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What is Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing?

Discover how Direct to Garment printers (DTG printers) let you create retail-quality clothing by printing virtually any image on t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more!

Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is a garment printing method for creating customized apparel and accessories. Unlike complicated processes like screen printing, DTG printing is simple. Print full-color images directly onto garments, similar to any printing machine to print on paper. Print graphics and high-definition photos are as beautiful as any photo printer in fine detail and nearly unlimited colors. DTG printers utilize water-based DTG ink that is more environmentally friendly, vibrant, durable, and soft to the touch, and they even print on cotton and polyester.

How Does DTG Printing Work?

Direct-to-garment printing empowers print shops, garment decorators, and individuals to print high-quality images onto a wide range of clothing and accessories. Using DTG RIP software (free with all our DTG machines) to convert your image to a printable file that you send to your printer. Next comes the pre-treatment application. This critical step prepares the fabric to receive ink. Pre-treatment can be applied manually with a sprayer, using a dedicated machine, or through the automated system integrated into our latest innovation, the RICOH Ri 4000. After the pretreatment, our direct-to-garment printer utilizes digital inkjet technology to lay the printer ink directly on the fabric where it is absorbed and cured with a heat-pressing machine. The result is a soft, vibrant, long-lasting custom garment.

Watch DTG Printing in Action and Follow Our Easy 3-Step Digital Printing Process

Gain a better understanding of direct to garment printers live in this video of the award-winning RICOH Ri 1000 direct to garment printer. Watch the shirt printing process on a pro DTG printer — from designing and processing with RIP software to finishing the garment on a heat press.

Watch the video
ColorGATE usage

Step 1. Design and Pretreat

Design graphics in Photoshop, Illustrator, or any design application and save your artwork in PNG, JPEG, or TIFF format. Use our ColorGATE software to control ink settings, graphics placement, and other options. Click print from the application to send your artwork directly to the RICOH DTG printer. Before printing, pretreatment is typically applied using a pretreatment machine or manually spraying a special solution to enhance color vibrancy and wash fastness. The RICOH Ri 4000 features built-in automatic pretreatment, delivering the best results and significant time savings.

Step 2. Printing

First, pre-press the garment to bring the fibers down. Then, load your garment onto the printer, preview your image on the console, and press the print button. With superfast print speeds, the printer applies ink in a single pass for light-colored garments and two passes for dark-colored garments – starting with a white ink underbase followed by a CMYK ink layer.

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RICOH Ri 1000 FB Slideshow 09

Step 3. Curing

In 60 to 90 seconds, heat press machines will cure the ink into the shirt. Tunnel dryers also work when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Ricoh DTG printers produce vibrant print quality because you can print millions of colors in one pass. Print gradients, text, photos, and more on any apparel and accessories — including the ability to print directly on polyester with the Ricoh Ri 4000.

Which DTG printer is right for you?

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Ri 4000

Print on 100% polyester and cotton. Eliminate the need for manual pretreatment. Our most advanced DTG printer (with DTF printing capability) has unparalleled efficiency and garment versatility for high-performing businesses and print shops.

From $400/mo*
  • Prints on 100% polyester, cotton, and blends in any color
  • Built-in Pretreatment cuts manual labor
  • Improved savings on inks and consumables
  • Improved automatic maintenance system
Get the Ri 4000
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Ri 2000

Delivering uncompromisingly high performance, innovative features, and unrivaled value. Perfect for larger business, industrial use, and schools and universities.

From $290/mo.*

  • Automatic table height adjustment
  • Prints on light garments in less than 10 seconds
  • Innovative auto head cleaning jig
  • Automated maintenance systems
Get the Ri 2000
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Ri 1000X

The perfect DTG printer for print shops and businesses is now even better. Print on virtually any garment with greater color brightness and less ink consumption.

From $275/mo.*

  • One-click dark garment printing mode
  • Quick switch to direct-to-film printing
  • Strengthened platen with finer controls
  • Reduced ink usage and simplified cleaning
Get the Ri 1000x
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Ri 100

The world’s first compact all-in-one custom garment printing system. An affordable choice for small businesses and startups looking to expand their decoration services.

Limited time offer $3,276
  • Portable and easy to use
  • 1,200 dpi
  • Ricoh garment ink
  • Optional heat press finisher
Get the Ri 100
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Print Technology Comparison

View our DTG technology comparison matrix to compare different garment printing technologies, such as dye sublimation, to see which type is right for you.

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Garment Decoration Industry

Success in apparel printing requires the right plan, the right equipment, and the right printing solutions. See the amazing ways the garment decorators are using DTG.

Direct to Garment Printing FAQs

Can you use a DTG printer for DTF direct to film transfer?

Yes, Ricoh DTG printers can also be used as DTF printers, unlike other manufacturers. These models support dual function DTG and DTF printing: Ricoh Ri 4000, Ricoh Ri 2000, Ricoh Ri 1000x. Because our DTG printers have the same functionality as a DTF transfer printer, you don't need to worry about separate DTF ink or DTF cleaning supplies. Contact us to learn more about our prepackaged supplies like heat transfer paper, bulk ink cartridges, and more.

How much is a direct to garment printer?

The price of direct to garment printers ranges from under $5,000 to $400,000. Ricoh offers an entrylevel DTG printer, the all-in-one Ri 100 has an MSRP of $4,950 and comes with more than enough tshirt printing consumables to pay off the printer and make a profit. And our industry-leading Ricoh Ri 1000X, ideal for industry newcomers and veterans alike, retails for $15,950.

Is direct to garment (DTG) printing good quality?

Yes. When pretreated and cured correctly, the print will last the life of the garment and age along with it. DTG prints are soft, yet durable and washable.

Which is the best DTG printer?

Elevate your apparel printing experience to a whole new level with our Ricoh DTG printers featuring cutting-edge Ricoh printhead technology. Ricoh is synonymous with reliability and innovation, trusted by businesses worldwide. We have four DTG/DTF printers to choose from, available in standard edition and packaged bundles by contacting sales: Ricoh Ri4000, Ricoh Ri2000, Ricoh Ri1000x, Ricoh Ri100. 

Is DTG printing profitable?

Yes, direct to garment (DTG) printing is profitable! Check out our infographic and article that shows how much money you can make with DTG. Ask us about our current customers and what they think about our DTG printers.

Is DTG printing just a tshirt printing machine?

DTG printers are so much more than just for tshirts. You can print on any type of apparel that you want, such as hats, hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, leggings, tote bags, socks, and even buttoned/zippered garments. While most DTG printers print on materials like cotton, Ricoh enables direct to garment printing on polyester as well. Learn more about our flagship Ricoh Ri 4000 DTG/DTF printer.

Contact our DTG printing experts

Have more questions about direct to garment printing?

As a pioneer in the direct-to-garment printing industry, Ricoh has a proven track record of designing and manufacturing the best DTG printers in the industry. We also have a long history of serving as a strategic partner for our customers, offering advice and guidance on running a successful DTG business. Whether you have a technical question about how direct-to-garment printers work or would like advice on how to make money with direct-to-garment-printing, our DTG experts are here to help.