DTG Printing for Custom T-Shirts: The Complete 2026 Guide

DTG (direct-to-garment) printing offers vibrant, detailed designs on custom t-shirts without setup fees or colour limitations, making it ideal for small batches, photography-quality prints, and one-off orders. This method has transformed independent designers and small brands' ability to create professional-quality custom apparel without the high costs traditionally associated with screen printing.

What Is DTG Printing?

Direct-to-garment printing works like an inkjet printer, but instead of paper, the ink sprays directly onto a prepared t-shirt surface. The garment is loaded into the printer, artwork is processed through design software, and the machine applies water-based or pigment-based inks in precise layers. A heat press then cures the ink permanently into the fabric fibres.

The process begins with pre-treatment. The blank t-shirt receives a chemical coating that helps the ink adhere and prevents it from bleeding into the fabric. This step is crucial for colour vibrancy and wash durability. Once pre-treated, the shirt is positioned under the print head, and the inkjet cartridges deposit colour exactly where your design specifies.

What makes DTG stand out is its versatility. You can print photographic images, gradients, fine details, and unlimited colours without changing screens or plates. There's no waiting period between colour changes, no setup costs, and no minimum order quantities. This means a single custom t-shirt costs roughly the same to produce as fifty.

DTG vs Screen Printing: When to Choose Which

The choice between DTG and screen printing depends on your needs, budget, and quantity.

Choose DTG if you need custom designs, one-off orders, complex artwork, or quick turnarounds. It's perfect for personal gifts, limited-edition drops, or testing a design before committing to bulk orders. Use screen printing if you're ordering in quantity (50+), want the lowest per-unit cost, or prefer a classic, tactile print finish.

Preparing Your Design for DTG Printing

Successful DTG prints start with proper file preparation. Your design file should be a high-resolution image, typically at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) and in CMYK colour mode, not RGB. RGB is for screens; CMYK is for printed colour, and the conversion affects how vibrant your design appears on the shirt.

File format matters. PNG or TIFF files with transparent backgrounds work best, as they allow DTG software to place your design precisely on the garment. JPG files are acceptable but may introduce slight compression artefacts, particularly noticeable on detailed artwork.

Colour accuracy is easier with DTG than screen printing, but it's not perfect. Pantone colours don't always match exactly on fabric; a swatch or test print is wise if colour precision is critical. Ensure sufficient contrast between your design and the shirt colour. White ink may be available for dark garments, but it requires additional setup and a secondary print pass.

For photography or gradient-heavy designs, DTG excels. You can print a full-colour portrait or sunset gradient without switching equipment or colour screens. Many custom t-shirt suppliers, such as premium blank t-shirt stocks on Amazon UK, pair well with DTG printing because of their consistent, smooth surfaces that accept ink evenly.

Cost Breakdown and Pricing

DTG pricing typically includes three components: the blank t-shirt (£3–£8 depending on quality), the print and labour (£4–£10), and any additional services like packaging. Total cost per shirt ranges from £8 to £15 for single orders, with discounts available for quantities above 20.

Setup is free, making it economical for small runs. A bespoke design for a friend's birthday gift, a limited batch of streetwear for a pop-up, or a team uniform order of ten custom hoodies all become feasible without five-figure setup investments.

Bulk discounts kick in around 50–100 units, where per-shirt costs drop. However, they rarely beat screen printing's economy at very high volumes (500+), where screen printing's fixed setup becomes negligible across many garments.

Care and Longevity

DTG-printed t-shirts last as long as screen-printed ones when cared for properly. The key is the curing process. Quality DTG facilities heat-cure designs to 150–160°C, bonding ink to fibres. This makes prints washable 50–100 times without significant fading.

To extend longevity, wash inside-out in cold water, avoid high-temperature drying, and skip bleach. The inks are water-based and durable but benefit from gentle handling. New custom hoodies with DTG prints should be turned inside-out for the first few washes to protect the design during any residual ink settling.

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By The TMK Tees Team | 17 October 2026