DTG File Preparation
DTG printing on dark garments demands a correctly prepared underbase, a clean and choked alpha channel, and an ICC profile matched to your specific printer. Files that work for screen print or DTF often fail on DTG — the requirements are different. We prepare files for your machine, your garment colour, and your RIP.
DTG is not screen print — the file prep is different
The same artwork file that prints perfectly on a screen print press will often fail on a Kornit or Epson DTG machine. The alpha channel needs to be choked for the underbase, the ICC profile must match the machine, and the colours must be compensated for ink-on-fabric absorption. We handle all of it.
Turnaround
Most DTG file preparation jobs are delivered within 2–4 hours of payment confirmation. We work with DTG shops across Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, and internationally — from single-machine operators to production facilities.
What Goes Wrong with DTG Files
These are the most common reasons DTG prints don't match the original artwork — and exactly what we correct before the file reaches your machine.
White underbase halo
On dark garments, the white underbase extends beyond the design edge. Without a correctly applied choke, every print shows a visible white border around the artwork.
Alpha channel issues
Blocky or incorrectly anti-aliased masks cause the underbase to print as a hard rectangle or uneven shape — visible as a white block on the garment even where no colour prints.
ICC profile mismatch
Kornit, Epson, and Brother DTG machines each use different output profiles. A file prepared for one machine sent to another produces a significant colour shift across the print.
Colour cast from fabric absorption
Dark garments absorb ink differently — reds print orange, blues shift purple, greens shift yellow. Files need colour compensation adjusted for both the garment colour and the specific DTG machine.
Incorrect underbase density
Too light and colours appear dull and washed out on dark fabric. Too heavy and the print feels thick, cracks after washing, or shows ink bleed at the edges.
Oversaturation for DTG output
DTG inks behave differently from screen print inks. Files prepared with screen-print saturation levels often produce muddy, bleeding, or overly dense results on garments.
What You Receive
Every file is verified before delivery. We check the alpha channel, underbase, profile, and colour compensation against your specific machine configuration. If it isn't right, we fix it before it leaves our hands.
- PSD or PNG with clean, correctly choked alpha channel for DTG underbase
- White underbase channel properly sized and density-adjusted
- ICC profile matched to your specific printer (Kornit, Epson, Brother, or other)
- Colour compensation applied for your garment colour
- File delivered in the format your RIP software requires
- Resolution verified at your print dimensions (min. 150 DPI)
- Pre-press check before delivery — print-ready or we fix it
Who uses this service
DTG print shops receiving client-supplied artwork that produces haloes or colour cast on-press. Screen printers expanding into DTG who need to understand the different file requirements. Garment brands producing short-run custom orders where rework is not an option.
Based in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu — India's garment export hub. 13+ years of prepress expertise across screen print, DTF, and DTG. Remote delivery worldwide: file in, file out.
Common Questions
What is a choke and why does DTG need it?
A choke is a slight contraction of the artwork mask — typically 1–3 pixels — applied to the white underbase channel. Without it, the white underbase prints slightly outside the design edge, creating a visible white halo on the finished garment. The correct choke amount depends on the printer, ink, and garment type.
Do you work with all DTG printer brands?
Yes. We prepare files for Kornit, Epson SureColor, Brother GTX, and other DTG systems. Different machines use different ICC profiles and RIP settings — tell us your printer model and we'll apply the correct settings.
My artwork looks correct on screen but wrong on the garment. Why?
The most common cause is an ICC profile mismatch or missing colour compensation for the garment colour. DTG inks on dark fabric absorb differently from on-screen RGB values — reds shift orange, blues shift purple. We apply colour corrections based on your specific printer and garment colour.
What causes white rectangles or blocks on DTG prints?
A hard-edged or embedded-background alpha channel causes the RIP to interpret the underbase area as a rectangle. The white underbase then prints as a solid block rather than following the design shape. Cleaning and feathering the alpha channel correctly resolves this.
What file format will I receive?
We deliver in the format your RIP software requires. Most DTG setups use layered PSD files (with a separate underbase layer) or flattened PNG files. Some RIPs require specific colour profiles embedded. Tell us your RIP and printer at the quote stage.
How long does DTG file preparation take?
Most DTG file preparation jobs are completed within 2–4 hours of payment confirmation. Files requiring colour profiling from scratch or significant rebuild work may take slightly longer — we'll advise at the quote stage.