Last updated: March 2026
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is a digital printing method that prints full-color designs directly onto fabric using specialized inkjet technology. It is ideal for small orders (no minimum quantity), photo-quality or full-color designs, and produces a soft, breathable print. ooShirts offers the lowest DTG printing prices with no minimum order requirement, free shipping, and no extra charge for unlimited print colors.
DTG printing, or direct-to-garment printing, is a modern digital printing method that applies ink directly onto a textile garment using specialized inkjet technology. Unlike traditional printing methods that rely on screens, transfers, or other intermediate steps, DTG printers work much like an office inkjet printer — except they are engineered specifically for fabric. The printer sprays water-based textile inks onto the garment in precise, controlled layers, producing high-resolution images with virtually unlimited color detail.
DTG printing emerged in the early 2000s as inkjet technology matured enough to handle textile applications. Since then, the equipment and inks have improved dramatically. Modern DTG printers can reproduce photographic images, complex gradients, and fine text with remarkable clarity. The inks used are typically water-based pigment inks that are CPSC-compliant and environmentally friendly, containing no harmful solvents or PVC. For more information, see the Wikipedia article on direct-to-garment printing.
At ooShirts, we use commercial-grade DTG printers to deliver vibrant, durable prints on a wide range of garments. Because there are no screens to create and no color separations to prepare, DTG printing is a fast, flexible process that works equally well for a single custom t-shirt or a batch of fifty unique designs.
The DTG printing process involves several carefully controlled steps to ensure the best possible print quality and durability. Here is how it works from start to finish:
Step 1: Pre-treat the garment. Before printing, the garment is sprayed with a liquid pre-treatment solution. This step is especially important for dark-colored shirts, where the pre-treatment creates a base layer that helps the white ink adhere properly. On light-colored shirts, pre-treatment improves ink absorption and color vibrancy. The treated garment is then heat-pressed briefly to cure the pre-treatment and create a smooth, flat printing surface.
Step 2: Load the garment into the printer. The shirt is placed onto a flat platen (a specialized tray) that holds the garment taut and wrinkle-free. The platen is designed to the exact dimensions of the print area, ensuring the fabric stays perfectly flat as it passes under the print heads. Proper loading is critical — any wrinkles or misalignment will affect print quality.
Step 3: Digital printing. The design file is sent to the printer, and the print heads spray CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) and white inks directly onto the fabric. For dark garments, the printer first lays down a layer of white ink to serve as a base, then prints the full-color design on top. For light garments, the white ink layer is typically skipped and the colors are printed directly onto the fabric. The entire printing process for a single garment usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes, depending on the design complexity and size.
Step 4: Heat cure. After printing, the garment is placed on a heat press or run through a conveyor dryer at approximately 330°F (165°C) for 60 to 90 seconds. This heat-curing step bonds the ink permanently to the fabric fibers, ensuring the print is wash-resistant and durable. Once cured, the garment is ready for quality inspection and shipping.
1) No minimum order quantity. DTG printing does not require screens, plates, or any other setup tooling. This means there is no expensive setup cost that needs to be spread across a large order. At ooShirts, you can order as few as one shirt with no minimum order requirement. Whether you need a single custom tee for a birthday gift or a dozen shirts for a small team, DTG makes it affordable.
2) Unlimited print colors at no extra charge. Because DTG printers use a full CMYK color palette, your design can include as many colors as you want without affecting the price. A single-color logo costs the same as a full-color photograph. This is a major advantage over screen printing, where each additional ink color adds to the cost. At ooShirts, you will never pay extra for additional colors on a DTG order.
3) Soft, breathable feel. DTG inks are absorbed into the fabric fibers rather than sitting on top of them. The result is a print that feels almost indistinguishable from the shirt itself. There is no heavy, rubbery layer like you sometimes get with screen printing or heat transfers. DTG prints are thin, lightweight, and breathable, which makes them exceptionally comfortable to wear.
4) Photo-quality detail. DTG printers can reproduce designs at resolutions up to 1200 x 1200 DPI, which means photographic images, fine gradients, and detailed typography all come out crisp and accurate. If your design includes a photograph, a watercolor painting, or intricate artwork with subtle color transitions, DTG is the ideal printing method.
5) Fast turnaround for small orders. Since there is no screen creation or color separation required, DTG orders can begin printing almost immediately after the artwork is approved. Small orders of one to twenty shirts are typically produced and shipped within a few business days. This speed makes DTG an excellent choice when you need custom apparel on a tight deadline.
6) Eco-friendly process. DTG printing uses water-based inks that produce minimal waste. There are no screens to wash, no excess ink to dispose of, and no chemical solvents involved. The pre-treatment solutions and inks used in DTG printing are non-toxic, and the process generates significantly less waste than traditional screen printing — especially on short-run orders.
1) Higher per-unit cost on large orders. While DTG is extremely cost-effective for small quantities, the per-shirt price does not decrease as dramatically with volume as screen printing does. For orders of 24 shirts or more with simple designs (one to three colors), screen printing will almost always be the more economical choice. The cost savings of screen printing at higher quantities can be substantial.
