Impressions - May 2021 - 45
think.
DIRECT-TO-GARMENT
make.
Like this article? Read more direct-to-garment printing
articles at impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating.
do.
DTG Printing on Caps
Screen printing and embroidery are options, but direct-to-garment
printing offers several advantages for decorating caps.
BY ELLIOT EVANS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
While the two most popular
places for decorating caps are
the front panels and the top
of the bill, it's also possible
using a DTG to print on
the underside of the bill.All
photos courtesy of Brother
DTG.
Using a digital direct-to-garment (DTG) printer to decorate on
headwear allows you to offer more options to your customers
and increase your business.While embroidered caps indeed look
great and often are preferred, budgets don't always allow for
digitizing costs. Embroidery also is limited by the thread colors
available and is not ideal for detailed or photographic artwork.
Screen printing on caps can be tricky without the right
equipment, and there's the added cost of creating a separate
screen for every color. Unless a high-enough quantity is needed,
screen printing often is not an option for budget-conscious
customers.
DTG printing offers several advantages for fulfilling shortrun orders and adding personalization.While the per-cap cost
of decorating with digital DTG printing is higher, customers
can get a few caps done and pay only for the number they really
wanted - often at a total price that's less than the other two
decorating techniques.
It's also easy to put a different person's name or location on
every cap - a service that usually isn't feasible with screen
printing or embroidery. Caps can be printed digitally with no
color restrictions and with greater detail.
Choosing a Cap
Caps come in two styles: structured and unstructured. The
former has a piece of stiff buckram behind the two front panels
to hold its shape, which creates a billboard area for decorating
the cap.With the appropriate cap platen, it can be adjusted to
create a flat-enough surface for printing.
With an unstructured cap, all six panels are the same. This
style is easy to flatten and affix to a cap platen.
In terms of fabrics, digital DTG printing works best on cotton
and other natural fibers. Polyester caps can be printed as well,
but plan on a longer production time.Also, be aware that some
caps may have a waterproof or stain-resistant coating, and this
prevents the water-based DTG ink from bonding to the cap.
MAY 2021
45-46_IMP_0521_TMD_DTG.indd 45
P.45
4/15/21 2:43 PM
http://www.impressionsmag.com/digitaldecorating
Impressions - May 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - May 2021
Cover 1
Table of Contents
Masthead
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Expo Scene
Decorator Innovation via E-Commerce
Innovation Q&A with Michelle Moxley
Intro to Spotlight Innovation
Niche Focus: Education Institutions
Sustainability Report
Shop Talk
TMD Embroidery Production
TMD Screen Printing Graphics & Design
TMD DTG
Classified/Ad Index
On Design
Impressions - May 2021 - CT1
Impressions - May 2021 - CT2
Impressions - May 2021 - Cover1
Impressions - May 2021 - Cover2
Impressions - May 2021 - Cover 1
Impressions - May 2021 - Table of Contents
Impressions - May 2021 - 3
Impressions - May 2021 - Masthead
Impressions - May 2021 - 5
Impressions - May 2021 - First Impressions
Impressions - May 2021 - From the Show Director
Impressions - May 2021 - Overheard
Impressions - May 2021 - 9
Impressions - May 2021 - 10
Impressions - May 2021 - First Look
Impressions - May 2021 - Expo Scene
Impressions - May 2021 - 13
Impressions - May 2021 - Decorator Innovation via E-Commerce
Impressions - May 2021 - 15
Impressions - May 2021 - 16
Impressions - May 2021 - 17
Impressions - May 2021 - 18
Impressions - May 2021 - Innovation Q&A with Michelle Moxley
Impressions - May 2021 - 20
Impressions - May 2021 - 21
Impressions - May 2021 - 22
Impressions - May 2021 - Intro to Spotlight Innovation
Impressions - May 2021 - 24
Impressions - May 2021 - 25
Impressions - May 2021 - 26
Impressions - May 2021 - 27
Impressions - May 2021 - Niche Focus: Education Institutions
Impressions - May 2021 - 29
Impressions - May 2021 - 30
Impressions - May 2021 - 31
Impressions - May 2021 - Sustainability Report
Impressions - May 2021 - 33
Impressions - May 2021 - 34
Impressions - May 2021 - 35
Impressions - May 2021 - Shop Talk
Impressions - May 2021 - 37
Impressions - May 2021 - TMD Embroidery Production
Impressions - May 2021 - 39
Impressions - May 2021 - 40
Impressions - May 2021 - TMD Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - May 2021 - 42
Impressions - May 2021 - 43
Impressions - May 2021 - 44
Impressions - May 2021 - TMD DTG
Impressions - May 2021 - 46
Impressions - May 2021 - Classified/Ad Index
Impressions - May 2021 - On Design
Impressions - May 2021 - Cover3
Impressions - May 2021 - Cover4
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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
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
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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
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
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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
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
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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
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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
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