Image Armor has introduced PMC1 Universal Formula, a new direct-to-garment (DTG) pretreatment engineered to simplify production by allowing decorators to use a single pretreatment across white, light and dark garments while incorporating built-in UV resistance. Photo courtesy of Image Armor
Image Armor has introduced PMC1 Universal Formula, a new direct-to-garment (DTG) pretreatment engineered to simplify production by allowing decorators to use a single pretreatment across white, light and dark garments while incorporating built-in UV resistance.
According to the company, PMC1 eliminates one of the most common workflow challenges facing DTG print shops—switching between pretreatment formulas for different garment colors. By using a single solution throughout production, decorators can reduce setup time, minimize waste and improve shop efficiency.
Key Features
- One universal pretreatment for white, light and dark garments.
- Built-in UV resistance helps prevent pretreatment yellowing before garments are washed.
- Low application rate of approximately 15 grams per garment helps reduce material costs.
- High-opacity white ink performance designed to deliver vibrant prints across a variety of garment colors.
- Consistent wash durability for long-lasting adhesion and color retention.
- No mid-production formula changes, simplifying workflow and increasing productivity.
“For years, DTG print shops have faced the challenge of switching pretreatments depending on garment color,” said Brian Walker, founder of Image Armor.
“PMC1 is an industry game changer that will simplify the DTG printing process. Now shops can run white shirts, pink shirts, black shirts—anything—without ever changing their pretreatment. It’s the one formula we’ve been working toward.”
Traditionally, pretreatments formulated for dark garments often perform differently on white apparel, while products designed for lighter garments may struggle to provide optimal white ink opacity on darker fabrics. In addition, conventional DTG pretreatments can yellow when exposed to direct sunlight before the garment is washed, potentially creating unusable inventory.
Image Armor says PMC1’s proprietary UV-resistant chemistry addresses both challenges by maintaining pretreatment stability and appearance prior to washing while delivering consistent printing performance across virtually any garment color.
The company also notes that the formula has been optimized for strong white ink vibrancy, reduced material usage and long-term wash durability, making it suitable for production environments seeking greater efficiency without sacrificing print quality.
PMC1 Universal Formula is available now through Image Armor’s authorized distributor network, directly from the company and through Amazon.
Why It Matters for Decorators
For DTG shops producing a variety of garment colors each day, a universal pretreatment can:
- Reduce downtime between production runs.
- Simplify inventory management by stocking a single pretreatment.
- Lower operating costs through reduced chemical usage.
- Minimize operator error when switching garment colors.
- Improve workflow efficiency for short-run and on-demand printing.
