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Home > Catalogue
By Aisha - 6 min read
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing has transformed how we approach custom apparel. Unlike traditional methods like screen printing, DTG doesn't require time-consuming setup or expensive screens. Instead, it uses cutting-edge technology to apply designs directly onto the fabric, making it the go-to choice for intricate designs, multi-colored prints, and small-batch orders.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the cost of DTG printing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It varies based on factors like the garment material, color, and design details. Printing a single T-shirt with a vibrant design might cost differently than producing a bulk order of 50. And if you're working with dark garments, additional costs for white ink under bases can significantly impact your final bill.
Understanding these costs isn’t just useful—it’s essential. Knowing what affects the price empowers you to make smarter decisions, whether you’re printing for a promotional campaign, a special event, or launching your own clothing line. With DTG, small tweaks—like garment selection or design adjustments—can make a big difference in both quality and cost.
So, what exactly goes into the price of DTG printing? Let’s break it down step by step to help you navigate this dynamic world of custom apparel.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a state-of-the-art process that uses advanced inkjet technology to print designs directly onto fabric. Unlike traditional methods such as screen printing, DTG doesn’t require extensive setup, stencils, or screens. Instead, it sprays water-based inks directly onto the garment’s surface, bonding with the fibers to create vibrant, high-quality prints that feel soft to the touch.
This process is powered by precision. The printer works much like the one you’d use for paper, but it’s specifically designed for textiles. It can handle complex, colorful, and photorealistic designs with ease, capturing even the finest details without adding extra cost for additional colors or intricate patterns.
DTG printing has become the gold standard for custom apparel due to its flexibility and convenience. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Whether you’re creating branded merchandise, custom gifts, or personal apparel, DTG printing offers unmatched quality and convenience. It’s the ideal choice for anyone who values high detail, unlimited colors, and flexibility in order size.
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing stands out in the custom apparel industry for its flexibility, but its costs can vary significantly compared to traditional methods like screen printing or heat transfers. Understanding why DTG is sometimes more expensive—and other times more economical—requires a closer look at its setup, materials, and production process.
One of DTG's key advantages is its minimal setup. Unlike screen printing, which requires creating stencils (screens) for each color in the design, DTG uses digital technology to print directly onto fabric. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive preparation, making it cheaper for small orders or one-off prints.
DTG printing uses specialized water-based inks designed to bond with fabric fibers. While these inks produce vibrant, high-quality prints, they are generally more expensive than the plastisol inks used in screen printing.
DTG excels at producing high-detail prints without additional labor. However, its production speed can’t match screen printing for large-scale jobs.
DTG printing’s pricing depends on your specific project needs. It’s a cost-effective solution for short runs, intricate designs, and projects where setup time or fees are a concern. However, for high-volume, simple designs, screen printing may offer better economies of scale. At Yes We Print, we’ll help you decide which option fits your budget and goals, ensuring you get the best value for your project.
The cost of DTG printing per shirt can vary widely depending on factors like order size, garment type, and design complexity. On average, you can expect prices to range between $15 to $30 per shirt for small or single-item orders. Bulk orders, however, often bring the cost down significantly, with prices as low as $7 to $12 per shirt depending on the volume.
For a single shirt, pricing is higher due to fixed costs like setup and ink usage. For example:
With larger orders, economies of scale come into play, reducing the per-shirt price. For example:
These estimates are influenced by variables like garment material, design size, and printing speed. At Yes We Print, we pride ourselves on offering the most transparent pricing in the industry, with no hidden fees and a clear breakdown of costs. We guarantee the lowest prices in the market, ensuring you get unmatched value whether you’re ordering a single shirt or a bulk run of hundreds.
The cost of DTG printing depends on several key factors, each playing a role in determining your final price. Understanding these variables helps you make informed decisions and optimize your budget.
One of the biggest factors is the size of your order.
DTG printing excels at handling intricate designs with multiple colors.
The type of garment and fabric you choose can impact the cost:
How quickly you need your order can also influence pricing:
At Yes We Print, we simplify these variables by offering transparent pricing with no surprises. Whether you need one shirt or a bulk order, light or dark garments, or standard or rush production, we ensure you receive the best quality at the lowest price in the market.
Yes, bulk orders with DTG printing often come with significant cost benefits. While DTG is typically known for its flexibility with small orders, larger quantities allow for more efficient production, which reduces the per-shirt price.
For example:
At Yes We Print, we offer the industry’s best bulk discount rates, ensuring that you save more as your order size increases. Whether it’s 10 shirts or 1,000, we provide unbeatable value without compromising on quality.
