WHAT IS DTG PRINTING?
DTG (Direct to Garment) digital printing stands out for its ability to print the design directly onto the garment, eliminating preliminary steps found in other techniques like traditional screen printing.
It is a relatively innovative customization method, present in the world of promotional gifts.
Advantages and Disadvantages of digital garment printing
Printing DTG offers multiple advantages, the main one being the elimination of the need for photolithography or traditional screens. It also excels in producing high-quality full-colour prints.
This type of branding makes your logo stand out due to detailed quality and engraving definition. Moreover, it is a durable technique, and prints remain unaffected over time despite washes.
When choosing this procedure, it is crucial that the chosen product is made of cotton or, in the case of a blend, at least 50% of it must be this material. Failure to do so will result in inadequate absorption of pigments and an unsatisfactory outcome.
The image, printed directly on the garment, integrates completely without laminating, making the surface fully breathable. For example, cotton shirts produced using this customization method are more comfortable for summer months.
Best Items for DTG Printing
Textile items customized with this technique are varied, with customized shirts or DTG on printed hoodies. The only requirement is that they must be made of cotton or, in the case of a blend, have a high percentage of this material. For polyester shirts, sublimation is preferable.
It is a process present in the sports sector, used to customize polo shirts. It is also found in advertising on customized tents, flags, and banners, among other items. Its application extends to tote bags as well.
Difference Between Manual and direct to garment DTG printing
Manual screen printing and digital screen printing fundamentally differ. In manual screen printing, after selecting a design, it is traced onto a stencil, which is then printed on a mesh with ink before being engraved on the chosen surface.
On the other hand, DTG, as mentioned, is straight to garment printing. However, in this technique, garment fabrics must be at least 50% cotton.
Traditional screen printing can be applied to virtually any product. In contrast, garment digital printing is not the most suitable option in that case due to a costly production process.
Another difference lies in the tones of digital screen printing. A full-colour finish can be achieved without additional costs, whereas in the other printing method, though more economical, prices vary based on inks used, making it the more suitable option for large orders.
As we see, these two printing forms are complementary, and there will be one more suitable based on our preferences. If what we are looking for are large orders with few colours, manual screen printing is the right choice; on the other hand, if what we want is a final art with much detail and many more tones, DTG is possibly the option that best suits.
Direct to garment printing price
This type of engraving allows for customizing items with excellent quality at a reasonable cost for small orders, regardless of whether a full-colour or single-tone result is sought.
Conversely, for larger orders, costs increase and may be less cost-effective, with slower production times.