Direct-to-garment printing

The apparel decoration marketplace is a $47 billon a year industry, the newest aspect of this marketplace is Direct to Garment printing. Direct to Garment printing, also known as DTG printing, digital garment printing and inkjet to garment printing, is a process of printing garments using specialized or modified inkjet technology. The two key requirments of a DTG printer are a transport mechanism for the garment and specialty inks (inkjet textile inks). Most direct to garment printers are manufactured from pre-existing Epson inkjet printers, with a couple of exceptions where DTG printers have been built from the ground up using lower resolution, more industrial inkjet printheads like those found in large sign and banner printers. The majority of DTG printers are driven from a computer by the use of a software RIP (Raster Image Processor) which allows the printer to print with larger volumes of ink, generate white ink underbases for dark shirts and also provides for more precision color management through color profiles. More advanced RIP softwares allow for driving multiple printers from one computer, advanced job queueing, ink cost calculation as well as real time preview of the file prior to printing. The major manufacturers of DTG printers are: All American Supply, DTG, T-Jet, Brother, and Kornit

Requirements

Early DTG inks required a high cotton content (80%+) to maintain good washability. Recent developments in ink technology have greatly increased the range of fabrics that are considered DTG printable. In the case of dark garments (those requiring a white base before printing) the application of a special pre-treatment is required to make the ink adhere better. Current white ink chemistry is limited to good washability on high cotton conten fabrics, with 100% cotton being the best.

Durability

DTG printing can be very durable if properly cared for. Normally, washing instructions state, "Wash inside-out in cold water." Even without proper care, printed designs can remain discernible after many washes. Direct to Garment printing can be as durable as screen printing.

Organic Eco-Friendly Printing

Direct to Garment Printing has become popular because it is almost 100% eco-friendly. While screen printing and other methods often use synthetic plastisol-based inks, DTG printers use exclusively environmentally-friendly, water-based inks, with the exception of certain mild solvent based and discharge inks used on a small percentage of printers.

Financial Impact of DTG Printing

Direct to Garment printers can cost from $11,000 , to over $200,000 , offering price options for most every apparel decorators budget. Some companies lease and maintain DTG printers, while others choose to purchase them directly, and based on business model , it may or may not be an ideal printing solution.

A primary advantage of DTG printing is the lack of set-up costs. While screen printing involves the creation and framing of screens for each color, DTG printing simply requires the image to be of adequate resolution and it can generate a full color dirctly onto the garment with no set-up costs, and with no minimum quantitiy required. . A basic financial analysis reveals that for each ink color, one would need to print at least 10-12 shirts to equal the same expense compared to DTG printing. This advantage allows smaller shirt companies to compete at low volumes, and as such, it has enabled many online shirt companies to open their doors.