GuideBeginner

Pretreatment optimisation for DTG

Less fluid, fewer rejects, better hand — usually at the same time.

6 minPrint Profit Navigator EditorialUpdated 22/05/2026

TL;DR

  • Over-application is the most common fault: it costs fluid, hand feel and wash results.
  • Weigh the garment before and after spraying to set an actual gram target.
  • Consistent pressing after pretreatment matters as much as the spray itself.

Pretreatment is judged visually. Two operators reach 'looks fine' at 22 g and 38 g respectively — a 70% consumable difference on the same garment.

  1. 1Define a gram target per garment type using a scale, not the eye.
  2. 2Fix nozzle distance, pressure and pass count; document them per garment class.
  3. 3Press at a defined time, temperature and pressure to flatten fibres.
  4. 4Run a wash test monthly and record the result against the gram target.

Standardising the gram target

Before
34 g average, 3.1% rejects
After
24 g average, 1.3% rejects
3,000 darks / month, fluid at €0.011 / g
€330 fluid + €221 reject saving = €551 / month

Interactive example

Loaded labour rate per productive hour

Loaded rate
€ 26,71 / h
Labour per garment
€ 0,245
Annual loaded cost
€ 41.140

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