Custom Apparel Printing is a popular way for companies to promote their brand, sell products and reward employees or clients. It’s a booming business that requires specialized printing technology, such as Digital Textile Printing or Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing. This cutting-edge method prints high-resolution graphics directly onto fabrics and other garments. Unlike other traditional methods, this technique is ideal for printing on demand. Its popularity in the t-shirt and apparel customization market has driven the growth of specialized DTG printer services such as NW Custom Apparel.
Whether you’re starting an online store or looking to expand your apparel print shop’s capabilities, offering Print-on-Demand (PoD) is a great option for your business. But with the wide range of options available, deciding which type of printing to offer can be a challenge. To make the best decision, consider your target market and the types of products you want to print. This will help you choose between screen printing and DTG printing.
Screen printing is a more traditional method of t-shirt customization, in which each color in a design is separated and burned to individual fine-mesh screens. The screens are then used to apply ink to the shirt. Once the ink has dried, the shirts can be finished and shipped to customers. This process can be expensive for large orders because a different screen must be made for each color and location in the design, but it’s relatively inexpensive once you’ve created a screen for a specific garment.
Direct-to-garment, or DTG, printing is an advanced method of printing that works similar to an inkjet printer you might use at home or work. The DTG printer uses special garment ink to print the design onto the fabric. Before the shirt is printed, it must be pre-treated to remove any moisture and creases. Once the shirt has been treated, it’s ready to be loaded into the printer and printed with a single color or multi-color graphic. The DTG printing process is ideal for producing a variety of designs and colors with crisp, vibrant results.
DTG is also ideal for producing custom t-shirts in small batches, making it more cost-efficient than screen printing for smaller orders. For this reason, DTG printing is often chosen for individual or team sports jerseys, event giveaways and other customized apparel for businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations. Typically, DTG prints are made of high-quality cotton, polyester or blends that maintain their shape after repeated washing. DTG printing can also be used for other products, including tote bags and posters. To produce quality images, raster or vector graphics must be supplied at a minimum of 150 dots per inch (DPI) for the image to appear sharp and clear. For maximum detail, it’s recommended to print at 300 DPI or higher.
Outsourcing printing tasks allows individuals and businesses to save time. Printing services can handle large volumes of printing quickly and efficiently, freeing up time for clients to focus on other aspects of their work. By leveraging the expertise and capabilities of a local print services professionals, individuals and businesses can enjoy these advantages, resulting in high-quality, customized, and cost-effective printed materials.