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In the ever-evolving world of printing technology, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing has emerged as a revolutionary method, blending cutting-edge technology with the art of creating custom products. Whether you’re a small business owner, a designer, or simply someone interested in personalized apparel, understanding the DTG printing process can open up a world of creative possibilities — especially with the growing number of direct to garment printing companies offering services today.
What is Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing?
Direct-to-garment printing is a process where digital images are printed directly onto textiles using specialized inkjet technology. Unlike traditional screen printing, which requires separate screens for each color, It allows for full-color prints with intricate details. This method is ideal for producing high-quality prints on demand, making it perfect for short runs and custom orders.
The Technology Behind DTG Printing
DTG printing utilizes advanced technology to achieve its impressive results. Custom-made printers are designed specifically for this process, using water-based inks that are absorbed by the fibers of the garment. This results in prints that are vibrant, durable, and soft to the touch.
Key Features of DTG Printing Technology
- 1. High-Resolution Printing: Direct to garment t shirt printers can produce images with a resolution of up to 1200 DPI, ensuring that even the most intricate designs are rendered accurately.
- 2. Full-Color Range: With direct-to-garment, you can print designs in a full spectrum of colors, including gradients and photorealistic images.
- 3. Eco-Friendly Inks: The water-based inks used in DTG printing are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, making them a sustainable choice for custom apparel.
Benefits of DTG Printing

This printing style offers several advantages over traditional printing methods, making it an attractive option for businesses and individuals alike.
Customization and Flexibility
One of the most significant benefits of DTG t shirt printing is its ability to handle custom designs with ease. Whether you need a single shirt or a bulk order, DTG can accommodate your needs without compromising on quality. It’s no surprise that DTG printing Los Angeles providers are seeing a surge in demand for personalized apparel solutions.
Cost-Effectiveness
For small batches and one-off designs, it is more cost-effective than screen printing. There are no setup fees, and the price per unit decreases with larger orders, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.
Quick Turnaround
With DTG printing, you can expect faster turnaround times compared to traditional methods. The digital process eliminates the need for creating screens, reducing production time and allowing for quicker delivery.
High-Quality Prints
It produces high-quality prints that are durable and resistant to fading. The prints are also soft to the touch, ensuring that the garments remain comfortable to wear.
Applications of DTG Printing

It is incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of applications. Here are some popular uses:
Custom Apparel
From branded t-shirts and hoodies to custom tote bags and hats, it can be used to create custom apparel for personal use, promotional events, or retail purposes.
Personalized Gifts
This printing style is perfect for creating personalized gifts, such as photo t-shirts, custom onesies for babies, or unique designs for special occasions.
Small Business Merchandise
For small businesses, it offers an affordable way to produce branded apparel. You can create custom tees featuring your logo, artwork, or slogan without the need for large minimum orders — a major advantage when working with trusted direct to garment printing companies.
If your business is growing and ready to scale beyond small runs, bulk custom apparel printing services can give you the efficiency and reach you need.
Limited Edition Runs
Artists and designers can use custom direct to garment printing to produce limited edition runs of their work. This allows for greater flexibility in experimenting with different designs and reaching niche markets.
Conclusion
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is transforming the world of custom apparel with its advanced technology, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you’re looking to create corporate gifts for employees, branded merchandise, company swag, or unique designs, DTG offers a high-quality solution that meets your needs. If you’re in search of reliable DTG printing Los Angeles providers, look for experienced direct to garment printing companies that can help you bring your creative visions to life. Embrace the future of printing technology and unleash your creativity with DTG!
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Hanes
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Helly Hansen
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Johnnie-O
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Liberty Bags
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M&O
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Contact Us
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There is a 100 piece minimum to work with a sales rep.
For online orders
Screen Printing: 12 pieces minimum
Embroidery: 1 piece minimum
Water-based Transfers: 1 pieces minimum
Direct-To-Garment: 1 pieces minimum
Patches: 25 pieces minimum
Office: (323) 261-8700
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Basic info
Your dedicated account rep is here to keep you updated and offer real time suggestions and project navigation every step of the way. Online ordering and live price quotes available here.
Have you ordered custom apparel & headwear before?
This will help us tailor the experience depending on your experience and know how to best support you.
Which services are you interested in?
Select one or as many of the services below you are interested in.
Do you already know what products you would like to order?
If you need help to identify the correct product for the correct demographic at the correct price point, select "I need help searching" and we will ask you a few additional questions to allow us to submit the best options for your project.
Tell us a little about your target demographic
We want to make sure your recipients will love and wear the merch you create time and time again. These questions will really help us identify the products that will best fit your audience.
