The Logo Store offers direct-to-garment (DTG) printing in Austin for custom shirts with full-color designs, photographic detail, and complex artwork. Unlike screen printing, which uses separate ink screens for each color, DTG printing sprays water-based ink directly onto the fabric through a specialized inkjet printer. The result is unlimited colors, crisp details, and no minimum order size — making it the ideal method for small-batch orders, photo prints, and detailed artwork that screen printing can’t easily replicate. We handle DTG orders from single-piece projects to bulk runs at our Austin shop.

Direct-to-garment printing is a digital inkjet process that prints your design directly onto the fabric using specialized water-based inks. The garment is pre-treated, loaded onto a flat platen, and passes through an industrial inkjet printer that lays down color exactly where your design calls for it. Once printed, the ink is heat-cured to bond with the fabric.

DTG produces prints that feel soft to the touch, reproduce fine details with precision, and handle unlimited colors and gradients in a single print. It’s often compared to a high-quality photo printed directly onto your shirt.

DTG printing shines in specific situations:

• Small-batch orders — no minimum, cost-effective for 1 to 50 pieces
• Photo-realistic designs — handles gradients, shadows, and photographic detail
• Full-color artwork — unlimited colors without screen setup costs
• Complex logos — tiny text, fine lines, and intricate details reproduce clearly
• Custom one-off designs — single-piece orders for gifts, samples, or test prints
• Short turnaround — no screen setup means faster production for small orders
• Cotton-heavy garments — DTG works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends

Both methods produce excellent results, but they serve different needs.

Choose DTG When:

• Your order is under 50 pieces
• Your design has many colors, gradients, or photographic elements
• You need fine details or very small text
• You want a soft hand feel on the print
• Budget flexibility matters more than ink longevity

Choose Screen Printing When:

• Your order is 50+ pieces (per-unit cost drops significantly)
• Your design has 1 to 4 solid colors
• You need the most durable, long-lasting print
• You’re printing on specialty fabrics or athletic wear
• You want the classic, opaque screen-printed look

For larger orders with limited colors, our screen printing services are usually the better fit. For small batches with detailed designs, DTG wins.

DTG works best on fabrics that absorb water-based inks well:

• 100% Cotton — Ideal. Best color reproduction and print clarity.
• High-Cotton Blends (85%+ cotton) — Strong results, minor color shift on polyester areas
• Tri-blends and Vintage Cotton — Good results with a slightly muted, vintage look
• 50/50 Cotton-Poly — Acceptable but colors may appear less vibrant
• 100% Polyester — Not recommended for DTG; heat transfer or sublimation is better

We’ll guide you to the right blank for your specific design. If you’re bringing your own garments, let us know the fabric so we can confirm DTG compatibility before production starts.

Every DTG order at The Logo Store follows a consistent process to deliver clean, vibrant results:

1. Design prep — Our team preps your artwork, adjusts colors, and confirms print size
2. Digital proof — We send a digital proof for your approval before production begins
3. Garment pre-treatment — Shirts are sprayed with a pre-treatment solution to help ink bond
4. DTG print — Your design is printed directly onto the fabric by our industrial DTG printer
5. Heat cure — Ink is heat-cured to bond permanently with the fabric
6. Quality check — Every shirt is inspected for color accuracy, clarity, and alignment
7. Pickup or delivery — Your order is ready for pickup at our Austin shop or local delivery

DTG offers faster turnaround than screen printing for small orders because there’s no screen setup. Standard turnaround times are:

• 1 to 12 pieces: 3 to 7 business days
• 13 to 50 pieces: 5 to 10 business days
• 50 to 100 pieces: 7 to 14 business days

Rush options are available for additional fees when timing is tight. For Austin events like SXSW, ACL, and corporate offsites, we can often turn DTG jobs in 48 to 72 hours depending on volume.

DTG has a major advantage over screen printing: no minimum order. You can order a single shirt with a photo-quality design and pay a fair per-unit price. Pricing depends on:

• Design size and complexity
• Shirt quantity
• Fabric type
• Print location (single side vs front and back)

Basic DTG prints on cotton tees typically start around $20 to $30 each for single pieces and decrease as quantity increases. Request a free quote and we’ll build an itemized estimate.

DTG is a popular choice for:

• Tech companies and startups — small-batch onboarding gear, event-specific shirts
• Artists and designers — reproducing detailed artwork on merchandise
• Photographers — photo prints on tees and tote bags
• Small businesses — test runs before committing to bulk orders
• Austin music and film — custom one-off promotional shirts
• Event organizers — short-run event apparel
• Wedding and party planners — personalized small-quantity apparel
• Gift shops and boutiques — small retail runs

Three of our most common small-batch printing methods serve different needs:

DTG Printing — Best for photo-realistic, full-color designs on cotton. Soft hand feel. No minimum order.

Heat Press & Vinyl — Best for simple names, numbers, and single-color designs. Fast and flexible for small jobs. Read more on our heat press services page.

Embroidery — Best for premium, textured logos on polos, hats, and jackets. Longest durability. Read more on our embroidery services page.

Our team will walk you through which method fits your design, fabric, quantity, and budget when you request a quote.

What’s the difference between DTG printing and screen printing?

DTG uses a specialized inkjet printer to spray ink directly onto the fabric, producing unlimited colors and fine details with no minimum order. Screen printing uses separate ink screens per color, which requires setup but produces more durable, vibrant prints at high volume. DTG is better for small batches and complex designs; screen printing is better for bulk orders with limited colors.

Does DTG printing work on black shirts?

Yes. DTG printers use a white ink layer as a base on dark garments, allowing full-color designs to appear vibrant on black, navy, and other dark shirts.

How long does DTG ink last?

Quality DTG prints can last the lifetime of the shirt when cared for properly. Wash inside-out in cold water, avoid harsh detergents, and tumble dry low. Over many washes, DTG prints may fade slightly compared to screen printing, but they remain strong and visible.

Can you DTG print on my own shirts?

Yes, in most cases. Bring your shirts in and we’ll confirm the fabric is DTG-compatible (100% cotton or high-cotton blends work best). We’ll also check for any coatings or treatments that might interfere with the ink.

Is DTG printing more expensive than screen printing?

For small orders (under 25 pieces), DTG is usually more affordable because there’s no screen setup cost. For large orders (100+), screen printing becomes cheaper per unit because screens are reused across many prints.

How do I prepare my design for DTG printing?

Send your highest-resolution file. Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) are ideal. For raster images, use 300 DPI at the print size. DTG handles complex designs well, but clear, high-resolution source files produce the best results.