DTG printing for detailed, full-colour designs

Because the printer lays down the image digitally, a design with twenty colours costs the same effort as one with two. That makes DTG the natural pick for illustrations, photographs, detailed logos, band and brand merchandise, personalised gifts and short runs where every shirt might differ.

The ink soaks into the fibres rather than sitting heavily on top, so prints on cotton feel soft. If you need hundreds of the same simple logo, screen printing may be better value, and if you want to print on mixed or dark fabrics with a bold finish, DTF is worth comparing. We will tell you honestly which fits your quantity.

DTG printing suits small runs with lots of detail.

DTG works best on 100% cotton and high-cotton blends in light or dark colours. Typical jobs include:

• Custom T-shirts for events, teams and gifts
• Hoodies and sweatshirts with a detailed front or back print
• Fashion and streetwear pieces for small labels testing a design
• Printed tees for staff, clubs and fundraisers

Polyester and sportswear fabrics generally do not take DTG inks well. For those, ask us about sublimation. Tell us the garment and fabric you have in mind and we will confirm whether DTG is suitable before you commit.

DTG wants a sharp, high-resolution image at the actual print size, ideally 300 dpi. A transparent-background PNG is perfect for most designs; vector files are welcome too.

• Supply the artwork on a transparent background, not inside a white box, or the white will be treated as part of the design.
• Tell us the print size and position, for example A3 across the chest or a small left-chest mark.
• Very fine lines and pale tints can lose strength on dark garments, so we may suggest small adjustments.

Screens show colours brighter than fabric does, so expect slight differences between your monitor and the finished print. If your file is not print-ready, design help can be quoted separately.

DTG has no screen preparation, so it is often one of the quicker apparel methods. Actual timing still depends on capacity, quantity, garment availability, approved artwork, payment and the deadline you confirm, so we state it on the quote instead of promising it up front.

For urgent jobs, send the final file, sizes and deadline together. Collect from our Rivonia Central shop in Sandton once we confirm the order is ready, or ask for delivery to be quoted. Check the prints on collection and tell us right away if anything looks wrong.

Send your design and garment list and we will quote DTG printing in writing.