DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing has opened the door for small businesses, print-on-demand brands, and creators to produce high-detail, full-color apparel without screens or lengthy setup times. But as simple as “print and press” sounds, DTG is a science involving fabric behavior, fluid dynamics, machine calibration, and polymer curing.
Many beginners struggle during the first few weeks: prints appear faded, white ink starves or clogs, edges blur, or designs crack after a single wash. Most of these beginner issues stem directly from three root causes:inadequate fabric pretreatment,skipped daily printhead cleaning, and incorrect heat-press curing parameters.
1. Skipping Pretreatment or Applying It Incorrectly
Pretreatment is one of the biggest learning curves in DTG. It helps prevent ink absorption and keeps white ink sitting on top of the fabric rather than sinking into it. Without proper pretreatment, prints will look soft, washed-out, or blurry.
Common beginner mistakes:
Does DTG printing crack?
Spraying too little or too much pretreatment
Applying unevenly, leaving streaks and blotches
Printing before the pretreatment is fully dry
How to Avoid It
Use a calibrated sprayer or pretreatment machine for even application
Heat press for 15–25 seconds until the surface is dry and flat
Test shirt to fabric ratio—different materials absorb differently
A well-treated fabric will show a strong white base and sharper edges.
2. Not Flattening or Preparing the Fabric Surface
What are common issues users report with different dtg print systems? Raw fabric contains lint and tiny fibers that interfere with ink spray patterns. Even high-end DTG printers suffer if printing onto loose fibers or wrinkles.
Why Does DTG Printing Crack?
How to Avoid It
Heat-press the garment before printing
Use a lint roller on cotton garments
Store shirts in a closed container to prevent dust buildup
Proper surface prep takes just seconds but transforms print consistency. If you want to master spraying weights, roller techniques, and heat-press curing curves, follow our complete DTG printing preprocessing step-by-step guide to prepare your garments like a pro.
3. Using Low-Quality or Incompatible Ink
DTG printing issues on cotton-polyester blends: fading and washing. Ink quality determines not only color vibrancy but also wash resistance and print texture. Some low-cost inks contain unstable particles that clog nozzles or produce weak color output.
Better Choice：How to Stop DTG Prints from Fading After Washing？
Select professional consumables that have been validated through extensive practical use:
Strong pigment concentration
Smooth ink flow with reduced clogging
Rich CMYK output and stable white ink opacity
Better wash durability
If you choose to use compatible inks, it is advisable to select a high-quality DTG (direct-to-garment) ink with a well-engineered, scientific formulation—it is well worth the investment. Such high-quality alternatives can reduce your consumable costs by 40% to 60%, while offering color vibrancy and stretch resistance that rival those of original manufacturer products.
4. Incorrect or Ignored RIP Software Settings
RIP (Raster Image Processing) controls how ink is layered. Beginners often rely on default settings instead of tuning color density, saturation, or underbase thickness.
The result? Colors that do not match the digital file.
How to Avoid It
Increase the white underbase for dark garments
Adjust color saturation based on garment color
Calibrate screens using ICC color profiles
Think of RIP settings as the “brain” of the print—fine-tuning them transforms the final result.
5. Improper Curing Temperature or Time
Even a perfect print can fail after washing if not cured correctly. Under-curing leads to fading or cracking, while over-curing can flatten inks or scorch garments.
Fix It With:
A consistent heat press or tunnel dryer
Correct curing time based on ink type
Wash testing before production runs
Most DTG inks, including Winnerjet, cure around 150–165°C (300–330°F) for 45–90 seconds, but always test and verify.
Bonus Mistake: Not Performing Regular Maintenance
DTG printers, especially those running white ink, require daily care. Many beginners skip cleaning and later face blocked nozzles or inconsistent spray patterns.
Maintenance habits that prevent damage:
Run daily head cleaning cycles
Shake white ink bottles before printing
Keep the capping station and wiper clean
A few minutes a day saves hundreds in repairs.
For more DTG printing maintenance guides, please download our printable “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Guide for DTG Printers and Printheads,” which can be used for tracking and documenting daily maintenance tasks.
Final Thoughts
DTG printing takes practice, but once you master the process, the results are stunning. The key is working with quality materials, fine-tuning settings, and never skipping preparation steps.
Whether you’re just beginning or scaling production, using high-performance supplies makes the process smoother. Winnerjet offers DTG ink, pretreatment, and printing consumables engineered to deliver brighter colors, consistent performance, and dependable wash durability — so you can print with confidence.
Better prints start with better materials — and better knowledge.
📖 Read more: DTF printer for beginners 、A Beginner’s Guide to DTG Printing、Distinguishing DTG Printing
FAQ
Why do my DTG prints crack after washing?
DTG prints crack primarily due to under-curing, excessive white underbase thickness, or printing over unflattened fabric fibers. If the ink resin doesn’t fully cross-link at optimal heat press settings, the ink layer tears when the garment stretches during washing. Follow our DTG ink curing temperature and time guide to calibrate exact heat and dwell parameters.
Can you print DTG on 50% cotton-polyester blends without fading?
How often should I clean the DTG printhead and capping station?
Clean the capping station rim and wiper blade daily using lint-free swabs and cleaning solution to prevent white ink crusting. Flush the drain tubes weekly and wipe the linear encoder strip monthly to ensure optimal reliability. Download our complete DTG printer and printhead maintenance SOP checklist (.docx) for standard daily maintenance procedures.
How do I know if my pretreatment amount is correct?
If the white base prints solid and sharp without soaking in, the pretreatment level is correct.
Does ink brand really affect print quality?
Absolutely. Ink chemistry impacts vibrancy, flow, and durability. High-quality ink like Winnerjet produces richer colors and reduces maintenance.
