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Only the DTG (direct-to-garment printing) printing process is used for our t-shirts!

How does DTG printing work?

Direct-to-garment printing, or DTG printing for short, is an innovative process for creating high-quality, individually printed textiles. At Lakesidestuff we use this technology to transfer unique and vibrant designs directly onto t-shirts and other garments. Here's how this fascinating process works:

Step 1: Preparing the Design

The process begins with creating or selecting the desired design to be printed on the textile. This design is created digitally by us and is of high quality for a clear and detailed result.

Step 2: Preparing the textile

The textile to be printed on is placed on a special printing plate or printing frame. It is important that the textile is smooth and clean to ensure that printing is even and without defects.

Step 3: Printing the Design

The DTG printer is equipped with ink tanks that contain different colors, similar to an inkjet printer. The design is then printed directly onto the textile, with the DTG printer's print head spraying the ink onto the fabric in tiny droplets. This process is extremely precise and allows for the representation of fine details and vivid colors.

Step 4: Fixing the print

After the design is printed onto the textile, the ink needs to be fixed to ensure it sticks permanently. This is usually done through heat treatment or drying. The textiles are heated in special drying ovens to fix the ink and prevent the print from fading and rubbing off.

Step 5: Finishing

After the print has been fixed, the textile is further processed to prepare it for shipping. This includes ironing, folding and packaging the printed textile.

DTG printing offers the advantage of being able to transfer high-resolution and detailed designs onto textiles, making it ideal for creating custom clothing and merchandise. It also allows you to print photorealism and complex gradients, which may be more difficult with other printing methods.

In DTG printing, in contrast to screen printing, the ink penetrates the fabric. This means that the ink fuses with the fibers of the textile instead of just lying on the surface. This results in a soft, natural feel and a long-lasting print that is less susceptible to abrasion and fading.