7 Criteria for Choosing Inks for Right Direct-to-Garment Printers (2025 Standard)

Overview

Choosing inks for a direct-to-garment (DTG) printer is not just about selecting colors; it’s a critical factor that determines print quality, printhead lifespan, and production efficiency. This article will guide you on how to choose the most suitable and precise ink.

1. Why is it Necessary to Choose the Right Ink for DTG Printers?

Incompatible ink increases the rate of printing errors, shortens the printhead’s lifespan, and clogs the system. According to a FESPA 2024 survey, 68% of fabric printer errors are due to using the wrong type of ink. Therefore, choosing the right ink for a DTG printer is a matter of survival.

2. Common Ink Types for DTG Printers

• Reactive Ink:
  • Suitable for cellulose-based fabrics like cotton, viscose, and linen.
  • Pros: Vibrant colors, high wash fastness, and excellent fade resistance.
• Disperse Ink:
  • Used for polyester, lycra, and heat-resistant synthetic fabrics.
  • Pros: Deep penetration, vivid colors, and lightfastness.
• Pigment Ink:
  • Can be used on both cotton and polyester, suitable for versatile fabric printing.
  • Pros: No pre/post-treatment required, saves water, and is environmentally friendly.
• Acid Ink:
  • Specialized for silk, wool, nylon, and natural leather.
  • Pros: Extremely bright and soft colors, ideal for high-end fashion.
• UV-curable Ink:
  • Applied for printing on synthetic fabrics and interior decoration materials.
  • Pros: Cures instantly with UV light, high surface durability, and scratch resistance.

3. 7 Criteria for Choosing Inks for DTG Printers

3.1. Choose Ink Based on Fabric Type

Determine whether the fabric is cotton, polyester, viscose, or silk to choose the corresponding ink. For example, to print on cotton, you must choose Reactive or Pigment ink; you cannot use Disperse ink.

3.2. Choosing Inks Based on Colorfastness Requirements

If the product needs high wash and lightfastness, prioritize Reactive or Disperse ink. For products requiring a durable, abrasion-resistant printed surface, consider UV-curable ink.

3.3. Consider Environmental Requirements and Green Standards

Prioritize inks with ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, and ZDHC certifications to meet the trend of sustainable production. Pigment ink and Bio-Ink are increasingly being used by major brands like H&M and Patagonia.

3.4. Ensure Ink is Compatible with the Printhead and Machine System

Machines using Kyocera, Epson, or Fuji Dimatix printheads have different requirements for ink viscosity, pressure, and temperature. Using the wrong ink can reduce the printhead’s lifespan by up to 50%, causing serious damage.

3.5. Prioritize Genuine Ink from a Reputable Supplier

According to an ITMA 2023 report, using genuine ink reduces maintenance costs by 32% and increases color stability by 27%. VieTextile recommends that customers only use genuine ink to ensure optimal printing performance.

3.6. Check Post-Printing Treatment Features

Some inks require heat setting, steaming, or chemical treatment. If you want a simple and cost-effective production process, you should choose Pigment ink because it does not require complex processing.

3.7. Calculate the Total Cost When Choosing Ink

Cheap ink with a high error rate and material loss will increase the total cost many times over. You should choose an ink with a reasonable price and high performance that suits your business’s long-term needs.

4. Comparison of Pros and Cons of DTG Inks

A comparison of ink types helps businesses choose the most suitable one for their actual production needs.

• Reactive Ink:
  • Pros: Excellent color adhesion to cotton and viscose fibers. Highest wash and lightfastness among all ink types.
  • Cons: Requires chemical pre-treatment and steaming after printing, incurring additional operating costs. Not suitable for polyester or nylon fabrics.
• Disperse Ink:
  • Pros: Prints beautifully on polyester, yielding vivid colors and good lightfastness. Production costs are lower than Reactive Ink for large-scale production.
  • Cons: Cannot be used for cotton, silk, or other natural fibers. Requires high temperatures to fix the color.
• Pigment Ink:
  • Pros: Can be printed on a wide range of fabrics, requires no heat or chemical treatment. Environmentally friendly, saves water and energy.
  • Cons: Lower wash fastness than Reactive Ink if not properly heat-pressed. Colors are not as vibrant as dye inks.
• Acid Ink:
  • Pros: Most vibrant colors on silk and natural wool. Provides high softness, suitable for high-end fashion products.
  • Cons: High cost, complex process, requires steaming and thorough washing after printing. Difficult to manage for large production volumes.
• UV-curable Ink:
  • Pros: Cures instantly, has extremely high surface durability, is scratch and water-resistant. Suitable for printing on interior decoration materials and outdoor advertising items.
  • Cons: Does not penetrate fabric as deeply as dye inks. The printed surface may feel slightly stiff, making it unsuitable for direct-wear clothing.

