What is Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing?
Direct to garment printers, also known as DTG printers or digital garment printers, are designed to print directly onto cotton based shirts, caps, bags, pillow cases, home furnishings and promotional items using specialised inkjet technology.
DTG inkjet garment printing is more economical, faster, and cleaner than traditional screen printing methods, plus it requires significantly less operating space and business start-up costs. Decorators and t-shirt designers can create one of a kind masterpieces or mass production runs - regardless of the number of colours - without having to create film positives, stretching screens, and using chemicals to reclaim screens.
Pairing a DTG solution with an automatic pre-treatment machine is recommended to improve productivity and ensure consistent pre-treatment of dark textiles. Printers running higher volumes with multiple machines should also consider investing in a tunnel dryer to improve curing productivity and result in a softer handle of the print.
See our extensive range of DTG supplies
Direct to Garment (DTG) Printers
Pre-Treatment Machines
Direct to Garment Consumables, Accessories & Inks
Heat Transfer Presses
Tunnel Dryers
DTG printing applications
Print over zippers, seams and pockets
Customize different types of footwear (attachment required)
Personalize a variety of accessories
Print on jeans and denim
Print on the crown and bill of headwear (attachment required)
Simple steps to success
1 Create
Design your artwork on a computer
2 Pre-Treat if printing onto dark textiles
Use a spray system or an automatic pre-treatment machine to apply a layer of pre-treatment to the print area
3 Cure Pre-Treat if printing onto dark textiles
Heat press the pre-treated textile to bond the solution to the textile
4 Print
Print out the artwork directly onto your textile
5 Cure Print
Use a heat press or tunnel dryer to fix the printed ink. A tunnel dryer will result in a softer hand to the print textile
How easy is it to use a DTG printer?
What do I need for a DTG solution?
How much does it cost to print a shirt on DTG printer?
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dark T-Shirt | $5.00 |
| Inks | $4.03 |
| Pre-Treatment Solution | $0.35 |
| Labour | $0.65 |
| Maintenance | $0.40 |
| Total | $10.43 |
| Average Sell Price | $28.00 |
| Profit | $17.57 |
* Estimates only using a 35x40cm test image printed onto a dark garment using CMYK+W inks. All prices exclude GST.
What is the return on investment of a DTG printer?
Using the below points as an example you can potentially break even after just 10 months!
- Direct-to-Garment Printer value: $16,450
- Printing: 5 single-sided shirts a day for 5 days every week
- Average sell price: $28.00 each
* Estimates only and does not take into account your personal situation, overhead expenses and other variable costs. Please conduct your own calculations. All prices exclude GST.
Customer case studies
Push Productions: Providing Opportunity Through Print
Reinvention isn't just a business strategy for Push Productions, it's part of its DNA. The Sunshine Coast print shop has had a colourful and diverse history spanning more than twenty years. Read how GJS has helped Push Productions expand into new markets and bring employment opportunities to the local community.
Dose Ink: A business built with a Brother GT-3
A Brother GT-3 garment printer from GJS is forming the cornerstone of a new business venture by three enterprising young men with their finger on the pulse of both the printing and music industry.
Further information
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