The Ultimate Guide to Custom DTG Printing: From Technology to T-Shirt
Introduction: Your Straight-to-the-Point Guide to Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing
With over 27 years in the clothing industry, we’ve seen many technologies come and go. Direct to Garment (DTG) printing has changed the game for custom apparel forever.
Think of it as an advanced inkjet printer that prints directly onto fabric instead of paper.
Its greatest strength is producing vibrant, highly detailed, multi-color designs without complex setup. This makes it perfect for custom DTG printing, especially for small orders, online stores, and one-of-a-kind items.
In this guide, we’ll give you expert insights on the technology, process, pros and cons, and how to choose what’s right for your brand.
The Science Behind the Seam: How DTG Printing Technology Works
DTG printing uses special inkjet printheads to apply water-based inks directly onto garments. These inks are made to be absorbed by the fabric’s fibers, giving DTG prints their soft, breathable feel.
This is different from screen printing, where the ink sits on top of the fabric rather than soaking in. For dark or colored garments, printers first apply a white ink layer.
This base layer works like a primer to make sure the colors on top appear bright and don’t sink into the dark fabric. The technology keeps getting better, with improvements in ink and machine precision.
The basic process has four main steps:
- Garment Pre-treatment: A special liquid is applied so ink sticks better
- White Underbase (on darks): Creates a blank surface for bright colors
- CMYK Color Layer: The full-color design prints on top
- Curing: Heat sets the ink permanently into the fabric
Pro Tip: ChengLin is ideal for brands looking for reliability, quality, and creativity in DTG printing. Here’s a comprehensive look at why ChengLin should be your first choice for custom DTG printing services.
A Balanced View: The Advantages and Disadvantages of DTG
No printing method works perfectly for every project. Your success depends on choosing the right method for your needs.
Here’s our honest breakdown of where DTG works well and where it has limits.
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
|---|---|
| Unlimited Colors & High Detail | Fabric Limitations |
| Perfect for photographs, intricate artwork, and gradients without extra cost. | Works best on high-cotton content fabrics. Not suitable for 100% polyester. |
| Soft Hand Feel | Cost at Scale |
| The ink is part of the fabric, so the print is breathable and not heavy. | More expensive per unit than screen printing for very large orders (hundreds or thousands). |
| No Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) | Precise Color Matching |
| Ideal for one-offs, samples, and print-on-demand businesses. | Achieving an exact Pantone (PMS) color match can be challenging. |
| Quick & Simple Setup | Durability on Darks |
| The process is entirely digital, so there are no screens or lengthy setup times. | While very good, a print on a dark garment may show wear faster than screen printing if not cared for properly. |
| Eco-Friendlier Option | |
| Uses non-toxic water-based inks and produces very little waste. |
Custom DTG Printing for Apparel Brands
We offer high-quality DTG printing services for a wide range of apparel products. Choose us as your one-stop DTG printing partner for vibrant, detailed, and durable designs. Here’s what we offer:
Premium Cotton for DTG Printing
Soft, breathable, and highly absorbent — our premium cotton fabrics are the perfect canvas for vibrant, long-lasting DTG prints. Ideal for t-shirts, hoodies, and other custom apparel, this fabric ensures sharp detail and color accuracy while maintaining comfort and durability. Over 70% of our clients prefer cotton for its printability and skin-friendly qualities, making it the top choice for brands that value both quality and feel.
Promotional & Corporate Apparel Printing
Elevate your brand presence with high-quality DTG printing for promotional and corporate apparel. Whether you're customizing uniforms, branded t-shirts, or event giveaways, our direct-to-garment prints deliver sharp logos, vivid colors, and lasting impressions. Perfect for startups, events, and enterprise branding, we help you turn every garment into a professional statement.
Custom Printed Jeans with DTG Technology
Bring bold creativity to denim. Our DTG printing technology allows for high-resolution, full-color designs directly on denim jeans — ideal for streetwear, fashion collections, and custom branding. Whether it’s logos, artwork, or statement graphics, DTG on denim offers a unique way to stand out while maintaining the rugged durability of classic jeans. Perfect for fashion-forward brands that want to combine tradition with innovation.
Custom Printed Tote Bags with DTG Technology
Turn everyday essentials into statement pieces. Our DTG printing technology brings your artwork, logos, and custom graphics to life on high-quality cotton tote bags. With vibrant colors, sharp detail, and excellent wash durability, DTG is the perfect choice for eco-friendly brands, merch drops, and promotional events. Ideal for businesses that want to combine functionality with bold visual branding — no minimums, no limits.
Custom Sweater Printing with DTG Technology
Add bold, full-color designs to cotton-blend sweaters with our DTG printing. Perfect for streetwear, seasonal collections, or merch drops. Soft, breathable, and durable — with no minimum order required.
Fabrics Suitable for DTG Printing
The key to vibrant, high-quality DTG prints starts with the right fabric. DTG printing performs best on 100% cotton and high-cotton blends with smooth, tightly woven surfaces. These fabrics absorb water-based inks effectively, resulting in sharp detail, rich color, and long-lasting prints. Whether you're printing t-shirts, hoodies, or tote bags, choosing the right fabric ensures both visual impact and comfort.
Your Expert Partner in Custom Apparel
Now that you understand direct to garment printing, the next step is finding a partner with experience to bring your vision to life. That’s where we come in.
With 27 years in the clothing industry and 15 years of SEO expertise, we at ChengLin Clothing don’t just print garments—we build brands. We understand both making great apparel and helping it get noticed.
We offer premium custom DTG printing services focused on quality, reliability, and partnership. We’ve helped countless entrepreneurs and established brands create exceptional products.
