DTG Printing · Photo-quality

DTG Printing in Chino, CA

Photo-quality, full-color printing straight onto the garment — no minimum order, no setup fees, produced in-house at our family-owned Chino shop.

Get a Free Quote DTG vs. DTF

What Is DTG Printing Best Used For?

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is best used for photo-quality, single-piece, or small-batch designs with detailed color, gradients, or fine art — the kind of design where screen printing's per-color setup would be impractical.

01Screen PrintingBold prints, bulk valueLearn more →02Custom EmbroideryStitched, premium finishLearn more →03DTF & DTGFull-color, no minimumsLearn more →04Custom PatchesDurable, reorderableLearn more →

How it works

How DTG Printing Works

Unlike DTF, which prints your design onto film before pressing it onto the garment, DTG applies ink directly onto the fabric using a specialized textile printer — similar in concept to a home inkjet printer, but built for fabric and textile inks.

The garment is pretreated first, which helps the ink bond and keeps colors vibrant, then the design prints directly onto the pretreated area and is cured to set the ink permanently into the fibers. Because the ink absorbs into the fabric rather than sitting on top as a separate layer, DTG prints feel soft — you can barely feel the design when you run your hand over it.

DTG PrintingAdd featured image

DTG vs. DTF: What's the Real Difference

Both are digital, no-minimum methods — the difference comes down to feel, fabric, and volume.

	DTG Printing	DTF Printing
Print feel	Soft — ink absorbs into the fabric	Slightly heavier, flexible film layer on top
Fabric requirement	Best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends	Cotton, blends, and polyester
Setup / minimum	None — no setup fee, no minimum	None — no setup fee, no minimum
Best for	Photo-quality, single designs, gradients	Full-color designs on any fabric or dark garments
Turnaround at high volume	Slower per piece	Faster per piece

Not sure which fits your project? Send us your design and fabric choice and we'll recommend the better fit — free of charge.

Fabric Requirements & What DTG Excels At

DTG performs best on 100% cotton or high-cotton-content blends, since the pretreatment and ink absorption process is built around natural fiber. Polyester and heavily synthetic blends don't hold DTG ink as well — which is where DTF becomes the better choice.

Photo-realistic designs — portraits, detailed artwork, and fine gradients print with genuine photo quality.
One-off & small-batch orders — each shirt can have a completely different design at the same base cost.
Soft-hand printing — for a print that feels like part of the shirt, not a layer on top.
Full-color art on cotton tees — band merch, art prints, and personalized gifts.

How to Order DTG Printing

Send us your design

High-resolution files print best, especially for photo-quality artwork.

Confirm your garment's fabric

Cotton and high-cotton blends work best for DTG.

Approve your proof

See exactly how your design will look before we print.

We print & deliver

Produced in-house at our Chino shop, ready for pickup or delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DTG printing best used for?

DTG is best for photo-quality, single-piece, or small-batch designs with detailed color or gradients — the kind of artwork that would be expensive to reproduce with screen printing's per-color setup.

Does DTG work on any fabric?

DTG performs best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends. Polyester and synthetic-heavy fabrics don't hold DTG ink as well — we'd typically recommend DTF printing for those garments instead.

Is there a minimum order for DTG printing?

No — like DTF, DTG has no minimum order and no setup fee, so a single shirt is a normal order.

How is DTG different from DTF printing?

DTG prints ink directly into the fabric for a soft, absorbed finish, while DTF prints onto film first and heat-presses it onto the garment, which works on more fabric types but has a slightly different feel. Contact us at (909) 590-5656 and we'll help you choose.

How long does DTG printing take?

Standard turnaround is typically within a week from proof approval, with rush options available for time-sensitive orders.

Can DTG print white ink on dark shirts?

DTG can print on dark garments using a white underbase layer, similar in concept to DTF, though it generally performs best on lighter cotton fabric. If your project is mostly dark garments, we may recommend DTF instead.

Have a detailed, full-color design in mind?

Get a free, no-obligation quote today — photo-quality DTG on cotton, no minimums.

Get Your Free Quote

Call (909) 590-5656 or visit our Chino shop at 3811 Schaefer Ave Suite A, Chino, CA 91710.