The use of digital textile printing machines for direct-to-garment (DTG), continues to grow rapidly and is gaining popularity worldwide. As a technology built to deliver speed to market, it’s built for on-demand production and as such sustainable manufacturing—driving down inventory and production costs. Debbie McKeegan is a textiles expert who contributes to WhatTheyThink. In this article you will learn about DTG options as well the expanding field direct-to-film garment printing.
(Image courtesy Texintel
With a vertical ascent expected, direct-to–garment (DTG), production continues to grow. The DTG digital textile printing machine continues to be a highly successful business model that is gaining momentum worldwide. As a technology built to deliver speed to market, it’s built for on-demand production and as such sustainable manufacturing—driving down inventory and production costs.
DTG printing’s market value, which was US$822,000,000 in 2022, will rise to US$1,820,000,000 by 2032 at an annual growth rate 8.3% (FMI). This is more than a doubling of the global market in a decade, many experts pointing out the unique advantages of direct to garment printing. These advantages include ease of entry, a “nil finished inventory” business model, and moving in lockstep with the market shift to customization and print-on-demand ecommerce.
Innovations continue to be a driving force in this sector.
Kornit Digital (KD) has made considerable strides with its inks particularly for polyester fabrics, where its Neopigment™ Olympia ink is its unique, innovative ink for high-quality printing on polyester, delivering a wider color gamut, solid color coverage, and precise Pantone color-matching. This eco-friendly, sustainable ink is made in-house and designed specifically for Kornit Systems to meet the highest sustainability standards.
You will enjoy outstanding durability and hand feeling, as well as a higher L value and greater opacity for bright print. Additionally, you can get increased strength and flexibility to increase print elongation. These attributes ensure that KD machinery meets the highest standards of retail quality and durability.
DTF (direct to film) technology is poised for even greater success. These innovations in print are thick and quick for garment production on demand. DTF printing is one the most versatile methods in the print industry. It offers incredible color vibrancy, as well as fabric versatility. DTF printing allows you to work with more difficult fabrics such as nylon, fleece, nylon, or classic cotton.
DTF printing refers to printing a design onto PET Film (a special film with an adhesive coating that helps transfer designs). This is done using water-based and powder inks. The PET film’s design is heat transferred onto fabric with a heat press. This printing method is durable and the design’s print quality is impressive, detailed, and the colors vibrant.
Roland DG, Mutoh, and Sublistar are leaders in this area. Ricoh also offers DTF printing options.
Supply is plentiful as there are plenty of blank apparel manufacturers waiting to supply DTG. A wide variety of blank apparel is available to potential producers, including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and V-necks. They can find it all at Bella Canvas and Fruit of the Loom in America, as well as many European wholesalers. In order to meet consumer demand, DTG suppliers are adapting to ensure that the DTG market has a good supply of organic, certified cellulose, and rPET-recycled polyester print bases.
Brother GTX Pro bulk offers the best price-quality ratio. The Brother GTX Pro bulk can produce 14,000 T shirts per week during an eight-hour shift. Brother DTG Direct to Garment Printer Inks are manufactured according to Brother DTG’s exclusive formulation, providing the best possible results from a DTG printer.
These Brother Direct to Garment Printer Inks are among the first to not only carry the Oeko-Tex® Certification, but also to be GOTS APPROVED and CPSIA-compliant to help ensure they are safe for printing and are environmentally responsible. They also have the highest washfastness in DTG.
The Kornit Digital DTG range is a new line of machines that will provide the highest in speed and efficiency as well as flexibility and profitability.
As if the XDI profile ink system isn’t enough, Kornit machines from the Atlas to the Vulcan provide the perfect platform for an up-to-date and profitable digital printroom and, in 2023, Kornit is about to promote its new Apollo system. The manufacturer recently unveiled the Apollo machine, which uses its Max technology to offer “the highest retail quality combined with full automation control and integrated smart curing processes.”
The printer also utilizes technology from Lichtenau, Germany-based Tesoma, Kornit’s most recent acquisition. Kornit said, “the single-step end-to-end system addresses accelerated post-pandemic market trends for streamlined supply chains and production nearshoring.”
It will likely be available in mid-2023 after early customer engagements during the second half 2022.
The direct-to-garment sector is booming because of innovation, efficiency and rapid production.
We are also witnessing the emergence of hybrid machinery. Hybrid DTG printing is a combination of screen printing and digital print. This technology has attracted particular attention. Aeoon’s Kyo Hybrid DTG printer is an outstanding example. The Kyo Hybrid Series combines both screen and digital textile printing. It is ideal for companies that need high volumes of printing and has unique production flexibility.
A combination of screen printing and DTG printing can be combined. This combination delivers a great finish and significant savings on the ink consumption.
DTG success stories range from Inkthreadable, Printful and more. The DTG sector is meeting the market expectations for a textile segment that will experience significant and irreversible expansion. We have a lot of things to look forward to over the next few years with the addition of DTF technologies as well as hybrid print solutions.
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