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“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life”
— Bill Cunningham (American photographer)
The world of fashion is full of creativity. As we delve deeper into this ever-evolving industry, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is catching the most eyes.
DTG is an apparel decorating method in which graphics and images are directly printed onto pre-sewn T-shirts, hats, hoodies, and other fabric products. It uses inkjet technology, which works best for printing on natural fibers such as cotton and linen etc.
Since it is a very creative process, it best suits personalized products that speak the language of exploration, just like traveling.
And, if you have a business around travel products, DTG printing will work as the cherry on top, enhancing your sales and overall customer engagement.
So, in this read, I will walk you through everything you can do to boost your travel merchandise with DTG printing. Also, learn about Custom Book Printing with this guide.
Let’s start!
But before we delve into the actual part, it’s crucial to understand “what is DTG printing on shirts”?
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a digital process that provides sharp prints at a higher resolution, all with the minimum cost possible. Unlike regular screen printing, DTG does not require a long setup and clean-up process, which again saves you a significant buck.
If you have ever used screen printing technology before, you may be familiar with its limited color choices. The more colorful and complex your design is, the more time you spend in the making process.
DTG on the other hand has great print technology which is unmatchable to any other printing method. It can produce multicolored, complex designs without compressing its quality. It comes with excellent ink application abilities that produce vivid, bright visuals with superior wipe-off properties.
DTG printing is fast and requires less setup time when compared to other printing methods.
Here’s how the DTG printing process goes:
This is an ideal printing method for small volumes of orders due to its simplicity and high-resolution graphics. Its short preparation time allows you plenty of flexibility for your production line.
DTG printing process is simple and an ideal one for small batch jobs. It just requires the printer garments, and enough ink to do the job.
So, if you’re looking to test some new travel designs in the market, DTG printing is a perfect solution for small-size orders. And services like Gelato or Printful are excellent options.
Unlike conventional printing methods, DTG printing presents an eco-friendly alternative for the apparel industry. These printers use water-based inks that reduce the environmental footprints and toxicity levels when compared to chemical-heavy screen printing procedures.
On top of that, DTG requires less space and ink which proves to be a more cost-efficient printing method too.
Did You Know?
DTG printing first began in 1996, with the first commercially available DTG printer named “Revolution”. And just since then, it has emerged as a game-changer in the custom apparel industry.
DTG systems allow their customers to use different options to print such as T-shirts, caps, masks, shoes, etc. This adaptability allows businesses to expand their market reach using different kinds of textile garments.
It is also compatible with a wide variety of fabric options ranging from polyester blends to rayon, silk, and even leather.
The pretreatment of the garments involves following a set of procedures for the long-lasting prints on the fabric.
It improves ink adhesion, and color vibrancy, and perfectly blends the design on the fabric surface. And, by incorporating a perfect pretreatment in the DTG printing method, you can ensure a high-quality material with a long-lasting print.
DTG system is famed for its potential to make a design pop and stand out among the crowd. It also provides a cost-effective way to build personalized travel merchandise with the help of vibrant designs and catchy slogans.
Consistent branding on the merchandise gives an unfulfilled appearance that resonates with travelers and reinforces brand recognition and loyalty.
Personalized merchandise is a great way to engage travelers and build a strong customer relationship. Adding elements like names or personalized messages on the travel products gives the customers a sense of individuality.
[The above graph shows the DTG printing market size from 2022 to 2029]
DTG printing has revolutionized the appeal industry with its updated graphic creation. This is an ideal method for small and one-off jobs due to its preparation time and quality printing. Since the whole process is automated this doesn’t waste unnecessarily, which proves to be a cost-effective way to build personalized travel merchandise.