Can DTG Print on Any Shirt?

Can DTG Print on Any Shirt?

Using DTG printing techniques, you can print on almost any type of shirt, even those made of dark colors, like black or dark brown. When you print on a dark-colored shirt, you need to pre-treat the shirt to make sure that the ink will adhere properly. You can do this by doing a wash test before printing on the shirt.

Do a Wash Test before Printing

Before you print anything on a shirt, do a wash test to ensure that the ink has cured properly. It is not cured if the ink looks cracked or dry. If it looks evenly split, the ink has stretched too far. It is important to do a wash test before printing on any shirt to ensure that the printing will remain vibrant.

First, you can give the shirt 24 hours to rest. This is very important because custom-printed garments need time to cure their ink properly and adhere to fabrics. You can also do a stretch test to check if the print is cracked or peeling. Most shirts won’t have to go through this much stretching, but you should do it anyway, to make sure that the print has cured properly.

Pretreatment for Dark-colored Shirts

Before you begin to DTG print your designs, you should be clear about the different types of pretreatment available. Light pretreatment is used on light-colored t-shirts, while dark pretreatment is used on dark-colored shirts. The difference between light and dark pretreatment is the type of ink used.

If you’re planning to use CMYK ink, you don’t need to apply pretreatment on dark-colored shirts. However, if you plan to use white ink, you should apply the solution. The pretreatment process improves color vibrancy and wash-fastness.

The pretreatment used for printing on dark-colored shirts helps the white ink adhere to the shirt. It also makes the colors stay on the surface of the shirt, ensuring a more vibrant result.

Direct-to-garment Printing on Gildan T-shirts

Direct-to-garment printing is a common way to add a design to a Gildan t-shirt. It produces a high-quality printed image. Using this method, however, does come with a few restrictions that you need to be aware of to avoid any potential problems. First, it is slower than screen printing, requires more labor, and the printable area of the garment is smaller. As such, it is best suited for small print runs. In addition, it is a more expensive method of printing.

Direct-to-garment printing is becoming an increasingly popular method of decoration. The process involves using a water-based CMYK+ white ink and requires a shirt that is compatible with the water-based ink system. Gildan has addressed this challenge by creating the Softstyle 64000 adult T-shirt, which is made of high-stitch-density fabric. It is made of 100% ring-spun cotton and is pre-shrunk. Its fabric weight is 4.5 ounces.

Laser Transfer Printing vs Direct-to-garment Printing

There are several differences between direct-to-garment printing and laser transfer printing. The price tag associated with each opportunity is where the fundamental distinction between the two alternatives may be found. Laser transfers are less expensive and require no special coatings. They are also more versatile, allowing you to print on a variety of surfaces, including wood signs and ceramic mugs.

Direct-to-garment printing is fast and allows you to print full-color pictures. There is no limit to how many colors you can print, which makes it a better choice for designs with multiple colors. This method is also great for printing complex designs and pictures. But this method is not recommended for all kinds of apparel.

A direct-to-garment print can be difficult to feel on light-colored shirts. However, a dark-colored shirt may feel the print more. This is because a white underbase is used for direct-to-garment printing. However, a direct-to-garment print is still much softer to the touch than a t-shirt transfer.

Cost of Direct-to-garment Printing

If you need to print a unique design on a shirt, direct-to-garment printing is a good option. This type of printing is perfect for small batches and many different designs. The ink used in direct-to-garment printing costs about ten times as much as that for screen printing. A dark-colored shirt will require more work, however. You shouldn’t forget to include in the amount of money that will be going toward paying taxes, either. To get a free quote for your project, fill out our online form.

The cost of direct-to-garment printing on any shirt can vary from $20 to $30 per shirt. It will also depend on the color of the shirt and the number of locations to print on the shirt. Dark-colored shirts require a special printer, which costs more money and takes longer to complete. If you are ordering 50 or more shirts, the price per shirt should go down. However, the price per shirt should increase for each shirt that is customized with text or artwork.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about DTG and Custom T-shirt Printing

>How to Decide Between Heat Transfer Printing & Screen Printing?
– T-shirts may be customized in a variety of ways, including screen printing and heat transfer designs. But which design process produces shirts that appear more professional? If you want to make your own personalized t-shirts or start an online shop selling t-shirts, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of screen printing vs. heat press transfer..Learn More


>DTG Printing vs. DTF Printing: Which is Still the Best Option?
– The epidemic has led tiny studios to focus on Print-on-Demand manufacturing. With it, DTG and DTF printing have entered the market, piquing the attention of manufacturers interested in dealing with personalized clothes…Read More


>What are the Common File Types Used for Printing?
– Are you getting ready to print a custom tee but feel confused by the many different file types out there? Don’t worry! Here are the differences between the two formats InksterPrints accept to help you choose the right one for your print file..Continue Reading


>What are the Advantages of Buying Custom T-Shirts Online?
– Ordering personalized t-shirts online is easier than you might think, from design to production. T-shirt printing companies in Philadelphia and other cities have improved their online ordering processes to make them more user-friendly. Anyone can now choose, design, and order customized t-shirts all in the same place..Click Here to Learn More


>What is DTF or Direct to Film Printing?
– Direct-to-film printing is a one-of-a-kind printing method that includes producing graphics on special films and then transferring them to clothes. DTF printing is a heat transfer technique that lasts as long as classic silkscreen printing. DTF is a printing method that is not the same as DTG…Click to Read More


>Is Screen Printing or DTG the best option for your company?
– The method of pushing ink through a stenciled mesh screen to create a printed design is known as screen printing. Even though you’ve rarely heard of the term yet, you’ve probably owned or used a screen-printed item. Serigraphy and silk screen printing are other names for the same method, although they all refer to the same core technology…Click Here to Continue Reading

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