WHAT IS DIGITAL PRINTING?
How We Print Your Spirit Wear: The DTG Difference
At District 63 Apparel, every t-shirt, hoodie, and sweatshirt you order is printed using a process called Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing — one of the most advanced methods in custom apparel today. DTG printing gives us the ability to create vibrant, detailed designs with incredible accuracy, perfect for showing off your school pride in style.
What Is DTG Printing?
Direct-to-Garment printing is a digital printing process that allows us to print full-color artwork directly onto your garment — no screens, no transfers, and no minimum order required. Using high-precision inkjet technology, our printers spray eco-friendly, water-based inks directly onto the fabric, where the ink bonds with the fibers.
Think of it like printing a photo — but instead of paper, we’re printing your design on a soft, high-quality cotton t-shirt or hoodie.
Why We Use DTG Printing
We’ve chosen DTG because it’s the best printing method for custom spirit wear — especially for short runs, personalized designs, or small group orders. Here’s why:
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High-Quality Prints: DTG delivers sharp detail, smooth gradients, and vibrant colors, even on complex designs or photo-style graphics.
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No Minimum Orders: Because there’s no setup or cleanup time like screen printing, we can print a single shirt or a dozen without extra cost.
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Fast Turnaround: Once your design is ready, we can print your order immediately — helping us maintain our typical 7–14-day delivery time.
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Soft, Comfortable Feel: The water-based inks absorb into the fibers, leaving the fabric soft to the touch — not stiff or plastic-like.
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Eco-Friendly: DTG uses less water, less waste, and fewer chemicals than traditional screen printing, making it a cleaner process for the planet.
How It Works
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Design Preparation: Your school’s logo or custom artwork is digitally prepared for printing.
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Pre-Treatment: Each garment is pre-treated to ensure the ink bonds perfectly with the fabric.
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Printing: The printer applies the ink directly onto the garment. Light shirts get one pass; dark shirts get an additional white under-base for vibrant color.
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Curing: The printed garment is heat-pressed to cure the ink, locking in color and durability.
The result? A soft, detailed, long-lasting print that holds up wash after wash.
Built to Last
Early DTG technology had issues with fading and durability — but those days are long gone. Modern printers and inks now deliver industry-leading wash performance, meeting or exceeding standards set by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). That means your school shirt will look great long after the final bell rings.
The Future of Custom Apparel
DTG printing has grown rapidly in recent years and is now a leading choice for online, on-demand apparel production. It gives us the flexibility to offer hundreds of unique designs for each high school we serve — without needing to keep large inventories or limit color options.
Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, alumni, or staff member, DTG printing lets us deliver your favorite school gear, one shirt at a time, with full-color quality, comfort, and pride.