Tips For Creating Designs That Work Well With DTG Printing

A Woman Wearing Brown Pants and a DTG T-shirt Featuring a Woman with a Flower in Her Hair

Artists and designers often complain about the lack of techniques that would do justice to their creations. When that technique is made available to them in direct-to-garment form, another problem arises: How can they ensure their DTG designs are as vibrant, detailed, and top-notch as DTG printing requires?

Send us your most intricate designs in Nashville for the DTG treatment, but not before bringing them in line with the following pointers.

Resolution Matters

One of the key aspects of DTG printing is that it not only realizes deeply complex images but also requires high-resolution images to achieve this feat.

Ensure your design looks detailed and professional with high-quality images or vector graphics. Cap the resolution at 300 dots per inch (DPI) to guarantee no details are missed during the printing process.

Share the images and let us be the judge vis-à-vis the quality, dimensions, and appropriateness of the artwork. Should any refinements be necessary, we collaborate closely with you to address image corrections, colorization, and enhancements, ensuring your complete satisfaction before moving forward.

Vector Graphics for Precision

Vector graphics and DTG printing are a match made in heaven. Unlike raster images, which can lose quality when resized, vector graphics maintain their sharpness regardless of scale.

Programs like Adobe Illustrator are excellent for creating designs in vector format, as they provide the precision needed to create DTG designs.

Color Management

DTG printers can realize many colors; they can differentiate between shades that are beside each other on the color wheel. However, it’s essential to consider the color gamut of the printer and the fabric.

Stick to the Pantone color system for consistency and accuracy, and always check the final color output on the specific fabric you’ll be using for printing.

A Hand Hold Several Pantone Test Charts for DTG Printing

Understand Fabric Types

Different fabrics react differently to DTG printing. Cotton is considered the best material because of its porosity, which helps it absorb water-based inks. That said, the rule of thumb when it comes to fabric is that it should be soft and smooth for the best results.

In other words, understanding the characteristics of the fabric you’re working with can significantly impact the final result. Experiment with test prints on various fabrics to observe how colors appear and how the fabric texture influences the overall design.

Avoid Excessive Ink Coverage

While the technique lets you play with various DTG designs, more ink coverage is needed to avoid a heavy, uncomfortable feel on the fabric.

Keep your designs balanced and avoid excessive ink buildup, especially in large solid areas. This not only improves the comfort of the garment but also maintains the vibrant look of the outfit in the long run.

Optimize for the Printing Area

Consider the size and location of your design on the garment. DTG printers have limitations in terms of printing area, with most offering a maximum 16” x 21” area. Adjust your design to fit within these constraints.

Pay attention to seams, pockets, and other garment features to ensure your design looks cohesive and professional.

Send Your DTG Designs for Printing in Nashville

Prioritize the above aspects to get your designs right the first time. Send them to Music City DigiTee for custom DTG printing, and trust our eight years in this line of work to do justice to your high-resolution designs. Watch as your designs come to life in the form of vibrant, detailed tee shirts, sweats, hoodies, and more outfits that captivate, inspire, and impress.

Contact us to discuss custom t-shirt printing in Nashville.

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