Does DTG printing crack? What we've learned printing every tee to order

A good DTG print shouldn't crack in normal wear. When one does, it's almost always one of three things: too much white ink under the colors on a dark shirt, a print that wasn't cured properly, or heat at home from a hot dryer or an iron pressed right on the design. Get those right and a DTG print on a heavy cotton tee fades slowly over the years instead of splitting.

Every ZOJO tee is printed with DTG in the USA after you order, so this is the part of the process we think about most. Here is what's going on and what you can do about it.

What DTG printing is

DTG stands for direct-to-garment. A printer sprays water-based ink straight onto the shirt, a lot like an inkjet does on paper. The ink soaks into the cotton fibers instead of sitting on top as a thick layer. That's why a DTG print feels soft and can carry gradients, thin lines and a dozen colors in one design.

On white or Natural tees the colors go straight onto the fabric. On Black, Navy or Forest green, the printer first lays down a layer of white ink, called the underbase, so the colors on top don't sink into the dark cotton and look dull. That white layer is where most cracking starts.

Why some DTG prints crack

• Too much white ink. A heavy underbase sits on the surface more like paint. When the fabric stretches, the stiff layer can't stretch with it, and it splits into fine lines.
• Poor curing. After printing, the ink is heat-pressed so it bonds with the fibers. If that step is rushed or too cool, the ink stays weak and starts flaking within a few washes.
• Heat at home. A hot dryer, or an iron pressed directly on the design, softens the ink again, and it can crack as it cools.
• Thin fabric. Light cotton moves and stretches more, so the print has to flex more. Heavier cotton holds still.

Does DTG last on a heavyweight oversized tee?

This is where fabric weight helps. Our oversized tees are 6 oz combed and ring-spun cotton, so the cloth is thick and doesn't pull much when you put the shirt on. We wrote more about what that number means in is a 6 oz t-shirt heavy?

Big prints matter here too. A design like the melting hourglass on Time Is Soft or the tiger on Third Eye Tiger covers most of the chest and carries a lot more ink than a small logo. A stable fabric keeps that big patch of ink from bending every time you move.

Our regular tees are 4.2 oz. They're lighter and better in a hot summer, and they need a bit more care with heat.

What you'll usually see after a lot of washes is fading, not cracking. The colors soften a little, like an old concert tee you've had for years. Cracking in the first month means something went wrong in printing, and that's worth reporting to whoever sold you the shirt.

How to keep a DTG print from cracking

1. Wash it inside out, in cold water.
2. Use a regular mild detergent. Skip bleach.
3. Dry it on low heat, or hang it.
4. Never iron straight on the print. Turn the tee inside out first.
5. Don't wring or twist the printed part hard when it's wet.

Our product pages give the short version: wash inside-out in cold water, dry on low heat, flip it inside out before ironing. That's all most people need.

DTG or screen printing?

Screen printing uses a separate screen for every color, so it suits a simple design printed hundreds of times. DTG has no setup per color, which makes it the better fit for detailed art and small runs, even a single shirt. That's why print-on-demand shops like us use it: we print your tee after you order instead of keeping a warehouse full of stock.

If you like the big, busy prints in this post, the rest are in trippy shirts and oversized graphic tees.

Does DTG printing crack after washing?

Not usually. A well-printed DTG design on heavy cotton fades a little over time rather than cracking. Cracking tends to come from a thick white underbase, weak curing, a hot dryer or an iron on the print.

Is DTG printing good quality?

Yes, for detailed, full-color art. The print feels soft because the ink soaks into the cotton. A heavier tee, like our 6 oz oversized one, holds the ink better than a thin one.

Why do prints on black shirts crack more?

Dark shirts need a white ink layer under the colors. If that layer is too thick or not cured well, it goes stiff and splits when the fabric stretches.

Can I iron a DTG printed shirt?

Yes, but turn it inside out first and never put the iron right on the print.

What if my print cracks early?

Send the seller photos. With us you have 7 days after delivery to return any tee for a full refund, for any reason. The steps are on our return page.