What Is Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing? How It Works and When to Use It

If you’ve ever wanted to print high-quality, full-color images directly onto t-shirts, hoodies, or other garments—without color or size restrictions—Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing might be the perfect solution. In this article, we’ll break down what DTG printing is, how it works, and when it’s the best choice for your apparel business.

What Is DTG Printing?

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is a digital printing method that allows you to print full-color designs directly onto textiles, usually cotton-based garments, using a specialized inkjet printer. Think of it like printing a photo on paper—but instead, you’re printing it on a shirt.

Unlike screen printing, which requires separate layers for each color and a lengthy setup process, DTG prints your design in a single pass. That means no screens, no color separations, and no setup fees.

How Does DTG Printing Work?

Here’s a quick step-by-step overview of how DTG printing works:

1. Pre-Treat the Garment

A special pre-treatment liquid is applied to the garment to help the ink bond properly and achieve vibrant results—especially on dark fabrics.

2. Load the Garment

Once pre-treated and dried (usually with a heat press or conveyor dryer), the garment is carefully loaded onto the printer’s platen.

3. Print the Design

Using a DTG printer—like the Brother GTX Pro series—your design is printed directly onto the fabric using water-based pigmented inks. On dark garments, the printer will lay down a white underbase first.

4. Cure the Ink

After printing, the garment is heat-pressed or cured in a dryer to set the ink permanently.

DTG vs Other Printing Methods

When Should You Use DTG Printing?

DTG shines in these scenarios:

• Print-on-demand businesses

• Etsy or Shopify sellers offering unique or personalized designs

• Limited-edition drops or small-batch runs

• Custom artwork or photo-quality prints

• Test marketing new designs without bulk production

Why DTG Is the Perfect Addition to Any Apparel Decorating Business

No matter what kind of decoration you already offer—screen printing, embroidery, heat transfers—adding DTG printing expands what you can do, increases your profit potential, and delivers more value to your customers. Here’s why:

✅ Serve Smaller Orders Profitably
Screen printing is ideal for high volumes, but DTG shines when customers want just a few pieces—or even a single shirt. With no screens to burn or films to produce, you can accept one-offs and micro orders without eating into your margins.

✅ Offer Unlimited Personalization
Embroidery is perfect for logos and monograms, but DTG allows you to print full-color artwork, gradients, and photo-realistic images quickly. Personalized gifts, fan merch, and custom drops become easy revenue streams.

✅ Quick Turnaround Times
Because DTG doesn’t require lengthy setups, you can produce samples or last-minute orders faster than traditional methods alone. This helps you stand out in a crowded market.

✅ Complement Existing Equipment
DTG doesn’t replace your other processes—it complements them. Many successful shops combine DTG with screen printing for hybrid production: screen print large runs, DTG the small ones, or print custom tags. And pairing embroidery with DTG creates high-end mixed-media apparel that commands premium pricing.

✅ Meet Modern Customer Expectations
Today’s buyers expect flexibility, customization, and speed. Adding DTG helps you deliver all three without reinventing your business.

At Hirsch Solutions, we specialize in helping apparel decorators integrate DTG seamlessly—so you can start profiting right away without disrupting your existing workflow.

Which DTG Printer Is Right for You?

At Hirsch Solutions, we recommend the Brother GTX Pro Series for serious DTG users. It’s fast, reliable, and offers on-demand production with minimal maintenance—perfect for businesses that want to scale quickly.

Fun Fact: Brands like Nike and American Apparel use DTG to produce custom designs at scale. You can, too—with the right setup and support.

Want to Learn More or See It in Action?

Browse our selection of DTG equipment here or schedule a demo to experience it firsthand. Our experts can help you choose the right machine for your goals, whether you’re just getting started or expanding your operation.

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