Direct printing on textile apparel is a relatively new technology. It became commercially available in 2005, but has only recently become a viable alternative to traditional production methods. As the name implies, direct to garment printing or DTG (Direct to Garment). The way it works is quite simple: a design or image is printed in the same way that a computer printer prints on paper, although the ink is injected into the fibers of the fabric.
This means that digital direct print (DTG) printed parts are especially soft to the touch (especially white parts) complex or with many colors and when the quantities are few to use the serigraphic method. If you are looking for direct to garment printing in Dallas then you can choose us for the best services.
Advantages of direct printing
Direct printing offers a number of advantages over other traditional printing methods.
- Wide variety of color options
- Can be used for images with a lot of detail
- Extremely fast process
- Excellent for medium and short quantity productions
- Low initial production costs
- Works on colored clothes too
- Precise reproduction and high-quality results
- Water-based inks, making it environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages of direct printing
- Limited to cotton garments or at least 50% cotton
- Not profitable for large productions
- For large quantities it can be a little slower than other methods
- Limitation on accurate reproduction of some shades of colors in your design
History
Direct digital printing (DTG) not only emerged in the mid-2000s, with inkjet printing technologies being developed from the 1950s onwards, it can be said that DTG has been in development for a long time. After the arrival of inkjet printers in the late 1980s, this technology spent a few decades in development, trying to adapt the technology used to print on paper for the clothing industry. DTG was first introduced in 2004, but it wasn’t until the following year that white ink was invented; previously DTG could only be used to print on white or light clothing.
Since then, the technology has diversified and changed, becoming a common method of printing.
How it works
Before printing, there are some initial steps that are essential for printing, such as: proper preparation of the file, then dark pieces that will use white ink need to be treated with a liquid called pre-treatment, which creates a base for ink to penetrate and set in the fibres. It is important after the pre-treatment process to carry out drying in a press or heat tunnel.
From here your design will be sent by computer to the printer. The part is placed on the printer. If your design is being printed on dark clothing, a layer of white ink will be applied first.
Now it’s time to print. This process is pretty much the same as an inkjet printer for paper.
In the final step of the process, the print is heat-cured to ensure the ink is dry and stays within the fibers of the garment. The piece will be placed in a heat press or heat tunnel reaching a temperature where it will bind the ink to the fabric.
And that’s it!, the direct digital printing process or DTG is completed and your piece is ready to be used!
Points to Consider
DTG is a simple and straightforward method of printing t-shirts or other cotton garments. It is ideal for drawings or images with multiple colors and complex patterns. Unlike screen printing, there are no frame preparation or opening costs. This often makes it a much cheaper option for short runs or projects that have a short production time; Bulk prints is where DTG gets more expensive.
If you need a print job with a short turnaround time, our direct digital textile printing service is just right for you.
What is direct fabric printing?
Unlike serigraphy, which uses a screen as a matrix, and sublimation, in which a print is transferred from paper to fabric, direct printing, as the name implies, is a printing technique made through a fabric printer that prints the design directly onto the part. It works like a common inkjet, except that, instead of generating the final product on paper, it applies the pigment to the surface of the fabric.
To obtain the best result in stamping, some steps must be respected. The first step is pre-treatment and curing, which is properly prepared to receive fabric printing. Then, the design must be created through graphic software. Then simply place the fabric over the printer’s hoop and let the printer stamp the artwork instantly. To finish the process, the post-treatment is carried out, which consists of closing the fibers of the material, allowing the definitive fixation of the print.
Why choose digital printing?
As the ink is applied directly to the fabric and introduced between its fibers, not depending on a screen or paper matrix, the technique is faster and the result is longer lasting. In addition, the digital printing process is more sustainable and economical, as it uses a much smaller amount of water and energy.
The DTG printer is also considered more versatile, since, as it is not limited to an exact number of colors, sizes or clear backgrounds, it gives more possibilities for creating prints, allowing different types of personalized designs according to each client.