For larger orders, screen printing often becomes the more cost-effective option due to its ability to quickly reproduce the same design across hundreds or thousands of garments. However, DTG still holds several advantages in certain cases:
At Yes We Print, we help you weigh the benefits of DTG versus screen printing based on your specific needs and budget. Whether you choose DTG for its detail or screen printing for its efficiency, we guarantee the best prices and the highest-quality results in the industry.
One of the key benefits of DTG printing is that it doesn’t require a minimum order. Unlike screen printing, which often involves high setup costs and minimum quantities, DTG printing lets you order as few as one T-shirt without any extra fees. This makes it perfect for small projects, personalized gifts, or one-off designs.
At Yes We Print, you can order exactly what you need—whether it’s a single shirt or a small batch for an event. We ensure the same high-quality printing and competitive pricing regardless of the quantity. This flexibility means you’re not forced to order in bulk, saving you time, money, and the hassle of managing unwanted extras.
With Yes We Print, no order is too small, and you still benefit from the lowest prices in the industry for even the smallest quantities.
DTG printing on dark garments tends to be more expensive due to the additional steps and resources required to achieve vibrant and high-quality results. The key factor is the need for a white ink under base.
When printing on dark-colored fabrics, the colors of the design need a solid foundation to stand out. Without this underbase, the ink would soak into the dark fabric, making the colors look dull and washed out. The white underbase acts as a primer, ensuring that colors appear bright and vivid, regardless of the garment's color.
How Does This Affect Cost?
At Yes We Print, we ensure that even dark garment printing is done with the highest precision and care, using advanced equipment to deliver vibrant designs that pop. While dark garments do require additional steps, we guarantee industry-leading prices and a transparent breakdown of costs, so you know exactly what you’re paying for and why.
The type of fabric used plays a critical role in the quality and cost of DTG printing. While DTG works on a variety of materials, some fabrics produce better results than others, and these differences can impact the overall price.
DTG printing performs best on 100% cotton garments because the natural fibers absorb water-based inks more effectively. This leads to:
Additionally, printing on 100% cotton is often more cost-efficient because the process is faster and requires less ink compared to synthetic or blended materials.
DTG printing can be done on blended or synthetic fabrics, but these materials pose certain challenges:
At Yes We Print, we recommend 100% cotton garments for the best DTG results at the most affordable prices. However, if your project requires synthetic or blended fabrics, we ensure every piece is pre-treated and printed with care to achieve the highest quality possible. Whatever your fabric choice, we offer transparent pricing so you understand the cost implications upfront.
Yes, you can! DTG printing is perfect for single-item or personalized orders with no minimum quantity required. Whether it’s a one-off custom T-shirt for a gift or a special occasion, DTG ensures vibrant, high-quality results every time.
At Yes We Print, we guarantee the best prices for single-item orders while delivering exceptional quality and detail.
With DTG printing, design complexity doesn’t impact the cost. Whether your design includes intricate details, gradients, or unlimited colors, DTG handles it all seamlessly without additional charges. This is because DTG uses digital technology to print directly onto the fabric, eliminating the need for added steps or materials for more complex designs.
At Yes We Print, we guarantee the best prices for all designs—whether simple or highly detailed—while maintaining vibrant, high-quality results.
The choice between DTG and screen printing often comes down to your order size and design details:
At Yes We Print, we offer expert guidance to help you choose the most cost-efficient option for your project, paired with unmatched pricing and quality for both DTG and screen printing.
While some providers may include hidden costs in their DTG pricing, such as additional charges for rush orders, unique garments, or multicolored designs, that’s not the case with Yes We Print.
We pride ourselves on complete transparency, so you know exactly what you’re paying for upfront. Our pricing is straightforward, with no surprise fees. Whether you need a quick turnaround, dark garments requiring a white ink under base, or intricate designs, we provide a clear breakdown of all costs to ensure you get the best value without any hidden charges.
With Yes We Print, what you see is what you get—exceptional quality at the best prices in the industry with total transparency.
Here are some simple ways to reduce your DTG printing costs:
These tips, combined with Yes We Print’s transparent pricing and lowest price guarantee, ensure you get top-quality prints without overspending.
DTG printing isn’t just about putting a design on a shirt—it’s about capturing a moment, a purpose, a message, or a brand. It’s for those who need precision, who want every detail to stand out, and who refuse to compromise on quality, whether for one shirt or a hundred.
At Yes We Print, we understand that every order is personal. That’s why we’ve built our service around what matters most to you: speed, affordability, and unmatched quality. Need one shirt for a last-minute event? We’ve got you. Launching a bold new design for your business? We’ll help you make it unforgettable.
This isn’t about cutting corners or settling for average. It’s about getting the best printing, at the best price, delivered when you need it. Because when it comes to your designs, you shouldn’t have to compromise.
Ready to get started? Let Yes We Print handle your printing needs, so you can focus on making an impact. We’re here to print more than shirts—we’re here to help you succeed.
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