Direct to Garment Printing

Direct to garment printing, also known as digital printing, is the process of creating vibrant, full-color designs directly onto garments.

What is Direct to Garment Printing?

Direct to garment printing operates much like traditional PC inkjet printing, utilizing similar printers and processes. However, instead of paper, garments are used as the canvas.

1. Start by creating your design on a computer, ensuring it's in a high-quality format, often using software like Adobe Photoshop.
2. Choose the garments that will be printed, which are pre-treated to help the inks adhere to the fabric evenly.
3. Allow the pre-treated garments to dry, ensuring the treatment sets properly.
4. Upload your designs to our compatible software for our machinery.
5. Lay the garment completely flat to avoid any printing errors.
6. Send the garment through the printer, resulting in a print that precisely matches the digital design.
7. After printing, set the garment aside for 2-3 minutes at 170°C to cure the inks into the fabric.

 

When to Use Direct to Garment Printing

Direct to garment printing excels when intricate or complex designs need to be printed. It works well with all colors of garments, including whites and blacks, without compromising print quality. Unlike some methods, direct to garment printing embeds the design into the fabric, resulting in a soft-to-touch finish. It's ideal:

• For short runs, with no setup fees or minimum order quantities, making it perfect for printing 1 to 50 garments.
• When working with dark-colored garments, as it has no limitations with dark colors.
• For intricate designs, preserving all details and colors without loss of resolution.
• With garments composed of various materials, offering versatility (best with at least 80% cotton).
• When you need a quick turnaround; direct to garment printing can be completed on the same day as the order.

 

When Not to Use Direct to Garment Printing

Direct to garment printing may not be suitable if:

• You require exceptionally bright and vibrant colors, as color codes used during printing can lead to variations.
• You prefer a design without a clear cut-off line, as pre-treatment can result in staining around the design.
• You have a large number of orders, as it may become costly for large volumes of garments.
• You are printing on sports shirts, typically made of polyester, which isn't compatible with this method.
• Precise design placement is essential, as direct to garment printing offers limited placement options.

 

Direct to garment printing is an excellent choice for many cases. However, for large orders, vivid colors, or specific requirements, we offer alternative printing methods to suit your needs. Contact The Shirt Shack at 01305 759424 and get your direct to garment order as quickly as today!