Print techniques in detail
DTG (Direct to Garment)
Ink printed directly onto the fabric with a specialized printer — like an inkjet for clothing. Extremely high detail, soft hand-feel, photo-quality reproduction.
Direct-to-Garment prints ink straight onto the fabric with a specialized inkjet head, capable of millions of colors and photo-quality detail. No setup fees, no screens, MOQ of 1. Best for one-off custom orders, short runs, or any artwork that's detailed, photographic, or full of subtle gradients. Soft hand-feel because the ink dyes the cotton fibers rather than sitting on top.
Why pick this
DTG (Direct to Garment)
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Extremely high detail
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Smooth gradients, photo-quality prints
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Soft hand-feel on cotton
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Best for complex artwork
DTG (Direct to Garment) printing uses specialized inkjet heads to lay water-based ink directly into the fabric, similar in concept to a desktop photo printer but built for textiles. The ink dyes the cotton fibers rather than sitting on top of them, so prints feel soft to the touch and can reproduce millions of colors with photographic detail. Unlike silk screen, DTG needs no screens and no setup fees, which makes it the right tool for one-offs, custom single-name pieces, and artwork too detailed for traditional screen printing.
Brands choose DTG when flexibility matters more than per-unit cost. You can order a single piece for sampling, test designs before committing to a full run, or fulfill print-on-demand drops with no inventory risk. Production MOQ starts at 10 pieces, with lead times of 7-14 days for tees once you approve the included sample. Express turnaround is available with a 15-25% rush fee. Our own factory in the Bangkok area handles file prep, garment pretreatment, printing, curing, and packing in-house, keeping quality consistent from first proof to final ship.
DTG pairs best with 100% cotton — our Combed 20s, Combed 30s, and Supersoft jersey are ideal. The inks are formulated for natural fibers, so blends and polyester won't hit the same color saturation. With 27 years of production experience and 200+ brands behind us, including Toyota, Mama, ThreeManDown, and Lemon Curd, we'll help you match the right fabric to the right technique before a single piece runs.
Best fits
- Pre-production samples before committing to a full run
- Print-on-demand and one-of-a-kind custom orders
- Photographic artwork, illustrations, and detailed gradients
- Small-batch merch for artists, bands, and creators
- Limited drops where photo-quality detail is the selling point
Frequently asked questions
- Can I really order just one DTG shirt, and what does it cost?
- Yes — there are no screen setup fees, so single pieces are possible. Per-unit cost is higher than screen printing since you can't spread setup across volume, but tiered pricing kicks in at 100+ pieces.
- Why does DTG need 100% cotton? Can it run on blends?
- DTG inks are formulated to bond with natural fibers, so Combed 20s or 30s give the deepest color. For blends or polyester we'll usually recommend DTF instead, which prints on any fabric type.
- Will DTG prints fade or peel after washing?
- The ink dyes the fibers rather than sitting on top, so it won't peel. Color brightness will mellow over the garment's lifetime — wash inside out in cold water to extend the print's life.
Not sure which technique fits?
Send us your design and run size; we'll come back with the right technique and a quote within 24 hours.