Impressions - January 2016 - 70

think.
make.
do.

DIRECT-TO-GARMENT
Like this article? Find these and more direct-to-garment
printing articles at impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating.

DTG the
Right Way
Controlling variables in four areas
can yield superior printing results.
BY TERRY COMBS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DECORATORS USUALLY LOVE attending
industry trade shows because of
the bevy of educational and networking opportunities they present
and the chance to meet with their
suppliers - all under one roof.
But another benefit of
visiting with exhibitors -
particularly equipment manufacturers - is seeing the graphic
output they can achieve with

their machines, regardless of
whether it's a screen-printing
press or direct-to-garment (DTG)
printer, on different substrates.
Regarding the latter, it's safe
to assume the DTG samples being
printed are optimal files and
the substrates (shirts) are the
best for the process.
But let's say you decide to
invest in a DTG printer that

A handheld power
sprayer is a good
alternative to using
an automatic pretreatment machine.

P.70

I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M JANUARY 2016

achieved pristine results on
the trade show floor, but not at
your shop. Rest easy; your vendor didn't trick you with smoke
and mirrors.
However, there are a few things
you need to know to achieve that
same high-quality image away from
the trade show.
The Right Shirt
The ideal garment for the DTG
process is one made of 100% ringspun cotton. The water-based inks
used in all DTG machines are specifically formulated to bond with
cotton fabric. More tightly woven
T-shirts and other garments will
accept ink better than those with
a loose weave.
Some garment brands will print
better than others, so remember
to conduct tests on different
brands or styles before you begin
production. Inform your garment
suppliers that DTG printing will
be your decoration method and ask
for their recommendations.
Variations among garments also
can impact your ability to do
contract work. While common in
screen printing, the contract option is not as easily accomplished
unless you, the printer, specify
the garment brands you will allow
and your customer is willing to
buy the right garments.
You also can print blended


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Impressions - January 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - January 2016

Impressions - January 2016
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Scene at ISS
On Design
Impressions Awards Winners
Tees Still Trending
Sworn to Perform
Use Tech to Build Trust
Shop Talk
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Screen Printing Production
Sublimation
Direct-To-Garment
Heat-Printing
Classifieds
Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - January 2016 - CT1
Impressions - January 2016 - CT2
Impressions - January 2016 - Impressions - January 2016
Impressions - January 2016 - Cover2
Impressions - January 2016 - 1
Impressions - January 2016 - Contents
Impressions - January 2016 - 3
Impressions - January 2016 - 4
Impressions - January 2016 - 5
Impressions - January 2016 - First Impressions
Impressions - January 2016 - 7
Impressions - January 2016 - From the Show Director
Impressions - January 2016 - 9
Impressions - January 2016 - Overheard
Impressions - January 2016 - 11
Impressions - January 2016 - 12
Impressions - January 2016 - 13
Impressions - January 2016 - 14
Impressions - January 2016 - 15
Impressions - January 2016 - First Look
Impressions - January 2016 - 17
Impressions - January 2016 - 18
Impressions - January 2016 - 19
Impressions - January 2016 - 19a
Impressions - January 2016 - 19b
Impressions - January 2016 - Scene at ISS
Impressions - January 2016 - 21
Impressions - January 2016 - On Design
Impressions - January 2016 - 23
Impressions - January 2016 - Impressions Awards Winners
Impressions - January 2016 - 25
Impressions - January 2016 - 26
Impressions - January 2016 - 27
Impressions - January 2016 - 28
Impressions - January 2016 - 29
Impressions - January 2016 - 30
Impressions - January 2016 - 31
Impressions - January 2016 - 32
Impressions - January 2016 - 33
Impressions - January 2016 - 34
Impressions - January 2016 - 35
Impressions - January 2016 - Tees Still Trending
Impressions - January 2016 - 37
Impressions - January 2016 - 38
Impressions - January 2016 - 39
Impressions - January 2016 - 40
Impressions - January 2016 - 41
Impressions - January 2016 - 42
Impressions - January 2016 - 43
Impressions - January 2016 - Sworn to Perform
Impressions - January 2016 - 45
Impressions - January 2016 - 46
Impressions - January 2016 - 47
Impressions - January 2016 - Use Tech to Build Trust
Impressions - January 2016 - 49
Impressions - January 2016 - 50
Impressions - January 2016 - 51
Impressions - January 2016 - 52
Impressions - January 2016 - 53
Impressions - January 2016 - Shop Talk
Impressions - January 2016 - 55
Impressions - January 2016 - Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Impressions - January 2016 - 57
Impressions - January 2016 - 58
Impressions - January 2016 - 59
Impressions - January 2016 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - January 2016 - 61
Impressions - January 2016 - 62
Impressions - January 2016 - 63
Impressions - January 2016 - 64
Impressions - January 2016 - 65
Impressions - January 2016 - Sublimation
Impressions - January 2016 - 67
Impressions - January 2016 - 68
Impressions - January 2016 - 69
Impressions - January 2016 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - January 2016 - 71
Impressions - January 2016 - 72
Impressions - January 2016 - 73
Impressions - January 2016 - 74
Impressions - January 2016 - 75
Impressions - January 2016 - Heat-Printing
Impressions - January 2016 - 77
Impressions - January 2016 - 78
Impressions - January 2016 - 79
Impressions - January 2016 - Classifieds
Impressions - January 2016 - Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - January 2016 - 82
Impressions - January 2016 - Cover3
Impressions - January 2016 - Cover4
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS1
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS2
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS3
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS4
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS5
Impressions - January 2016 - ISS6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
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