What is Direct to Garment (DTG) printing?
What is Direct to Garment (DTG) printing?
Learn about the history of dtg printing and its current market trends. Discover step-by-step the dtg printing process and realize why you should use dtg printing.
The history of DTG printing
Direct-to-Garment printing (DTG), also known as digital apparel printing, is a ground-breaking technology that surfaced in the late 90’s. Following in the footsteps of ordinary home printers, Direct-To-Garment printers print designs directly onto garments instead of paper. It, essentially, uses inkjet technology to print directly onto various textiles and garments, also well known for printing customized prints on t-shirts.
This fairly new technology surfaced in the USA in 1996 by Matthew Rhome’s first commercial DTG printer, the “Revolution”. Revolutionary for its time, originating from injection printers (1950) that were available in every office, Rhome started to wonder if they could print on various materials other than paper. Matthew Rhome was granted the first DTG patent in 2000. In 2005 white ink was introduced to the market, solving the problem of printing on dark garments. Trying to surpass screen printing’s limitations, between 2000-2013 Brother, Mimaki, Kornit and Polyprint introduced various DTG printers to the market as a worthwhile alternative to screen printing.
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Why use DTG printing?
DTG printing is the cost-effective way of printing on-demand, personalized garments for small-medium production runs. The lower the quantity and higher the color count, the more reason to use DTG printing for the job.
DTG Benefits
It’s Digital
With as little as a computer, printer and a heat press and you are ready to go. No separations, screen exposures or vinyl to week with DTG printing. The very low setup cost per job is what makes DTG printing the best option for small runs.
High print quality
Print the smallest detail, with multiple color options. Get a photo-realistic result in minutes. Also, the amount of color is endless with DTG and not dependent on how many colors you have on a press, like screen printing.
Personalization
Satisfy even the most demanding customer at the lowest cost. Provide turn-key solutions for their every need on the spot.
Optimized for short to medium productions
Direct-To-Garment printing is ideal for entry level businesses. Its automation and ease of use can produce short runs in minimum time without ink waste. Receive the optimum results with quick Return on Investment (ROI). Without difficulty, DTG can be incorporated into various business models with its wide variety of applications.
Eco-friendly
DTG printing allows low energy consumption and minimum ink waste. The water-based inks are environmentally friendly (OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT Certified) safe even for children.
General Information about Screen Printing Plastisol Inks RBY Prints
The most popular ink used in the garment printing industry is Plastisol ink. Screen printing plastisol ink is easy to print with, does not dry in the screen, is opaque on dark garments, and features great adhesion to t-shirts, athletic jerseys, hoodies, heat transfers, and most textiles in general.
Plastisols are made up of two primary ingredients – PVC resin (a white powder) and plasticizer (a thick, clear liquid). Plastisol ink will not dry, or cure, at normal temperatures. They must be exposed at a temperature around 300 – 330º F (143-166º C) to be properly cured (dried).
Plastisol ink can be printed on many items that can withstand the heat required to cure the ink and is porous enough to permit good ink adhesion. They do not dye the threads of a fabric like traditional dye material. Plastisol screen printing ink wraps around the fibers and makes a mechanical bond with the fabric. Screen printing plastisols will not adhere to non-porous substrates such as plastic, metal, wood and glass. They also will not adhere to water-proof nylon material without adding a bonding agent/catalyst.
Screen Printing Mesh Selection When Printing Plastisol Inks
With so many different meshes to choose from, selecting the “best” mesh for your plastisol printing needs can be frustrating. Use the following information as a guide for choosing your screen mesh:
- Glitter Plastisol Ink: Use 30 – 38 mesh
- Athletic Prints: Use 60 – 85 mesh
- Fleece Items: Use 60 – 110 mesh
- Puff Inks: Use 60 – 85 mesh
- Metallic Plastisol Ink: 60 – 85 mesh
- Super Opaque/Bleed Resistant Plastisol: 60 – 85 mesh
- Hot-Split Heat Transfers: 60 – 85 mesh
- General Plastisol Prints: 110 – 125 mesh
- Multi-Color, Wet-on-Wet Plastisol Printing: 180 – 200 mesh
- Nylon Jacket Printing: 180 – 230 mesh
- Simulated & 4-Color Process: 230 – 305 mesh
Screen Printing Mesh Selection When Printing Plastisol Inks
With so many different meshes to choose from, selecting the “best” mesh for your plastisol printing needs can be frustrating. Use the following information as a guide for choosing your screen mesh:
- Glitter Plastisol Ink: Use 30 – 38 mesh
- Athletic Prints: Use 60 – 85 mesh
- Fleece Items: Use 60 – 110 mesh
- Puff Inks: Use 60 – 85 mesh
- Metallic Plastisol Ink: 60 – 85 mesh
- Super Opaque/Bleed Resistant Plastisol: 60 – 85 mesh
- Hot-Split Heat Transfers: 60 – 85 mesh
- General Plastisol Prints: 110 – 125 mesh
- Multi-Color, Wet-on-Wet Plastisol Printing: 180 – 200 mesh
- Nylon Jacket Printing: 180 – 230 mesh
- Simulated & 4-Color Process: 230 – 305 mesh
Screen Printing Emulsion Selection for Plastisol Ink
For plastisol inks use an SBQ or Dual-Cure Emulsion. Capillary films (like Ulano’s E-Z Films) are also ideal when screen printing halftones, heat transfers and when you want a very consistent film deposit. CDF film are also faster to use and eliminate pin-holds in the screen.