Pretreating a Shirt for DTG Printing
Direct to garment (DTG) printing is a process of printing on textiles using inkjet technology. DTG uses specialty inks that are applied to the textile directly, as opposed to using transfer paper. The inks are absorbed by the fibers of the garment and then heat-set to ensure durability.
One of the most important steps of DTG t shirt printing is pretreating the garment. Pretreating helps the ink adhere to the fabric and prevents it from being absorbed too deeply into the fabric, which can result in poor washability. In this blog post, we will provide instructions on how to pretreat a shirt for DTG printing.
How to Pretreat a Shirt for DTG Printing
1. Start by pretesting your garment. It’s always best to test print on a swatch of fabric or an inconspicuous area of the garment before you treat the entire piece. This will help you determine if the fabric is compatible with DTG printing and if pretreatment is necessary. If you don’t have a swatch of fabric, you can test on the inside seam or hemline of the garment.
2. Once you have determined that pretreatment is necessary, wash the garment in hot water with a mild detergent and tumble dry on high heat. This will remove any sizing or finishes that may be present on the fabric and will open up the fibers so that they can better accept the pretreatment solution.
Do not use fabric softener when washing the garment as this can coat the fibers and interfere with ink adhesion. It’s also important to note that DTG inks are not colorfast, so avoid using bleach when washing the garment.
3. Next, apply an even layer of pretreatment solution to the entire surface of the garment using a pump sprayer or manual pressure applicator. Be sure to saturate all areas of the garment, paying special attention to seams, collars, cuffs, and other areas where ink coverage may be light. Allow the garment to dry completely before beginning the printing process.
4 Finally, once you’ve printed your design, it’s important to cure the ink to ensure maximum washability and durability. Curing can be done with a flash cure unit or by tumbling the garment in a clothes dryer on high heat for 30 minutes after printing is complete.
5 And there you have it! These simple steps will help you pretreat a shirt for DTG printing to ensure optimal results.
Wrap Up!
Pretreating a shirt for DTG printing is a simple but essential step in the process. By pretreating the garment, you can ensure that your ink adheres properly and doesn’t get absorbed into the fabric too deeply, which can lead to poor washability and durability. Follow these easy steps and you’ll be on your way to successful next DTG project!