Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a method of printing digital images directly onto fabric using specialized inkjet technology. This technique is widely used in the apparel industry for creating custom designs on garments, especially T-shirts. Here's a more detailed breakdown of DTG printing:

Process:

Preparation: The garment, usually made of cotton or a cotton blend, is placed on a flatbed printer.

Pre-Treatment: For darker garments, a pre-treatment solution is applied to help the ink adhere better and ensure vibrant colors.

Printing: A digital printer applies the design directly onto the fabric using water-based inks. The printer moves back and forth across the garment, depositing the ink in the desired pattern.

Curing: After printing, the garment is usually heat-pressed to cure the ink, ensuring it sets properly and increases durability.

Advantages:

High Quality: DTG printing can produce detailed, high-resolution images with a wide color gamut.

Versatility: It's suitable for complex designs with multiple colors and gradients.

Environmentally Friendly: The water-based inks used in DTG printing are generally more eco-friendly than traditional plastisol inks used in screen printing.

Limitations:

Fabric Compatibility: Works best on 100% cotton fabrics. Blends and synthetic fabrics can be printed on but may not produce as vibrant results.

Cost Efficiency for Large Orders: DTG is less cost-effective than screen printing for very large orders due to the higher per-unit cost.