5. How to Choose the Right Ink for VieTextile DTG Printer Models

To achieve the best printing performance and protect the printhead’s lifespan, it is mandatory to choose the correct ink type that is compatible with each machine model.

• H1 – H2 DTG Printers:
  • Recommended Ink: Genuine Reactive Ink and Pigment Ink.
  • Reason: H1 and H2 models specialize in printing on cotton, viscose, and cotton-polyester blends, requiring inks with high adhesion and good wash resistance.
  • Recommendation:
    • Use Reactive Ink for products requiring high colorfastness, and Pigment Ink if you are producing with an environmentally friendly approach.
• H3 and TS1600 Large-format Industrial Fabric Printers:
  • Recommended Ink: Disperse Dye and Pigment Ink.
  • Reason: H3 and TS1600 models specialize in printing on large-format polyester fabrics, which require vibrant colors and good lightfastness.
  • Recommendation:
    • Use Disperse Ink to achieve the widest color gamut for mass production of items like curtains, banners, and sportswear; or choose Pigment Ink if a simplified, water-saving printing process is needed.
• UV600 Printer:
  • Recommended Ink: Genuine UV-curable Ink.
  • Reason: The UV600 uses UV-curing technology, requiring a special type of ink to adhere firmly to fabrics and synthetic materials.
  • Recommendation:
    • Choose genuine UV ink to ensure high colorfastness, scratch resistance, and a certain degree of softness for interior decoration products.
• Q1 and G1 Multi-purpose Fabric Printers:
  • Recommended Ink: Pigment Ink or a combination of Reactive/Disperse depending on needs.
  • Reason: Q1 and G1 are designed for customers producing a diverse range of products from T-shirts and tablecloths to furniture.
  • Recommendation:
    • If you prioritize colorfastness and low cost, choose Pigment Ink. If you have high requirements for vivid colors, consider Reactive or Disperse based on the fabric material.

In summary, each VieTextile printer model has been optimized for a specific type of genuine ink. Using the recommended ink not only helps the machine operate stably but also maintains sharp print quality throughout the product’s lifespan.

6. Tips to Optimize Costs When Choosing and Using Ink

• Buy ink in bulk to get a better price, but ensure you have a standard storage process.
• Carefully check the ink’s expiration date; never use expired ink as it can easily clog the printhead.
• Periodically recalibrate colors using RIP software to save ink consumption.
• In addition, to ensure the printer operates stably for the long term, you should also refer to 9 Ways to Maintain a DTG Printer.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which ink is better for printing on cotton T-shirts, Reactive or Pigment? If you need the highest wash fastness, choose Reactive Ink. If you prioritize environmental friendliness, choose Pigment Ink.
2. Can I mix inks from different brands? No, because each brand optimizes its own formula for viscosity and temperature to suit its machines.
3. Does VieTextile supply genuine ink? Yes. We provide a full range of Reactive, Disperse, Pigment, and UV inks.
4. Are environmentally friendly inks more expensive than regular inks? They are about 10%-20% more expensive, but they save on wastewater treatment costs and are preferred by international markets.

Conclusion

Choosing inks for a DTG printer is a vital factor for a business to ensure product quality, optimize costs, and achieve sustainable development. You need to clearly define the fabric type, quality requirements, production process, and choose a reputable supplier to invest correctly from the start.Are you looking for high-quality ink that is perfectly compatible with your DTG printer? Contact VieTextile for a free consultation and a preferential quote!