FAQs

Q: What technology is used to print on t-shirts (and any fabric product)?

A: Direct to Garment (DTG) is the standard method of printing.

Q: How durable are DTG printed shirts compared to Screen Printed shirts?

A: The printing industry experience is that DTG printed shirts are just as durable as screen printed shirts when it comes to washability.

Q: Why does my shirt have a vinegar smell?

A: When unpacking a new shirt or hoodie with a direct-to-garment (DTG print, you might notice a slight vinegar smell or an off-white residue. Don't worry, that's not unusual, it's from a fixation agent applied during the printing process and it's not permanent.

Fixation agent (sometimes known as pre-treatment) is used for all DTG prints across the printing industry. It helps the ink bond with the fabric, without it the ink would flake off the garment.

The solution is to simply wash the garment! Neither the smell or possible residue is permanent and both go away after one wash.

Q: How do I care for my DTG printed garment?

A: The latest DTG printing technology is used to create your garment with high quality inks that won't fade for a long time if taken care of properly.

The manufacturer's who produce the blank T-shirts don't take into consideration the DTG printing process on the garments care tag. Following the care instructions on this page is recommended so you know how to take care of your printed garments properly.

Printed apparel can be machine-washed cold, inside out on a gentle cycle with a mild laundry detergent and like colours. Use non-chlorine bleach only when necessary. You shouldn't use any fabric softeners or dry-clean the items.

DTG printed apparel can be tumble-dried on a low heat cycle, but hang dry works best.

When it comes to ironing, use cool iron inside-out. Don't iron the print.

Follow these instructions to avoid fading and cracking of the print and/or shrinking the garment that can occur if you wash or dry it on a high heat setting.