We print our graphic tees to order using DTG printing in our Sydney studio. The blank garment is made separately before it reaches us; we add the artwork, finish the print, pack it and send it out. Here is what those steps involve, and why the method suits our range.
We get questions about this a fair bit. How does print on demand actually work? Is the quality as good as screen printing? Why does my order sometimes take a few extra days? What even is DTG printing?
This post follows a tee from the blank garment to the finished print. It covers the benefits, the limits and the extra production time, so you can decide whether it suits what you are buying.
It starts with the blank
Before any printing happens, the garment matters. We use AS Colour blanks across most of our range. They are manufactured overseas: the supplier's production FAQ identifies Bangladesh for core T-shirting and China for more detailed styles. Check the individual garment label or its factory information for the actual origin. Printing in Sydney is a separate stage from manufacturing the blank.
Fabric weight, fibre and fit affect both how a tee wears and how the artwork sits on it. Our options vary by garment style, so use the product's fabric details and measurements rather than assuming every tee uses the same blank. A regular fit, Maple fit and oversized fit can be quite different.
Our ethics page explains our sourcing and studio practices. Use it alongside the supplier's information if production is part of your buying decision.
What DTG printing actually is
DTG stands for direct to garment. A specialised inkjet printer applies the artwork directly to a prepared garment. It can reproduce fine detail and many colours from a digital file, which is useful for illustrated tees and printing small quantities. The finished feel depends on the fabric, ink coverage and any white layer beneath the colours.
The process for each shirt goes roughly like this:
1. Prepare the garment. The fabric is smoothed and pre-treatment is applied where the ink system and garment require it, especially for white ink. Even application and drying matter for print quality. The preparation needed depends on the fabric and printing setup.
2. Add a white underbase when needed. A white ink layer helps the design colours show against dark fabric. Whether it is needed on a lighter garment depends on the artwork, garment and ink setup; it is not a universal light-versus-dark rule.
3. Print the artwork. The DTG printer lays down the design from the digital file. File resolution, placement and colour settings affect how the illustration comes out.
4. Cure the ink. Heat fixes the print using conditions suited to the ink and garment. Correct curing matters for wash performance; the settings need to suit the equipment and fabric.
5. Quality check. Every order is checked by hand before it gets packed. If the print is not right, it does not go out.
Epson's DTG user guide describes garment preparation and ink fixing as separate stages. For our graphic tee range, printing from an artwork file lets us offer detailed designs without setting up screens for each design and colour.
Why we print to order instead of making stock upfront
Printing a design in advance means choosing how many of each size and colour to make before the orders arrive. Printing after orders lets us use blank stock across different designs instead of committing it all to one finished print.
We print our tees when you order. If a design attracts only a few orders, we can still offer it without a large finished batch waiting to sell. The blank garment already exists, and printing still uses materials and energy, so this is about reducing speculative printing rather than claiming there is no waste.
Allow up to seven business days before dispatch for standard orders; custom products are generally closer to two weeks. Postage starts after production, and the whole order ships once all its items are ready. Our shipping information has the current estimates.
The practical benefit is flexibility: we can keep a wide range of designs available and print the one you choose in the fit and size listed on its product page.
DTG vs screen printing vs heat transfer: how they compare
People often ask whether DTG is as good as screen printing. The honest answer is that it depends what you are comparing. They are different methods with different strengths.
| Method | Useful for | Things to consider | Small orders |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTG printing | Detailed illustrations, many colours and printing from digital artwork | Fabric, pre-treatment, white ink and curing affect the result | Can print one garment at a time |
| Screen printing | Repeated designs and larger runs where screen setup can be spread across the order | Each design and colour setup takes work; detail and colour options depend on the process | Minimums vary by printer and job |
| Heat transfer | Applying a prepared print, film or other transfer to a garment | Feel and durability vary with the transfer system, materials and application | Often suitable for small quantities |
DTG suits our graphic tees because we can print an illustration when it is ordered. No method wins every comparison: choose for the artwork, garment, quantity and finish, and follow the care guidance for the actual product.
How printing after orders affects waste
Printing after orders helps us avoid speculative runs of finished designs, but it does not remove the impact of manufacturing blanks, ink, energy or packaging. Our ethics information sets out the supplier and studio practices we currently publish, including how we approach sourcing and packaging.
The useful questions are specific: where was the blank manufactured, who prints it, and what information can the brand show you? An “independent” or “print to order” label alone does not answer all of them.
For more on why we chose this model, read the case for printing one shirt at a time and our slow fashion approach.
Caring for a DTG printed tee
How a print wears depends on the garment, ink, preparation, curing and how it is washed. Follow the garment label and keep washing and drying gentle. We cannot promise identical durability across different printing methods or a fixed lifespan for every tee.
Wash cold on a gentle cycle, turn the garment inside out and avoid high-heat tumble drying. Air dry where practical, and do not iron directly on the print. Follow the garment's care label.
Regular gentle care helps protect both the fabric and the artwork. It also gives you a better chance of keeping a favourite tee in rotation.
A few things worth knowing about our range
Our tees, hoodies and jumpers are printed and packed in Sydney. Available sizes depend on the design and garment; use the sizing and fit guide and the product's size selector. Nothing in the range is categorised by gender. If you want a roomier fit, compare the measurements in our oversized tees range.
The artwork is part of the choice too. Warwick Levy drew the handwritten lettering for the Bread Tee; Kayla Reay created the coloured-pencil magpie on the Clive the Cyclist Tee. Browse our artist collaborations for other styles, or start with the funny T-shirts if the joke is what you are after.
Commonly asked questions
What is DTG printing?
DTG means direct to garment. A specialised inkjet printer applies the artwork directly to a prepared garment. It can reproduce detailed, colourful artwork and print one garment at a time, which suits our print-to-order tees.
Does DTG printing last as long as screen printing?
There is no blanket durability guarantee across the two methods. Fabric, ink, preparation, curing and care all affect how a print wears. Follow the care label, wash gently inside out and avoid high heat.
Why does print to order sometimes take longer?
We print after you order. Allow up to seven business days before dispatch for standard orders; custom products are generally closer to two weeks. Australian standard postage generally takes 2–7 business days after production, or 1–3 for express. Express postage does not skip production. Check our shipping information for current estimates.
Do you do custom DTG printing?
Yes. Browse our custom products for the available options, or see bulk orders for a larger job. Check the artwork requirements and turnaround for the particular product before ordering.
What sizes do you stock?
Sizes vary by design and garment style. Check the product's size selector and our sizing and fit guide, then compare the measurements with a tee you already like. Regular and oversized fits can measure differently.
How do you care for a DTG printed t-shirt?
Follow the garment label. Wash cold on a gentle cycle, turn it inside out, air dry where practical and avoid high-heat tumble drying. Do not iron directly on the print.
Browse the range
Choose the artwork and fit you want, then check the product details before ordering.
Independent Australian brand. Graphic tees printed to order in Sydney since 2011.
Shop the full rangeChoosing how to wear the finished tee? My graphic tee styling guide has five everyday outfit ideas, real LKC photos and advice on choosing the cut.