2) Best results on 100% cotton. DTG inks are formulated to bond with natural fibers, so they perform best on 100% cotton or high-cotton-blend garments (at least 50% cotton). On 100% polyester or heavily synthetic fabrics, DTG prints may not adhere as well and can fade more quickly. If you need to print on performance fabrics or polyester, sublimation printing is usually a better option.
3) Print durability on dark garments requires care. While modern DTG technology has made great strides in printing on dark-colored shirts, the white ink base layer on dark garments can be slightly less durable than prints on light shirts over many wash cycles. Proper care — washing inside out in cold water and tumble drying on low heat — will significantly extend the life of the print.
4) Limited print area. DTG printers are constrained by the size of their platen, which typically limits the maximum print area to approximately 14 by 16 inches for a standard front or back print. All-over or wrap-around printing is not possible with standard DTG equipment. For designs that need to cover the entire garment, other methods such as sublimation may be required.
DTG printing is the right choice in several common scenarios:
Small orders and single shirts. Need just one custom shirt or a handful for a small group? DTG is purpose-built for low quantities. With no minimum order at ooShirts, you can order exactly the number you need without paying inflated per-unit prices.
Photo prints and complex artwork. If your design includes a photograph, a painting, a detailed illustration, or anything with gradients and many colors, DTG will reproduce it with the highest fidelity. Screen printing struggles with photographic detail and charges extra for each color, but DTG handles complexity with ease.
Personalized gifts. Custom t-shirts make memorable gifts for birthdays, holidays, retirements, and special occasions. DTG makes it easy and affordable to print a unique, one-of-a-kind design on a single shirt.
Prototypes and samples. Before committing to a large screen printing order, you can use DTG to produce a few sample shirts to evaluate how your design looks on the actual garment. This lets you refine artwork and color choices before scaling up.
Print-on-demand and e-commerce. DTG is the backbone of most print-on-demand businesses because each shirt can feature a different design and orders can be fulfilled one at a time. If you sell custom apparel online, DTG printing supports your business model perfectly.
Several variables influence the cost of a DTG printed shirt:
Garment color. Printing on dark-colored shirts costs more than printing on light-colored shirts because dark garments require a white ink under-base layer. This extra ink layer adds to both ink consumption and printing time.
Print size. A larger print area uses more ink and takes longer to print, which increases the cost per shirt. A small left-chest logo will cost less than a full-size front print that spans the entire printable area.
Number of print locations. Printing on both the front and back of a shirt, or adding a sleeve print, means the garment must be repositioned and run through the printer multiple times. Each additional print location adds to the total cost.
Order quantity. While the per-shirt price for DTG does not drop as steeply as screen printing at higher quantities, there are still modest volume discounts available. Ordering ten shirts will cost less per unit than ordering one.
Garment selection. The base cost of the blank garment affects your total price. A premium heavyweight tee or a brand-name hoodie will cost more than a standard cotton t-shirt. At ooShirts, we offer a wide range of garment options at every price point, and our quoting system shows you the all-inclusive price with no hidden fees.
DTG and screen printing are both excellent methods, but they excel in different situations. DTG is the better choice for small orders, designs with many colors or photographic detail, and situations where you need fast turnaround with no setup cost. Screen printing is the better choice for large orders (typically 24 shirts or more) with simple designs of one to six colors, where the per-unit cost drops significantly at higher volumes.
At ooShirts, we offer both DTG and screen printing and will automatically recommend the most cost-effective method based on your order details. When you request a quote, our system evaluates your design complexity, color count, garment choices, and quantity to ensure you get the best price regardless of which printing method is used. You can also specify your preferred method if you have a strong preference.
With proper care, DTG prints can last 50 or more wash cycles while maintaining good color vibrancy. The key to maximizing print longevity is proper laundering: wash the garment inside out in cold water using a gentle cycle, avoid bleach and harsh detergents, and tumble dry on low heat or hang dry. Following these simple care instructions, a DTG printed shirt will remain vibrant and intact for years of regular wear. The durability of modern DTG inks has improved significantly over the past decade, and prints on light-colored 100% cotton garments are especially long-lasting.
No. At ooShirts, there is absolutely no minimum order requirement for DTG printing. You can order a single shirt if that is all you need, and the price will still be competitive. This is one of the biggest advantages of DTG over screen printing, which typically requires a minimum of 12 to 24 shirts to be cost-effective. Whether you are ordering one shirt as a gift, five shirts for a small team, or fifty shirts with fifty different designs, ooShirts can handle your order with DTG printing. Every order also includes free shipping, so there are no surprise costs at checkout.
Yes, DTG can print on dark-colored shirts. Modern DTG printers are equipped with white ink channels that allow them to lay down a white under-base layer before printing the full-color design on top. This white base ensures that colors appear vivid and accurate even on black, navy, dark grey, and other deep-colored garments. The pre-treatment step is especially important for dark shirts, as it helps the white ink adhere to the fabric and creates a smooth surface for the color layers. While printing on dark garments does cost slightly more than printing on light garments due to the additional ink and processing time, the results are high-quality and visually striking. At ooShirts, we print on dark shirts regularly and stand behind the quality of every order.
