DTG and DTF Printing in Chattanooga, TN
One shirt is fine. DTG and DTF printing have no minimum order, and for one or two shirts a safe bet is about $25 each for a one-sided print, about $30 for two sides. Send your artwork and you approve a free digital proof before any ink touches a shirt.
What DTG printing does best
DTG, direct-to-garment, works like a photo-quality inkjet printer for fabric. It prints unlimited colors, gradients and fine detail straight into the shirt, so photos and complex artwork come out sharp. The water-based inks soak into the fibers and soften after a few washes, leaving almost no texture you can feel. DTG does its best work on garments with high cotton content, and we will tell you up front if your garment choice will fight the ink.
What DTF printing adds
DTF, direct-to-film, prints your design onto a film that we heat-press onto the garment. It covers the fabrics DTG cannot: polyester, blends and performance wear. The print stretches without cracking and holds its color through repeated washing. We added DTF in 2025, and it has become the go-to for hoodies, specialty apparel and mixed-fabric orders.
Which one should you pick?
You do not have to. Tell us what the design is and what it is going on, and the Chattanooga Tshirt team will recommend the better method for your artwork and garment. Cotton tees with photographic art lean DTG. Polyester, blends and anything that stretches lean DTF.
Printing 24 shirts or more with a few ink colors? Screen printing will beat both on price. Want stitching instead of ink? See custom embroidery. Every method side by side: printing services and pricing.
Questions we get about DTG and DTF
Is there a minimum order?
No. One shirt is fine. That is the point of these methods.
How long does an order take?
Most orders ship in 10 to 15 business days. Rush work, ask. Local pickup and delivery in Chattanooga, shipping nationwide.
Will I see the design before you print?
Yes. You approve a free digital proof first. Nothing prints until you say go.
What is the difference between DTG and DTF?
DTG prints water-based ink straight into the fabric, so the print feels soft and works best on 100% cotton. DTF prints the design onto a film that is heat-pressed onto the garment, which sticks to polyester, blends, caps and bags and gives brighter colour on dark fabric. We pick the method that suits your garment and artwork, and the proof shows which one.
Can you print photos and full-colour artwork?
Yes. Both methods print millions of colours in one pass, so a photo, a gradient or a detailed illustration costs the same as a one-colour logo. Send the largest, cleanest file you have; 300 dpi at the printed size is ideal, and a PNG with a transparent background saves a step.
How well does it wash?
DTG ink is cured into the fibres and softens with washing like the shirt itself. DTF sits on the surface, stretches with the fabric and holds its colour wash after wash. For either, turn the garment inside out, wash cold and skip the hottest dryer setting.
When should I switch to screen printing?
At 24 or more of the same design, especially with one to three ink colours. Screen printing costs less per shirt at that volume and gives the most durable print we make. Under 24 pieces, or for photo artwork, DTG and DTF stay the better value.
How do I order, and can I pick up in Chattanooga?
Every order is placed online, by email or over the phone, and the easiest start is the free quote form. There is no in-store ordering and no walk-in counter. Local pickup is available on request, by appointment only, and we also deliver around Chattanooga and ship nationwide. You approve a free digital proof before anything is made.