When it comes to DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing, fabric type plays a big role in how your final design looks. If you’re aiming for a bold, solid print with maximum opacity, 100% cotton garments are your best option. Cotton’s tight weave helps the ink sit on top of the fabric, giving you a vibrant and crisp result.
100% cotton: Best for vibrant prints
Shirts like the Bella + Canvas 3001 are made from 100% cotton and usually provide the best outcome for DTG prints. Just keep in mind - if the cotton fabric is too thick (like with the Men’s Premium Heavyweight Tee | Cotton Heritage MC1086), it might soak up more ink and give the print a slightly faded appearance.
Blends and tri-blends: Great for a vintage vibe
We also print on poly blends and tri-blends. These fabrics have a looser weave and mixed fibers, which gives the print a softer, more washed-out look - think vintage or worn-in. This effect is expected and can look great depending on the style you’re going for. But if you prefer a more opaque design, 100% cotton is the way to go.
Examples of blended garments:
Gildan 18500 Unisex Sweatshirt (poly blend)
Bella + Canvas 3413 (triblend)
To dive deeper into fabric types and how they affect print results, check out our DTG file guidelines.