Direct to garment printing
Direct to Garment Printing
Full-colour digital printing directly onto cotton and blended apparel for detailed artwork.
Facts
- Category
- Digital garment printing service
- Format
- agreed individually
- Start date
- on request
- Price
- on request
Description
Direct to garment printing applies water-based inks straight onto the fabric with a digital print head, much like an inkjet printer works on paper. Because the image is built from individual colour dots rather than separated screens, it can reproduce photographic detail, soft gradients and small type without simplifying the artwork.
This method suits cotton and cotton-blend apparel, where the ink bonds well with the fibres after curing. The result has a soft hand feel, since the print sits within the fabric rather than forming a thick layer on top. Light and dark garments can both be printed, although dark fabrics usually need a white underbase so that the colours remain true.
Direct to garment printing is a practical choice for short runs, single pieces and designs with many colours. Artwork should be supplied as a high-resolution file with a transparent background where needed, and the design should be checked on the chosen garment colour before production begins.
Programme
Artwork review
The design file is checked for resolution, colour mode, transparency and line thickness so that fine details survive the printing process.
Garment selection
The fabric composition, weight and colour are confirmed, since they affect ink absorption, the need for an underbase and the final appearance.
Pre-treatment and printing
The garment is pre-treated where required, positioned on the platen and printed in one pass, with a white underbase applied first on dark fabrics.
Curing and inspection
The ink is cured with heat to bond it to the fibres, and each piece is inspected for registration, colour consistency and print edges.
Who it is for
-
Independent designers
Designers who work with photographic or illustrative artwork and need the tonal range reproduced faithfully on a small batch of garments.
-
Small teams and clubs
Groups ordering limited quantities of apparel with detailed emblems, names or artwork that would be costly to separate into screens.
-
Businesses testing designs
Organisations that want to review a finished print on a real garment before committing to a larger order of branded clothing.
FAQ
Which fabrics work best for this method?
Cotton and cotton-blend garments generally give the most consistent results, because the water-based ink bonds well with natural fibres. Fabric weight and finish should be confirmed before printing.
Can dark garments be printed in full colour?
Yes. A white underbase is usually printed first so that the colours appear vivid on dark fabric. The underbase adds a slight layer of ink, which should be considered when choosing a design with large solid areas.
What file format should I send?
A high-resolution file with a transparent background is generally preferred. Vector or PNG files are commonly used. Details such as the intended print size should be confirmed when placing the request.
Is direct to garment printing suitable for large orders?
It is well suited to short runs and individual pieces. For very large quantities, other printing methods may be compared, and the most suitable option can be discussed on request.