DTG - DIRECT TO GARMENT & PRINT ON DEMAND GUIDLINES
FULL LIST OF GARMENTS WE OFFER...
WHAT IS DIRECT TO GARMENT PRINTING?
Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is a process of printing on textiles using specialized aqueous ink jet technology. DTG printers typically have a platen designed to hold the garment in a fixed position, and the printer inks are jetted or sprayed onto the textile by the print head. DTG typically requires that the garment be pre-treated with a PTM or Pre-treatment machine allowing for the following:
Stronger bond between garment fibers and the pigmented inks
Lays down loose fibers to provide for a smoother substrate
Chemically reacts with the inks to promote drying and curing
Since this is a digital process the print is sharper and has a higher resolution, or DPI, than traditional printing methods such as screen printing. However, unlike screen printing, there is no long setup or clean-up process, and DTG has the ability to print just one single shirt for minimal cost.
SAVE THE FILES AS PNG
When creating your own file in a software like Adobe Photoshop, we suggest using a transparent background and saving your file as a PNG file. Please avoid JPG files because they do not support transparent backgrounds. This means your design might be printed with a white background and could diminish the quality of your design.
Create your print file in the sRGB color profile. This is the format our system reads when it receives your file. Our printers then convert your submitted file into CMYK format. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (or black). Sometimes converting from sRGB to CMYK slightly changes colors.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT DPI
DPI (dots per inch) refers to the number of printed dots within one inch of an image printed by a printer. This is different from pixels per inch, or PPI, which refers to the number of pixels contained within one inch of an image on a computer monitor.
The more dots per printed inch, the higher the print quality (and the more sharpness and detail). Using the correct DPI ensures fast processing and accurate prints. So please be sure to check that your file is 300 DPI before sbmititng your art files.
KEEP THE DPI HIGH WHEN CHANGING FILE SIZE The actual size of your file is its measurement in inches. Let’s say it’s 5 inches by 5 inches with 100 DPI. If you double the size to 10 inches by 10 inches, the DPI is cut in half to 50. Be careful not to decrease DPI when changing the actual size of your design file.
CONSIDER RIBBING, SEAMS AND STITCHING
Flat surfaces are the easiest to print on. If you choose a product like a sweatshirt or hoodie with seams, pockets, and zippers, you should consider these elements during your design process.
Ribbed garments are printed unstretched, which means the ink only sets on top of the ribs. When worn, the print can stretch and reveal these gaps. This is something we suggest considering when preparing your designs.
AVOID COMMON ISSUES
Light text, white garment
Light ink is usually not visible on light-colored material because the ink used in the DTG printing process is very thin. We recommend adding a darker color background for your designs with light text to make the text easy to read.
Black text, black garment
A white underbase is added to any prints that aren’t white themselves. This means that two layers of white ink are printed, first followed by one layer of color, to make sure the color of your design really pops.
When you choose to print a black design on a black or dark-colored garment, the white underbase can cause the design to look more gray than black. Using a white or light-colored background will help your text stand out on the dark fabric.
Small Text
Small text can bleed together and is difficult to see in final products. The smallest font that will be legible under the right conditions is about 6-8pt or 10-12 pixels in height. Use large text and follow the product guidelines for the best results.
Neon colors and pastels
Hot pink, lime green, construction orange, highlighter yellow, and pastel shades do not convert well to CMYK, which is the format our printers read. Instead, consider other bold colors like mauve, emerald, and burnt orange.
NOT ALL FABRICS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Print outcomes vary depending on the fabric you choose.
WE OFFER:
100% cotton blends,
Poly blends (50% cotton, 50% polyester)
Tri-blends (50% polyester, 25% cotton, 25% rayon or 50% polyester, 37% ring-spun combed cotton, 13% rayon).
Our standard printing process works best with 100% cotton products. If you’re looking for the most opaque result, 100% cotton is your best bet. This fabric has a better result due to its tight weave. However, if cotton is too thick, it can absorb the ink and the design may look more faded.
Designs printed on blended garments will have a faded/vintage outcome with DTG printing due to their looser weave and combination of fabrics. The fabric of the garment will often show through the ink.
MAX PRINT AREA ON APPAREL
