Direct to garment printing is also known as dtg digital printing. It uses the latest technology which had become available in different market by now. Contrary to the traditional process which requires too much labor like embroidery or screen printing, DTG uses the inkjet printing technology which sends the full color with the detailed design away of the computer, to the digital printer and the garment will be loaded inside. The use of this technique makes it easy to create the high quality and printed garments without the need of having high level skills. There is no need to be trained or to have too much experience.
You have to let the technology to take up the costly labor with the extended training. With the DTG printing, only one person may take up the order; print all the items after preparing everything and he will be ready to move to another job.
Many people prefer this type of printing since it requires unlimited color options with design for the reproduction. It is efficient for one-offs or short runs. It is easy and quick to print. It has faster output and it can respond well the market trends. It has seamless printing with the overlap over the zipper and delicate garments. It reduces the labor with the training requirements. It is easy to set up, even in small space.
DGT printing process
Pre treating and curing of the garment
If you need to print using the white ink, you should apply the pre-treat according to which type of the clothing you are using. You can cure the solution you used, using a dryer or a heat press to make sure that the surface can be flat printed.
Preparing of the digital Art
You should load the artwork in the GTX graphics lab software. The lab will allow you to position an image, to add any text and to do distress layers. It will enable you in making the adjustments on the image before you can send the file by the use of the GTX print driver. You may also print directly using the graphic software.
Printing
Dress a platen using the garment you want to print on and substrate before you press on the print.
Curing of the ink away of the garment
You can place a printed garment at the heat press one more time or you may use the forced air dryer to cure ink. This is to ensure that ink had cured completely at the garment and you can wash it as you wish.
When you use dtg digital printing, you will be able to save enough money, while the custom made t-shirts may be costing up to 20 dollars, the highest price of DTG printing is 3 dollars. The price of the machine is also low compared to the inkjet technology. The screen printing is not ideal for something who is doing quick order because it requires too much time, the process will need too much time as the upfront labor and the skills to set the unit up. However with dtg digital printing, this is not the case.