Print photographs, illustrations, gradients, and detailed designs.
Great for one custom shirt, samples, or small batches.
Digital printing directly onto the garment fabric.
What Exactly Is DTG Printing?
Direct-to-garment printing, or DTG, is a digital printing process that uses specialized inkjet technology to apply water-based textile inks directly onto clothing.
Unlike traditional screen printing, DTG doesn’t require a separate screen for each color. The artwork is sent digitally to the printer, allowing detailed, multicolor designs to be reproduced directly on the garment.
This makes DTG especially useful for custom T-shirts, artist merchandise, clothing brands, small orders, and print-on-demand fulfillment .
How Does DTG Printing Work?
Here’s a simplified look at what happens when we print a custom shirt at Top Banana USA.
Prepare the Artwork
We review the digital artwork, check resolution, and size the design for the garment.
Prepare the Shirt
We load the garment onto the printer. Designs requiring white ink also need pretreatment beforehand.
Print the Design
The DTG printer applies water-based inks directly onto the fabric to reproduce the artwork.
Cure the Ink
The printed garment is heat-cured to set the inks before final inspection and packing.
CMYK-Only vs. CMYK + White Printing
One of the biggest factors in DTG printing is the color of the garment. Light and dark shirts often require different printing approaches.
COLOR
CMYK-Only
Best suited for white, ash gray, light tan, and select light-colored garments. The fabric color can influence the finished print.
On suitable garments, this method doesn’t require white ink or pretreatment.
COLOR
CMYK + White
Ideal for black and darker garments. White ink provides a foundation that helps colors appear vibrant.
This process typically requires pretreatment and can produce a slightly heavier print feel.
Want a more detailed explanation? Read our guide to CMYK vs. CMYK + White DTG printing .
What Fabrics Work Best for DTG Printing?
Fabric selection plays a major role in print quality. Smooth, cotton-rich garments typically provide the best results.
100% Ring-Spun Cotton
Our preferred choice for DTG. Smooth fibers help create sharp, vibrant prints.
Cotton-Polyester Blends
Many blends can be printed, but results depend on the cotton content and surface. Colors may appear less vibrant.
Polyester & Performance Fabrics
Polyester-heavy garments are generally less suitable for our DTG process. We may recommend DTF printing instead.
How Big Can DTG Prints Be?
At Top Banana USA, we offer standard and oversized DTG printing options. The maximum usable print area also depends on the garment and placement.
Up to 14″ × 16″
Up to 16″ × 20″
These diagrams are illustrative and not drawn to scale. Actual print placement depends on the garment.
Advantages and Limitations of DTG Printing
Why Choose DTG?
- No minimum order quantity.
- Great for colorful artwork.
- Excellent for small batches.
- No separate screen setup.
- Suitable for print-on-demand.
- Soft feel on many cotton garments.
Things to Consider
- Best results on cotton-rich fabrics.
- Dark shirts require additional preparation.
- Not ideal for every polyester garment.
- Large runs may cost more than screen printing.
- Colors can vary with fabric and ink coverage.
- Proper garment care is important.
If you’re deciding between printing methods, compare our screen printing services with our DTG printing services .
DTG Printing FAQs
Does DTG Printing Last?
Yes. When properly printed, cured, and cared for, DTG designs can remain vibrant through repeated washing. Durability depends on fabric, artwork, and garment care.
Can You DTG Print on Black Shirts?
Absolutely. Dark shirts typically require pretreatment and a white ink underbase to make the artwork visible and vibrant.
Is DTG Better Than Screen Printing?
It depends on the order. DTG is especially useful for smaller quantities and detailed artwork, while screen printing often becomes more economical for larger runs.
Can You Print Just One Shirt?
Yes. We offer DTG printing with no minimum order, making it possible to print a single custom shirt or sample.
How Long Does DTG Printing Take?
Our typical turnaround is approximately 5 business days once payment and artwork are approved.