Design Included in price
- Embroidery - Up to 4” x 4” or 8k stitches ( standard logo placements, +$1.50 per 1k stitches )
- Screen Print - Up to 15x18” 1-6 Colors, any larger custom quote, would need to see mock up, submit request here ( link to /contact form )
- Digital / DTG - Up to 14x16” ( +$5 for 15x18” )
- Patches - Up to 3.5” x 3.5” ( + $4.35 up to 5” x 5” )
- Waterbased Transfers - Up to 11x15” ( +$4.85 extra for any larger up to 13.5x17” )
Minimum Order Quantity
- Embroidery-1 piece min.
- Screen Print-12 pieces min.
- Digital / DTG-1 piece min.
- Patches-25 pieces min.
- Waterbased Transfers-1 piece min.
Edit Quantity
Choose Colors & Sizes
Enter your quantity per size
Please make sure that you have reached minimum order quantity for preferred option. MOQ descriptions you can find
Finishing Services
Fold & Poly Bag
DTLA Print has an in house finishing department in its facility with trained individuals to professionally fold and bag your garments. Bags can be provided with customizable options, however we use a 1 mill flat poly bag which can be air sealed or taped shut.
$0.95/Shirt
+ 2 days
Size Sticker
Add a size sticker to the outside of each garment or poly bag to easily identify the size of a garment. Packages do come separated by size how ever many retailers and fulfillment centers do require these stickers.
$0.65/Shirt
+ 2 days
Custom UPC Label
We will print & apply a custom UPC label for any retailer, 3rd party logistics or fulfillment partner you work with.
$0.75/Shirt
+ 2 days
Hang Tag
Incorporating price tickets and hang tags securely with a pin, while offering a diverse array of sizes, colors, and finishes, significantly enhances the perceived quality and overall appeal of your garment. Additionally, not only elevate the garment’s perceived value but also provide essential product information, giving your customers a more informed and satisfying shopping experience.
$1.8/Shirt
+ 14 days
Woven Main Label
Create a fully custom woven main label. Includes the actual label itself and the sewing of the label. We will reach out to discuss the woven label material choices, shapes, and design. Please note this does add extra business days to the production time.
$2.75/Shirt
+ 14 days
Woven Hem Label
Create a fully custom woven hem label. Similar to the main label, this includes the actual label itself and the sewing of the label. We will reach out to discuss the woven label material choices, shapes, and design. Please note this does add extra business days to the production time. Hem labels go anywhere except the neck label of a garment.
$1.85/Shirt
+ 14 days
Design guidelines
Embroidery
Standard Size
4.5” W but larger can be requested
Max Size
Not common, but possible
File Formats
PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, PNG
Max Thread Colors
12
Specialty Threads
Metallic & 3D Puff
File Specs
Scaled to size or larger with transparent background
Screen Print
Standard Size
3” - 12” depending on location
Max Size
15x18” *special request
File Formats
PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, PNG
Max Colors
8
Specialty Inks
3M Reflective, Water-based, Plastisol, Puff, Etc...
File Specs
Scaled to size or larger with transparent background
Digital / DTG
Max Size
15x18”
File Formats
PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
Max Colors
Unlimited
File Specs
300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
Patches
Max Size
10x13.5”
File Formats
PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
Max Colors
Unlimited
File Specs
300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
Waterbased Transfers
Max Size
15x18”
File Formats
PNG preferred, ( also acceptable; PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, JPG )
Max Colors
Unlimited
File Specs
300 DPI scaled to size or larger with a transparent background
Upload Design
Upload Mockups
Don’t worry! Every order is triple checked even if it does not look perfect in this demo.
Do you want us to remove the background?
Our new AI tool will remove the background from the image 100% automatically and free.
Max File Size: 15 MB. For any files larger than 15MB please send via wetransfer.com or dropbox.com and share with [email protected]
Order option
We refer to “Blanks” as garments or products with out any decoration, logo, modification, etc... Essentially it is a product that has yet to be customized.
Blanks are typically ordered to test the fit, fabric, & feel but can also be purchased in bulk to customize on your own or be worn blank.
# of Colors
# of Colors In Screen Print
1 Colour
2 Colour
4 Colour
6 Colour
In screen printing, this is a reference to how many different colors are found in your design. We don’t charge for the base layer so only count the different colors you find in your design / logo.
Counting More than 6 Colors ?
More than 6
We recommend the Digital or Waterbased Transfer Print method for
Photographic / Gradient Designs
Gradient
Photographic
If your deisgn is a photograph, has shading or gradients, add your best guess at number of colors. We will review once received.
Position
Tell us where on the garment you would like the specific design or logo and your account rep will create you a proper mock up to ensure that the design is printed as you intended.
Don’t worry if you don’t place it perfectly, we triple review each order to ensure satisfaction.
