DTG, or direct-to-garment printing, works like a high-end inkjet printer, spraying water-based inks directly onto a fabric garment. The design is then cured with a heat press to make the ink permanent and durable. For printing on dark fabrics, a white base layer is applied first to ensure the design's vibrancy.
The DTG process
- 1. Pre-treatment:
For garments darker than white, a pre-treatment liquid is applied to the printing area. This is typically followed by a heat press to cure the pre-treatment, which prepares the fabric and ensures vibrant ink adhesion.
- 2. Printing:
The garment is then placed in the DTG printer, which functions similarly to an office inkjet printer, spraying the design's ink directly onto the fabric.
- 3. Curing:
After the ink is applied, the garment is again placed in a heat press to cure the ink, which binds it to the fabric fibers, making the design permanent and washable.
Key characteristics
- Technology: Uses modified inkjet technology to print directly onto fabric.
- Ink: Relies on water-based inks that soak into the garment's fibers.
- Designs: Excels at detailed, full-color designs, photos, and graphics.
- Fabric: Works best on natural fibers like cotton.
- Feel: The finished print feels smooth and part of the fabric rather than a stiff layer on top.
For a test wash of a garment printed with the Brother GTX Pro, it is recommended to wash it inside out, with cold or warm water (maximum 30^\circ$C), and using the normal detergent recommended by the manufacturer. The design will be sealed through a heat-curing process at the end of printing, making it durable if these precautions are followed.
Test Wash Process
- Preparation: Turn the T-shirt inside out to protect the design.
- Washing: Use cold water or a maximum of 30^\circ$C.
- Detergent: Use the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer.
- Drying: Dry the garment as usual, preferably in a dryer at low temperature or on a line.