Glossary · Processes

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DTG (Direct to Garment)

A textile print in which a special inkjet printer prints the design directly onto the garment, with no film or paper in between.

Explained in more detail

In DTG printing, the textile lies flat in the printer, and the printer prints textile ink directly onto the fabric. Cotton is the most suitable. For dark textiles and wherever white is printed, the fabric needs pretreatment: it stops the ink from sinking in and ensures that the white ink holds. Pretreatment and the finished print are fixed with a heat press or a conveyor dryer.

Where does the term come from?

English direct to garment, "directly onto the garment". Garment means an item of clothing.

In practice

• For dark shirts, pretreatment is part of the process, and without it the white ink does not hold.
• The pretreatment must be completely dry and fixed before printing; Brother names a heat press or conveyor dryer for this.
• Temperatures and times for pretreatment and fixing are given by the manufacturer of the printer and of the pretreatment, and the figures differ.

Not to be confused

DTG prints directly onto the textile, DTF onto a film that is then pressed on. Sublimation dyes polyester using paper and heat.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DTG and DTF?

DTG prints directly onto the textile without film, mainly on cotton, but needs pretreatment for dark fabrics. DTF prints onto film, adheres to many fabrics without pretreatment and sits on top as a thin layer.