Direct-to-garment (DTG), is expanding beyond T-shirts. Custom printing can be done on items with higher margins such as jackets. Photos courtesy Roland DGA
By Kitt Jones
The increased demand for direct to-garment (DTG), printing has been one of the most significant changes in the industry. A large part of this change is due to a growing trend in customization and personalization, accompanied by the rise of e-commerce and “one-stop shops” offering customers a wide range of apparel resources.
Despite the effects of the pandemic, DTG printing product sales reached US$202 Million (C$253 Million) in 2021. The global DTG printing market is expected to grow at 8.3% annually over the next 10 years.1
Today’s print shop clients are often looking for specialty printed and short-run apparel along with their graphics, and DTG printers have emerged as a critical technology. Manufacturers are responding by introducing new DTG printers, which offer more flexibility and appeal as an inhouse resource.
Managing demand
Customers are asking for more products in DTG such as bags, hats, T-shirts and hats. However, many print shops owners have been unable to supply these services internally. To satisfy their clients’ requests, print service providers (PSPs) have been outsourcing their DTG production—which can constrain the shop’s ability to control quality, timing, and costs.
DTG printing technology has been developed by printer manufacturers to meet this need. DTG printing workflows are now more flexible and accessible than ever thanks to these changes. Today’s DTG printers are both powerful and versatile, providing the on-demand production capability needed to help PSPs fulfil custom and short-run orders in-house.
The evolution of DTG technology
DTG printer owners have been able to find ways to speed up their production over the years using a variety heat pressing and pre-treatment techniques. While this technology is getting more powerful and cheaper, it can only produce one platen printers at a speed that is fast.
Today’s improved inks and more comprehensive software are important for increasing the speed and efficiency of DTG printing. Flexible print production is the true breakthrough. It allows companies to diversify product lines and sets them apart from their competitors.
DTG printing technology has been developed by printer manufacturers. It allows for faster and more efficient production of a wide range of substrates and materials. Roland DG released a DTG printer with a 1346.2-x-1625.6-mm (53 x 64 in.) A bed and a 203.2mm (8-in. Z axis allows users to print on multiple shirts simultaneously or on larger, more profitable products like towels, jeans and blankets. Print shop owners will see a rise in profitability due to the versatility and power of these printers.