DTG Printing
No minimums, full color designs
Direct-to-Garment printing for any occasion
When your design calls for photo quality detail or your order calls for a small quantity, GoTeez's DTG (direct-to-garment) printing delivers. We print full color, high resolution graphics directly onto fabric for businesses, organizations, teams, and individuals who need exceptional detail without a minimum order standing in the way.
DTG Printing Services with GoTeez
world-class design + production
Photo realistic detail, soft prints, and color accuracy that brings even the most complex artwork to life.
Competitive Pricing, every time
No minimums, no markup games. GoTeez prices DTG fairly whether you need one shirt or one hundred.
Big shop quality, Small-town care
We're a family run business and we work hard for all our customers because most are our neighbors. We take pride in our work, so your satisfaction is guaranteed.
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Answers to common DTG printing questions
What is DTG printing?
DTG stands for Direct to Garment. It works similarly to an inkjet printer — but instead of printing on paper, it prints directly onto the fabric of your garment. Water-based inks are applied into the fabric fibers, producing a soft, natural-feel print that becomes part of the shirt rather than sitting on top of it.
DTG is ideal for small quantities and designs with many colors, gradients, or photographic detail. If you want one custom shirt printed exactly the way your artwork looks with full color and no minimums, DTG is the method to go with.
How is DTG different from screen printing?
Screen printing is a setup-intensive process with per-color fees and a minimum quantity (24 pieces at GoTeez). It's the most durable and cost-effective option for bulk orders with limited colors.
DTG has no color fees, no minimum, and handles complex artwork beautifully. The trade-off: DTG is more expensive per piece at high quantities, and print quality is most consistent on 100% cotton garments. If you're ordering 24+ pieces of a simple 2-color design, screen printing will almost certainly be the better value. If you need 6 shirts with a photographic design, DTG is the right call.
Our team will recommend the right method for your situation, not just push you toward whichever one is easiest to sell.
What garments work best with DTG printing?
DTG performs best on 100% cotton garments with a tight knit construction. The inks absorb into natural cotton fibers more reliably than synthetic fibers. Ring-spun and combed cotton tees (Bella+Canvas, Next Level) are ideal.
Polyester blends can be printed on but may show reduced vibrancy and may require additional pretreatment. We'll advise you on the best blank for your design and quantity. Dark-colored garments require a white underbase pretreatment step, which adds time and is factored into pricing.
What's the minimum order for DTG printing?
No minimum. You can order a single shirt with DTG printing. This is what makes DTG so valuable for custom one-offs, personalized gifts, samples, or small-run merch drops where you don't want to commit to screen printing minimums.
If you're looking to order larger quantities (24+), we'll quote both DTG and screen printing so you can make an informed choice based on your design and budget.
What file format should I use for DTG printing?
The ideal file is a PNG with a transparent background at 300 DPI at print size. High-resolution files produce the sharpest output. JPEGs are acceptable but may show compression artifacts on closer inspection.
Because DTG supports full color, you don't need to separate your design into spot colors. Just submit your full-color artwork as-is. If you're unsure about your file quality, send it over and we'll evaluate it for free.
How durable is DTG printing?
DTG prints, when cared for properly, are durable and long-lasting. That said, they're softer and more integrated into the fabric than screen printing, so proper care matters more. We recommend washing inside out in cold water and tumble drying on low or hang drying. Avoid bleach and high-heat dryer cycles.
Garments that are washed properly will hold their DTG prints well through dozens of washes. Garments that go through hot commercial washing regularly (like restaurant uniforms) may see faster fading. In those cases, screen printing or DTF is typically a better fit.
Can you DTG print on dark-colored shirts?
Yes. Dark garments require a white underbase, which is a layer of white ink applied and cured before the color layer is printed on top of it. This step ensures your colors appear vivid and accurate on a dark background. Without it, colors would look muted or invisible on black or navy shirts.
The underbase step adds slightly to cost and production time, but it's a standard part of our DTG process for all dark-colored garment orders.
How many colors can a DTG print include?
DTG printing is full CMYK color with no per-color fees. Photographic prints, gradient artwork, illustrated designs with dozens of colors are all handled at no extra charge. This is one of DTG's biggest advantages over screen printing for complex designs.
How long does a DTG order take?
Standard turnaround for DTG orders is 5–7 business days from artwork approval. Small single-piece orders may move faster depending on current production volume.
We serve customers across Knoxville, Maryville, Alcoa, and East Tennessee. Local pickup available.
Should I choose DTG or DTF for my project?
Both produce full-color, high-quality results with these key differences:
- DTG prints directly into the fabric which produces a softer feel, best on 100% cotton, requires pretreatment on dark garments.
- DTF transfers onto film then heat-presses to the garment. This option works on virtually any fabric type, slightly more raised texture, no pretreatment needed.
For 100% cotton garments with complex artwork in small quantities, either works well. For polyester blends, performance wear, hats, or unusual items, DTF typically delivers more consistent results. Our team will help you choose the best option, just tell us what you're printing on and we'll point you in the right direction.