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Direct to Garment Printing
People use the term screen printing generically. However, we offer an exciting new technology called direct-to-garment (or DTG) printing. It's a different technology that offers a different set of benefits over screen printing and heat transfers.
THE DTG HIGHLIGHTS
• Full color printing including photos
• DTG printing handles gradient color blends
• DTG allows for feathering effects and drop shadows
• No rubbery, pasty feel to the printed fabric
• Stands up better to washing
• Water-based inks are eco friendly
• No set-up fee
THE FULL STORY
DTG printing is a tremendous alternative to screen printing. It lets you print your photos, logos, and other graphics in full color onto white or light colored tee-shirts, sweatshirts, and other materials. No more having to settle on just a few colors. With DTG you can print the rainbow blend above or popular feathering and shadowing effects. You can't do that with screen printing.
To the casual observer, this tiger image might look like screen printing, but it's DTG. Screen printing layers opaque ink on top of fabric. This lets you print light colors on dark fabric, but creates that rubbery, pasty feel that cracks and peels after repeated laundering. DTG ink is not opaque; it blends into the fabric through a heat curing process. One touch and you'll feel the difference. There's no ink texture with DTG, making the garment much more comfortable to wear.
The printing on the t-shirt above may look like an abstract painting but it's actually a photograph of reflections in a pool of water printed on a shirt. With DTG, you can print full color and use gradient color blends in your art. With screen printing you pay extra for each color and cannot print photos, color blends, feathering effects or drop shadows. The inks used in DTG are bright, permanent, water-based, and more eco friendly.
With one-pass printing we can cover a 14"x16" area. That surface area can be extended with multiple print passes. We often print a full-size logo on the back of a shirt and accented it with a pocket logo on the front of a shirt.
DTG is great for popping your favorite photos onto a t-shirt. If you can print a file on your computer system, we can most likely print it on a shirt for you.
Photos look truest and brightest printed on white shirts, but you can achieve some great artistic effects printing onto light or mid-tone colored shirts.
DTG is glorified inkjet printing. To predict how something might look in DTG, print your file onto colored paper that would match the fabric color. If you want a pink shirt, print your file onto pink paper.
If you wish to print light inks on dark fabrics, such as white printing on a black shirt, we can provide that service through our partner network. Printing with opaque inks requires either screen printing or DTG designed for this specific purpose.
Here is a guide for submitting files to us for DTG printing.
Here are some great ideas for creating t-shirts that you will be proud to wear or to give as meaningful, personal gifts.
We are happy to answer your questions about your specific projects and needs. Call us at (503) 365-1955.