DTG Printing
DTG prints ink directly into cotton fabric fibers like an inkjet printer — the softest hand-feel of any method, and the best choice for genuinely photo-realistic designs.
Indy Custom Apparel connects Indianapolis-area customers with independent custom apparel providers. We don't own or operate a print shop — pricing, production and turnaround are set by the provider handling your order. See how it works →
Built for detailed art on cotton garments.
- • Buyers with photographic or highly detailed artwork
- • Anyone prioritizing softness and hand-feel
- • Small quantity or one-off orders
- • Cotton or cotton-heavy blend projects
Best use cases — and real limitations.
We'd rather tell you upfront where this method doesn't make sense than match you to the wrong provider.
✓ Photo-realistic and complex gradient designs
✓ 100% cotton or high-cotton-blend garments
✓ One-off or very small quantity orders
✓ Full-color art with no per-color cost penalty
✕ Less reliable on poly-blend or performance fabric than DTF
✕ Print can feel slightly less durable on heavily worn areas over time
✕ Best results skew toward lighter fabric colors
✕ Not the most cost-effective choice at very high volume
What this method works best on.
Where DTG's photo-quality actually matters
If your design includes fine shading, a genuine photograph, or subtle color blending, DTG will render it more naturally than DTF's film-transfer process. For flat, bold graphics, the difference is far less noticeable — and DTF's broader fabric compatibility may matter more.
DTG vs. DTF: cotton vs. everything else.
Choose DTG when your garment is cotton and your art is detailed or photographic. Choose DTF when your fabric is a poly-blend, when you want maximum durability, or when you're ordering a mix of garment types in one run.
Tell us the project
Garment type, quantity and design.
We match the method
Your project matched to a provider suited to dtg printing.
Get connected
An independent provider reaches out with pricing.
Approve and produce
Proofs and production handled directly by that provider.
Explore related services, industries and guides.
Questions about dtg printing.
No — Indy Custom Apparel is a matching service. We connect you with an independent Indianapolis-area provider whose equipment fits your project. Production, pricing and turnaround are handled by that provider.
Yes, using a white underbase pretreatment, though results are most vivid on lighter fabric. For heavily saturated full-color art on dark garments, some providers will suggest DTF instead.
No meaningful minimum — DTG is well-suited to single-piece or very small orders, similar to DTF.
Get matched with a DTG printer in Indianapolis.
Free to submit. No obligation until you approve a quote from a matched provider.