Front
Back
Left
Right
Neck Label
Decoration Methods Explained
Fabric
Minimums
Photo Quality
Set up Fees
Large Volume
Low Volume
Specialty Inks
Eco-Friendly Inks
Black Ink
Pantone Matching
Color Vibrancy
Wash
Consistency
Screen Printing
Water-based Transfer
Direct to Garment
Embroidery
Patches
Screen Printing
Water-based Transfer
Direct to Garment
Embroidery
Patches
View Fabric + Ink Chart
Any
Recommend 100% Cotton For Best
Any
Any
25-100 pieces depending on # of colors
1 piece
1 piece
3 pcs
25 piece
A-to C+ depending on image
A+
A+
N/A
N/A
Per Color
Free
Free
Included
Included
Price Lowers Significantly
Price Lowers
Price Remains after 1k units
Small drop in pricing as quantities increase
Small drop in pricing as quantities increase
Expensive Initial Set Up Costs
Easy/No Set Up Free Pricing
Easy/No Set Up Free Pricing
Higher per unit price at low volume
Higher per unit price at low volume
Yes
No
No
3D Puff & Metallic Threads
3D Puff & Metallic Threads
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
N/A
Most Rich & Dark Blank Prints
Jet Black/100% Black Available
Black Prints Max Out At 90% Vibrancy
N/A
N/A
Yes
Yes
No
N/A
N/A
Best
Amazing Results on Any Fabric
Best on 100% Cotton
Vibrant
Vibrant
A+
A+
A- / B+ Depending on Fabric Blend
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
A+
Screen Print - Ink Types
Eco-Friendly
Eco friendly inks + screen prints are the true green alternative to screen printing. These inks replace traditional harmful inks and are 100% PVC and phthalate free.
Stretch
Mostly used for athletic/activewear fabrics such as nylons, spandex, polyesters, rayons, lycra, that have a lot of stretch but can also be screen printed on other blends for different textures. These inks will make your prints stretch with the fabric and do not create cracks or creases when stretched. These should be printed on all sports jerseys, yoga apparel, athletic uniforms, and activewear.
3M Reflective
We offer the 3M reflective ink prints as well as a standard reflective print that come in either a water-based (eco-friendly) or plastisol-based ink with the unique ability to reflect once a light source is aimed at the print. Popular uses for this new ink includes police departments, fire departments, E.M.S., and other safety professions. Has recently become extremely popular in the skate, surf, urban, and street apparel industries.
Water-Based
Well known for their soft feel and vibrant colors they produce when printed onto t-shirts and other textiles. When printed water based inks leave no hand feel behind so you can feel the fibers of the garment.
Puff
Inks that expands and rises when heated, giving a three dimensional look with a raised feel. Any Los Angeles t-shirt printer can buy inks and print them, but the real beauty and art of screen printing on t-shirts comes when you can mix inks correctly and accurately. Controlling how the puff inks actually puff is one example.
Plastisol
Silk screen t-shirt printing with plastisol is the oldest and most commonly used ink across the market to screen print your custom t shirts. The misconception how ever is that all inks are the same.
Crack Ink
Specialty Order Off-Site
Available in both water based and discharge inks. The ink actually cracks in pieces the way you want it to so no two pieces will be alike. Great for vintage washed out looks while still brand new. This is custom silk screen printing at its best.
High Density
Specialty Order Off-Site
Perfect for creating custom silk screened T-shirts right here in Los Angeles. High Density inks can be matched to any color and rises in the drying process to create a 3D look. Inks can be raised to your desired height or width and can be printed with other high density inks of different sizes.
Burn Out
Specialty Order Off-Site
Burnout is a special screen printing process we use to removes the cotton fibers from a shirt, leaving only the polyester intact. It's perfect if you want to give your T-shirt designs that really cool see-through look.
Flocking
Specialty Order Off-Site
Flocking screen printing can add a new dimension to your materials. Tiny particles of fiber are applied to a material with an adhesive, adding a suede-like or velvet texture to the surface. We color the fiber according to your designs, and you end up with products that stand out from the rest.
Water-based. w/ Base
Water-based. w/ Base
Oil Based. w/ Base
Oil Based. w/o Base
High Density
Puff
Stretch
Silicone
100% Cotton
90% Cotton
10% Poly
50% Cotton
50% Poly
Tri-Blends
100%
Polyester
95% Poly 5%
Spandex
What is Tax Exempt
Tax exemption is the reduction or removal of a liability to make a compulsory payment that would otherwise be imposed by a ruling power upon persons, property, income, or transactions. Tax-exempt status may provide complete relief from taxes, reduced rates, or tax on only a portion of items. Examples include exemption of charitable organizations from property taxes and income taxes, veterans, and certain cross-border or multi-jurisdictional scenarios.
*Only orders shipped with in California are charged tax unless a a valid CA resale form is provided.
How fast do you want us to produce your order?
Production time is separate from shipping
If you're in a hurry to receive your order, we offer an expedited service to fast-track the production process. While this option incurs additional charges, it ensures you get your product sooner. However, if time is not a pressing concern, you can stick to our standard production schedule at no extra cost. We believe in providing you with the flexibility to choose the timeline that best suits your needs.
Request a Callback
Please provide the best contact number for our team to reach out to you on, your account rep will reach out within 24-48 business hours.
A 100 piece minimum is needed for an account rep to handle your order.