Direct to Garment vs Dye Sublimation: Which Ink Is Best for Textiles

Printing on Textiles with Wide Format Inks

The demand for digitally printed textiles, fabrics, and garments continues to grow, especially in the garment, promotional, and interior design markets. Two of the most popular printing methods in this space are Direct to Garment (DTG) and Dye Sublimation (Dye-Sub)—each with its own strengths and ideal use cases.

In this blog, we’ll explore how both technologies work, their benefits, and how Cyklop Needham can help you develop the perfect OEM-compatible wide format ink for your business.

Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing

Direct to Garment printing allows inkjet printers to apply graphics or text directly onto fabrics, most commonly cotton-based materials like t-shirts. This method uses water-based, pigment-rich inks that are printed straight from the printhead onto the garment surface.

Once printed, the garment is heat-cured to make the ink permanent, washable, and lightfast—all while retaining the soft texture of the original textile.

DTG is especially effective for:

• Cotton and cotton-blend t-shirts

• Hoodies and sweatshirts

• Tote bags and fabric accessories

For darker fabrics, a white under base layer is often printed first to ensure vivid, high-contrast colour results. Because DTG inks are pigment-based, they offer longer-lasting brightness compared to dye-based alternatives.

Dye Sublimation (Dye-Sub) Printing

While also widely used for textiles, Dye Sublimation is a more versatile technique that enables printing on both fabrics and hard surfaces—such as mugs, bottles, and phone cases.

The dye-sub process uses special transfer paper and heat presses. Here’s how it works:

1. The image is printed onto transfer paper using dye-sublimation inks.

2. A heat press then transfers the ink onto the final surface.

3. The ink transforms from a solid to a gas (sublimates), bonding directly with polyester fibres or coated materials.

Dye-Sub is ideal for:

• Polyester garments and sportswear

• Promotional mugs and water bottles

• Face masks and custom accessories

• Soft signage and banners

Since the ink is infused into the material, rather than sitting on top of it, dye-sub produces long-lasting, vibrant prints with no peeling or fading.

Who Uses Wide Format Textile Printing?

Digital textile printing is booming in a range of markets, particularly where customisation, brand identity, and short-run production are important. Popular applications include:

• Printed promotional garments (t-shirts, hoodies)

• Tote bags and cotton accessories

• Branded merchandise (mugs, face masks, bottles)

• Interior fabric graphics and signage

According to the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), UK businesses spend an estimated £1.46 billion per year on promotional products—much of which involves wide format ink.

How Cyklop Needham Can Help

At Cyklop Needham, we’ve spent over 60 years developing OEM-compatible ink solutions for industrial and commercial printing markets. We specialise in wide format inkjet inks tailored for:

• Direct to Garment printing

• Dye Sublimation processes

• Promotional product decoration

• Custom signage and textile printing

Whether you're looking to save money with OEM alternatives or need a custom formula to meet specific substrate or colour requirements, our UK-based chemists can deliver inks that exceed expectations—without compromising on quality.

Speak to Our Ink Experts Today

📞 Call: +44 (0)1948 662629
📧 Email: info@needham-ink.com
🌐 Visit: www.needham-ink.com