DTG digital printing

DTG Digital Printing – What Is It and When Should You Choose It?

DTG (Direct to Garment) is a modern digital printing method that involves printing a design directly onto clothing. It works best on cotton fabrics or blends with a small amount of polyester.

This solution allows for the reproduction of highly detailed designs, including those with tonal gradients, photos, or fine details. Unlike screen printing, there are no color limitations or the need to prepare stencils. This results in significant time and cost savings in the prepress stage—especially for low and medium print runs.

At Printexpress.pl, we use one of the most advanced solutions on the market: the Apollo printer from Kornit Digital, which takes DTG printing to a whole new level of performance and quality.

“Thanks to the industry-proven MAX technology, the Apollo system from Kornit Digital enables on-demand production—from single units to medium-volume runs. With advanced automation, process control, and integrated smart drying, it is the most comprehensive end-to-end system for single-pass digital production available on the market. Generating up to 400 prints per hour, Apollo combines efficiency with flexibility, eliminating material waste, long setup times, and graphic limitations, replacing them with cost-effective on-demand production.” source: Kornit.com

What does this mean in practice?

• Ability to print as few as 1 piece
• Excellent quality and consistency even with larger orders
• Fast turnaround without complicated setup
• Ideal solution for full-color designs, photos, and complex graphics: CMYKRG (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Red, Green)
• print size does not affect the price

What does the DTG print look like?

A DTG print does not create a heavy, noticeable layer on the fabric. It is soft, flexible, and blends well with the fabric.

This technology excels at reproducing fine details, which is why it is frequently used for premium projects, corporate apparel, or collections featuring more complex graphics. The colors are vibrant, and with proper care, the print retains its quality for a long time.

Applications of DTG Printing

DTG is used wherever quality and production flexibility matter. It is most commonly used for T-shirts, canvas bags, and promotional and corporate apparel.

It is an excellent solution for personalized orders and short- to medium-run production runs, where it doesn’t make sense to invest in a prepress department.

DTG print size on the Kornit Apollo machine

There are no strict limits on the minimum print size. However, it’s worth noting that very small elements—especially thin lines and tiny letters—may become illegible after printing.

The standard print width on clothing is 28 cm. This width easily fits on a men’s T-shirt in size S as well as in size 3XL. On women’s T-shirts, the standard print width is 22–24 cm. However, much depends on the chosen style and manufacturer—some models are more fitted, while others have a classic or oversized cut.

Most often, a single print size is used for the entire batch of T-shirts. However, there are designs that require a larger print area. In such cases, it is possible to adjust the print size to the T-shirt size. On the Kornit Apollo machine, a print with a maximum size of 38 × 42 cm can be produced—most often on larger T-shirts or oversized styles.

Approximate print sizes relative to T-shirt size

Men’s / unisex T-shirt size	Approximate print size
XS	27 x 42 cm
S – M	33 x 42 cm
od L – 5XL	38 x 42 cm

Please note that these are approximate values. The final print size always depends on the specific T-shirt model and its actual width.

What is the difference between screen printing and DTG?

The biggest difference lies in the approach to production. DTG allows you to print even single items without additional setup costs and without color restrictions. It works perfectly for more complex designs.

Screen printing, on the other hand, is more cost-effective for large runs and highly repetitive designs. However, it requires the preparation of stencils, which significantly increases the unit cost for small quantities.

What is the difference between DTG and DTF?

With DTF, the print is created on a film and then transferred to the fabric. DTG works differently—the print is applied directly to the fabric.

This translates to a difference in the final result. DTG produces a more natural, soft print that integrates better with the fabric. DTF is more versatile in terms of substrates, but the print is slightly noticeable. DTF also cannot capture delicate and small details as well as DTG.

How much does DTG printing cost?

The cost of DTG printing depends primarily on the quantity of items to be printed. A major advantage of this technology is the absence of setup costs, making it possible to print as few as 1 item.

If you’d like an exact quote, please send us your design—we’ll prepare it quickly along with information on the turnaround time.

DTG Digital Printing Price List

The cost of DTG printing depends primarily on the number of items to be printed. A major advantage of this technology is that there are no setup costs, which means we can print as few as one item.

If you’d like an exact quote, it’s best to send us your design—we’ll prepare it quickly along with information on the turnaround time.

You can also check out the digital printing price list on your own.

When should you choose DTG?

DTG is the best choice when you want high-quality prints, a high level of detail, and production flexibility. It works particularly well for smaller orders, multi-color designs, and whenever a premium finish is essential.

DTG Digital Printing in Gdańsk

We provide DTG digital printing in Gdańsk for local customers and companies throughout the Tri-City. We handle both small orders starting at 1 piece and larger runs of corporate, event, or promotional apparel. We print using an industrial Kornit Apollo printer, which guarantees high quality, consistency, and excellent detail reproduction.

If you’re looking for a place to get DTG-printed T-shirts in Gdańsk quickly and with premium quality—you’ve come to the right place. Feel free to contact us via email or visit our office in Gdańsk—we’ll recommend the best solution and prepare a design preview before production.

FAQ – DTG Digital Printing

What is DTG printing?

DTG (Direct to Garment) is a method of direct printing on clothing that allows for the reproduction of multicolor graphics, photos, and details without color limitations.

Is DTG printing durable?

Yes, it is very durable. It is comparable to screen printing in this regard. With proper care (washing at up to 40°C, inside out), the print retains its color intensity and quality for a long time.

On what materials can DTG printing be done?

It works best on cotton and blended fabrics with a small amount of polyester.

Can I order just one item?

Yes—DTG printing allows for orders starting at just one item, with no setup costs.

Is DTG suitable for photos and complex graphics?

Yes—it’s one of the best methods for designs with a lot of detail, tonal gradients, and photographs.

What is the difference between DTG and DTF?

DTG is printing directly onto the fabric, producing a natural effect. DTF involves transferring the print from a film and is more versatile in terms of materials, but the film is slightly noticeable.