Lawson Screen & Digital Products Inc., St. Louis, now offers an instructional video on how to apply the perfect amount of pretreatment solution for direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
The key to any successful DTG print is applying the right amount of pretreatment to the T-shirt or garment. Not using enough pretreatment causes the print to look washed out, while using too much decreases wash fastness.
Generally, spray 1.4-1.6 grams of pretreatment per linear inch (based on a width of 16 inches) on a dark T-shirt. For a standard DTG print that is 16” x 20”, the proper amount of pretreatment is about 28-32 grams.
The amount of pretreatment can vary depending on several factors, including shirt brand and garment weight. For example, a thick hoodie will require more than a lightweight T-shirt.
Setting your sprayer for the proper amount of pretreatment is easy, according to the company. Just follow the tips offered in the video, shown above. — J.L.
