DTG (direct to garment) printing works like an inkjet printer for clothing. Water-based inks go straight into the fibres of the garment for a soft, breathable print in as many colours as your design needs. It's ideal for detailed, full-colour artwork on cotton t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags, whether you need one piece or a few hundred.
DTG is one of five decoration methods we run in-house.
DTG printing at a glance
- Best for: photographic or multi-colour designs, artwork with gradients, short runs and one-offs, and soft-feel prints on cotton.
- Best fabrics: 100% cotton or high-cotton blends. Ring-spun and combed cotton give the sharpest results.
- Minimum order: no minimum. One piece is fine.
- Lead time: Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
How DTG printing works
- Pre-treatment. Dark and coloured garments get a thin pre-treatment coat so the ink sits up on the surface and stays bright. White garments often don't need it.
- Curing the pre-treatment. The garment is heat-pressed so the coat is dry and flat before printing.
- Printing. The garment is loaded onto a platen and the printer jets the colour onto the fabric. On dark garments a white layer goes down first, then the colour on top.
- Curing the print. The ink is heat-cured so it bonds with the fibres and stands up to washing.
- Checking and packing. Each piece is checked against your approved proof, folded and packed.
The image goes straight from file to garment, with no screens or films. DTG suits one-offs and short runs.
What DTG is good for
- Unlimited colours. Photographs, illustrations and gradients print in full colour.
- A soft hand-feel. On white and light garments there's very little feel to the print.
- Small runs make sense. There's no minimum, and a run of five is fine.
- Easy to vary. Different designs, names or dates can be printed garment by garment.
- Water-based inks. DTG inks are water-based.
When DTG isn't the right choice
DTG is at its best on cotton. On polyester, many performance fabrics and some blends, DTF printing is the better choice. For large runs of a simple one- or two-colour design, screen printing is usually the better choice. For polos, jackets and caps where you want a premium look, embroidery is normally the stronger choice.
The best garments for DTG
- T-shirts in 100% cotton, especially ring-spun styles from brands like Stanley/Stella, AS Colour and Bella+Canvas.
- Hoodies and sweatshirts with a high cotton face.
- Cotton tote bags and shoppers.
- Organic and sustainable blanks, which pair well with water-based inks.
Lighter garments give the softest result. Dark garments print very well too, but the white base and pre-treatment add a little more feel to the print.
Minimum order
There's no minimum order for DTG. A single garment is fine, for samples, staff gifts, small team orders or testing a design.
Lead time
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available. We'll confirm your dispatch date on the quote. If you're working to an event or launch date, include it in your enquiry.
Artwork tips for DTG
- Resolution matters most. Supply images at 300 dpi at the size you want printed. A small web image enlarged to A3 will look blurry.
- Use transparent backgrounds. PNG files with transparency stop unwanted boxes printing around your design.
- Watch semi-transparent edges. Soft glows and faded edges can show a white halo on dark garments. We'll flag this on the proof.
- Allow for colour shift. DTG won't always match a screen or a Pantone swatch exactly. If colour accuracy is critical, ask for a sample first.
- Keep text readable. Avoid text below about 6 pt at print size and very thin strokes.
Print positions
All positions are described as worn.
- Left or right chest: small logos, usually 8–10 cm wide.
- Centre front: up to roughly A3, depending on the garment size.
- Full back: up to roughly A3.
- Back neck: a small logo or website.
- Sleeve: a narrow print on the upper arm, depending on the garment.
- Tote bags: the main face of the bag.
Washing and care
Turn garments inside out, wash at 30°C and avoid bleach and fabric conditioner. Line dry or tumble dry on low, and iron on the reverse only. The first wash can soften the print slightly, which is normal.
Popular uses for DTG
- Brand and band merch. Short runs of detailed artwork for online shops, tours and launches.
- Staff and team t-shirts. A small team with a full-colour logo, or a one-off design for a company day or fundraiser.
- Samples before a bigger run. Print one or two pieces to check the look and fit, then move to screen printing for volume if it makes sense.
- Personalised pieces. Leaving gifts, awards and celebration t-shirts where each garment carries a different name or photo.
- Event t-shirts. Detailed event artwork in smaller quantities, such as a club weekend or a charity walk with a mixed list of sizes.
If your order grows, we can move it to another method without changing the artwork.
Using DTG with other methods
One garment can carry more than one method. A common example is an embroidered left-chest logo on a cotton hoodie with a full-colour DTG print on the back. Combined orders go through one proof, one quote and one delivery.
DTG within our digital range
DTG sits alongside DTF in our digital printing range. For names, numbers and special-effect finishes, see vinyl printing. If you're unsure which to choose, read our guide to DTF, DTG, screen printing and embroidery, or just send us the brief and we'll recommend one.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for DTG printing?
No. DTG has no minimum order. You can order one garment.
What fabrics can you DTG print on?
DTG works best on 100% cotton and high-cotton blends. For polyester and performance fabrics we usually recommend DTF instead.
Can you DTG print on black t-shirts?
Yes. Dark garments are pre-treated and printed with a white base layer.
How long does DTG printing last?
With the right care (inside out, 30°C, no conditioner, no direct ironing), a DTG print lasts well. Colours may soften slightly over many washes.
How long does a DTG order take?
Typically 5–7 working days from approval and payment, subject to stock. Express delivery is available.
Can I print a photograph?
Yes. DTG is one of the best methods for photographs and detailed artwork, as long as the image is high resolution.
Should I choose DTG or DTF?
Choose DTG for a soft feel on cotton and DTF for polyester, blends, bags, caps and very bright colour on dark garments. We'll recommend the better fit when we quote.
Ready to price your job? Tell us the garment, quantity, sizes, artwork and the date you need it, and we'll come back with a method, a price and a proof.