Is Direct to Garment Printing the Right Choice For Your Custom Clothing Business?

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Direct to garment printing, also known as DTG printing, is quickly becoming the go-to method for custom clothing businesses. With its ability to produce high-quality prints on a wide range of fabrics, it can be a great choice for those who are looking to create unique items for their customers. But is it the right choice for your business? In this article, we’ll take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of direct to garment printing so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for your custom clothing business. We’ll cover topics such as the cost of DTG printing, the types of fabrics that can be printed on, the turnaround time, and more. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of whether DTG printing is the right choice for you.

Disadvantages of DTG Printing

As with any type of printing method, there are some disadvantages to direct to garment printing, including: - Higher upfront cost - Unlike screen printing, where you can rent or buy your equipment, DTG printing requires a large investment. You’ll also have to replace your printer’s ink cartridge more often, which can be costly. In addition, because there are fewer DTG printing companies compared to screen printers, you may have a harder time finding a printer that has your fabric in stock. - Color limitations - While the number of colors you can use with DTG printing is greater than with screen printing, the colors are not as bright or saturated as they are with screen printing. If you plan to print highly saturated colors, you may want to consider another method of printing. - Slower turnaround time - In most cases, DTG printing takes longer than screen printing. If your customers need their items quickly, you may want to look into another printing method. - Fewer potential customers - While direct to garment printing can be a great choice for your business, it’s not the best option for everyone. Because the printed garments are not as bright or bold as screen-printed garments, the garments may be a poor choice for businesses like sports teams, bands, or event planners who want to put large images on their customers’ clothing.

Types of Fabrics that Can be Printed On

There are different fabrics and garments that are great for DTG printing. Some examples include t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and bags. Depending on the printer you work with, you may also be able to print on other fabrics, such as hats, jackets, and even fabrics suitable for bedsheets and curtains. The type of fabric you use will affect the price of your garments, but in most cases, direct to garment printing is a much more affordable option than other printing methods, such as screen printing.

Turnaround Time

One of the main advantages of DTG printing is that it’s a faster process than screen printing. In most cases, DTG printing takes 1-2 days, while screen printing takes 2-3 weeks. If you need to get your products to your customers quickly, DTG printing is the best option. Keep in mind that the turnaround time depends on how busy your printer is. If they’re booked out for several days, you’ll have to wait until they’re done with their other jobs before your garments are ready. If you’re in a rush, make sure to book your garments at a time that won’t interfere with the printer’s other orders.

DTG Printing Tips

Are you ready to get started with direct to garment printing? There are a few things you should know before you begin, including: - Know when to use DTG printing - Before you make the decision to use DTG printing to create your garments, make sure you’re in a suitable industry for it. DTG printing is best for businesses that have short-run orders of around 100 items, such as small businesses, sports teams, and event planners. If you have larger orders, you may want to consider another printing method. - Choose your printer wisely - Not all DTG printers are the same. Before you decide which printer to use, make sure to consider their turnaround time, price, and reviews. You don’t want to rush your garments only to find that they’re not as great as you expected. - Research your fabrics - Depending on what fabrics you plan to use, you may want to use direct to garment printing. Fabrics that work well with DTG printing include polyester, spandex, silk, and other synthetic fabrics. Fabrics that are too thick or stretchy, or that have a high amount of cotton may not work well with DTG printing. - Consider your customers - If you want to use direct to garment printing, you have to make sure that your customers are okay with the look. DTG printed garments are not as bright or bold as screen printed garments, so they may not be ideal for sports teams, bands, or event planners who want to put large images on their customers’ clothing.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to create custom clothing that’s more personalized than off-the-shelf goods, direct to garment printing may be the best option for your custom clothing business. DTG printed garments are a great choice for businesses that have short-run orders. They are also a good option if you want your garments to be more affordable than screen printing. However, there are some disadvantages to DTG printing, including a higher upfront cost, slower turnaround time, and fewer potential customers. When you’re ready to create unique custom clothing, direct to garment printing is a great choice.