or graphic at the same price.
- A short lead time. There is no prepress stage, so the way from file to finished garment is much shorter.
- A soft print. With DTG the colourant sits inside the fibre, so the shirt stays breathable.
What we print on
The choice of technique follows the material, not preference:
| Material | Technique | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton and blends with cotton predominant | DTG | the best penetration of the colourant, the softest result |
| Polyester and technical fabrics | DTF | the print sits on the surface, it does not need a natural fibre |
| Sleeves, pockets, caps, bags | DTF | places the head cannot easily reach |
| Dark garments | DTG or DTF | needs an underbase and white so that colours do not disappear into the background |
Inks and safety
We use water based pigment inks, with no solvents. They are safe in contact with skin, which matters above all with children's clothing and with items worn next to the body. The print stays flexible and does not form the stiff coating known from cheap iron on transfers.
Why it need not be expensive
Our machine works with a continuous ink supply, in which the colourant is drawn from large tanks rather than from replaceable cartridges. The unit cost of a print is therefore lower, and on larger runs the difference becomes clear. This arrangement also works well for large, heavily covered graphics, which in other techniques quickly push the price up.
How to prepare the file
- Vector graphics for lettering and company marks, because they scale without loss of quality.
- Photographs at a resolution suited to the print at final scale. Enlarging a small file will repair nothing.
- A transparent background, if the print is to have an irregular shape. A white background will be printed as white.
- The actual size of the print given in millimetres, not in pixels.
- Critical colours marked, when brand colours are involved.
It is worth remembering that fabric reflects light differently from paper, and the colour of the base affects the result. You can check how your colours will behave once they move to printing colourants in the CMYK simulation.
How long a print lasts
With proper care a well made print goes through several dozen wash cycles without a clear loss of quality. Four habits decide it: washing inside out at thirty degrees, drying in the air, ironing from the reverse without steam, and not folding the garment on the design. We develop this in the guide to caring for printed clothing.
Who this suits
- Companies that need workwear or gift clothing in small runs.
- Event organisers, where a short deadline and the option of a reprint matter.
- Clubs and schools, where each piece is often personalised with a name or a number.
- Creators and shops selling their own designs without having to tie up capital in a run.
- Private customers ordering single pieces as a gift.
Summary
Direct printing works wherever the run is small, the design multicoloured and the deadline short. On very large series of a single design screen printing is still sometimes cheaper, so the technique is matched to the job and not the other way round.
Would you like to order printed clothing or find out which technique suits your design? Take a look at our offer of printing on clothing. We will advise on the material and the method, and check the files before production.
