DTG, short for direct-to-garment, prints your artwork straight into the fabric with water-based inkjet technology. It handles full color, gradients and photographic detail that thread cannot match, and it works best on cotton and cotton-rich garments. Arklavo offers DTG with no minimum order, so one custom tee is as easy to order as one hundred.
Browse DTG printed apparel or request a quote.
How DTG works
A specialized printer sprays ink onto the garment in a single pass, much like a desktop printer on paper. The ink soaks into the fibers instead of sitting on top as a thick layer, so a good print feels soft and does not crack easily. Because the design goes directly from file to fabric, there are no screens, plates or color separations to set up.
That is why a single DTG print carries no per-order setup fee. Short runs, one-offs and designs with many colors are where this method makes the most sense.
Artwork that works well
- Full-color illustrations, mascots and event graphics
- Photographs and soft shading
- Gradients and many-color logos
- Detailed line work that would be too fine to stitch
Send a PNG at 300 DPI or higher, sized to the print you want, with a transparent background instead of a white box. A vector file is fine too. Our team checks the file and tells you before production if anything needs cleaning up. Free logo cleanup and vectorization are available, and the artwork guidelines cover the details.
Fabrics and garment colors
The ink bonds with natural fibers, so the garment decides the result. The table gives the general picture. Your proof confirms the final placement and size on your exact garment.
| Garment | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 100% cotton | Best results: bright color, soft hand feel |
| Cotton-rich blends | Good results, slightly softer color than pure cotton |
| Polyester and performance fabrics | Weak fit: ink bonds poorly and colors can look faded. We usually recommend heat press instead |
| Dark garments | Possible, but colors can look less vivid than on white or light garments |
If your design is bright and your garment is dark, tell us when you ask for a quote. We will say plainly whether DTG is the right method or whether another one will look better. The heat press page covers the main alternative.
From order to delivery
You order or send artwork, and we prepare a free digital proof showing the print on the garment. You approve it before anything is printed. Production then takes about 2 business days, and US shipping takes 3 to 5 business days. Read more on proofs and approval.
DTG prices are set per product and include the print at the first placement. Volume discounts of 5% to 20% apply as quantity grows, starting at 10 pieces. See pricing.
When to pick another method
Choose embroidery for polos, caps and jackets, where a stitched logo looks right and lasts. Choose heat press for names, numbers and performance fabrics. The decoration method guide walks through the choice. For washing advice, see care instructions.
Common questions
What does DTG stand for?
Direct-to-garment. A printer applies water-based ink directly onto the fabric, which allows full-color, photographic artwork without screens.
Is there a setup fee for a single DTG print?
No. A single DTG print has no per-order setup fee, and there is no minimum order.
Does DTG work on polyester?
Not well. Ink bonds best with natural fibers like cotton. For polyester and performance fabrics we usually recommend a heat press transfer instead.
Will a design look different on a dark shirt?
It can. Colors on dark garments are often less vivid than on white or light garments. Tell us the garment color when you ask for a quote and we will advise before you commit.
What file should I send for DTG?
A PNG at 300 DPI or higher with a transparent background, sized to the print you want. Vector files also work, and we will tell you before production if the file needs cleanup.