Ready to create amazing custom apparel? Visit us at ChengLin Clothing to learn more and start your project today.
From Design File to Finished Garment: The DTG Process Step-by-Step
Bringing a digital design to a physical garment takes careful work. Over time, we’ve improved our process to ensure quality at every step.
Let’s look at how your project moves from file to finished product.
Step 1: Artwork Preparation
Everything begins with the digital file. We check each design to make sure it will print well.
This means looking for high resolution (300 DPI is standard), checking that transparency is handled correctly, and making sure the colors will work on the garment. Good preparation leads to better prints.
Step 2: Fabric Pre-Treatment
This step is critical but often overlooked. Before printing, the garment gets a thin, even layer of pre-treatment liquid.
This liquid is essential—it helps the DTG ink stick properly, look vibrant, and last through many washes. Without good pre-treatment, prints look faded and wash out quickly.
Step 3: Printing
The garment is flattened and secured on the printer. For dark shirts, the machine prints the white base layer first.
Right after, it prints all the colors on top. Modern machines like a dtg printing 8100 ensure perfect alignment between these layers.
Step 4: Curing
Once printed, we move the garment to a conveyor dryer or large heat press. It’s heated to about 320-340°F for a specific amount of time.
This curing process dries the water from the ink and permanently bonds the color to the cotton fibers. Heat setting is essential for a long-lasting print.
Step 5: Quality Control & Shipping
Every finished product undergoes a thorough check. We inspect each print for color accuracy, detail, and any flaws in the garment.
Only products that pass inspection get folded, packaged, and shipped to customers.
Choosing Your Canvas: The Best Fabrics for DTG Printing
The most important factor for good DTG prints is the fabric itself. DTG ink works best with natural fibers.
Here’s our guide to choosing the right fabric:
Excellent: 100% Ringspun Cotton. This is the best choice for DTG. Ringspun cotton has a tighter weave and smoother surface than regular cotton, allowing for maximum detail and bright colors.
Good: High-Cotton Blends (e.g., 80% Cotton / 20% Polyester). These still provide a good printing surface. The print may be slightly less vibrant than on 100% cotton, but still looks great.
Use with Caution: 50/50 Blends (50% Cotton / 50% Polyester). Printing on these is possible, but the ink only sticks to the cotton fibers. This creates a naturally faded, vintage look.
Avoid: 100% Polyester, Nylon, Rayon, and other Synthetics. Standard DTG inks won’t bond with these materials. The ink will wash away.
Real feedback from customers all over the world about ChengLin Clothing Manufacturer.
Communication & Production
How to Start Working with ChengLin Clothing Manufacturer?
3X
Your order is triple checked by our team prior to production and before shipment
Request a Free Quote & Consultation
Hit us up for a free quote. We’ll discuss your requirements — design, quantity, timing — and put a plan in place that works.
Submit Your Custom Design & Requirements
- Choosing Activewear Material
- Selecting the right Carft for the design
- Payment for samples
- Sample production after determining the color, size, and accessories of the sample
Receive Sample Prototypes for Approval
- Are the fabrics satisfactory?
- Does the craftsmanship live up to the design?
- Are there any changes that need to be made to the colors, sizes, and accessories?
- Details of large orders
Bulk Production & Delivery Process
- Payment of deposit for large orders
- Large Order Production Progress Inquiry
- Final payment upon completion of production
- Choose the right shipping method, pay the shipping fee, ship the goods
FAQ
What fabrics work best for custom DTG printing?
100% ringspun cotton provides the best results for DTG printing. High-cotton blends (80% cotton/20% polyester) also work well. 50/50 blends create a vintage look, while 100% synthetic fabrics like polyester should be avoided as standard DTG inks won’t bond properly with these materials.
Chenglin Clothing Factory – How do you maintain the quality of your activewear production?
Chenglin follows a multi-staged quality control procedure from testing of the fabric, to sewing inspections to examining the finished garment to ensure that defect rates are below industry average.
Is there a minimum order quantity for direct to garment printing?
One of the biggest advantages of DTG printing is that there is no minimum order quantity. This makes it perfect for one-offs, small batches, testing new designs, event merchandise, or creating personalized gifts with maximum flexibility.
How do I care for garments with DTG printing to ensure longevity?
To maximize the lifespan of DTG printed items: turn garments inside out before washing, use cold water on gentle cycles with mild detergent (no bleach or fabric softeners), tumble dry on low heat or hang-dry, and never iron directly on the printed area.
What are the environmental benefits of custom direct to garment printing?
DTG printing is environmentally friendly as it uses non-toxic, biodegradable water-based pigment inks without harmful PVCs or phthalates. Its on-demand nature reduces textile waste from overproduction, making it a more sustainable choice for custom apparel production in 2025.
DTG Printing Manufacturer Offer
ChengLin DTG Printing Manufacturer was created to provide helpful service, simple streamlined ordering & eco-friendly options. A company with transparent prices & ethics, a company that aims to create good things.
ChengLin Manufacturer Difference
ChengLin was created, to provide helpful service, simple streamlined ordering & eco-friendly options. A company with transparent prices & ethics, a company who aims to create good things.
Innovative Ideas
ChengLin is proud to be a leading partner in the promotional products + fashion industry. With unique ideas + out of the box printing methods.
We Stand Behind Our Work
Our main goal is to provide peace of mind so you can relax and have confidence that your job will come out exactly as you had imagined.
Quality Over Quantity
ChengLin believes in quality over quantity and we want our customers to feel the same way.
Dedicated Reps
Each account receives a dedicated rep who can be reached face to face by phone or via e-mail.
Long Lasting Relationships
We value all of our clients and aim to solidify long lasting & mutually beneficial relationships.