T-Shirt Printing Explained
How toxic is T-Shirt printing?
Our supplier prints using “Direct-To-Garment” which has negligible “nasties” – inks cure into fabric without harmful residues, aligning with our GOTS focus (no pesticides + safe processing). It’s septic-friendly and low-VOC for Australia.
DTG is an inkjet printer that sprays water-based inks straight onto the t-shirt (like a giant paper printer, but on fabric). The design cures under heat giving a soft, breathable print with no plastisol, no PVC, and no phthalates.
I still always wash it once before wearing it.
| Printing Method | Adds Nasty Chemicals? | Safe for Your Organic Tees? |
|---|---|---|
| DTG | No (water-based, OEKO-TEX) | Yes – clean & soft |
| Plastisol Screen | Yes (phthalates, PVC, formaldehyde) | No – avoid |
| Discharge | Yes (formaldehyde fumes) | No – avoid |
| DTF | Some (adhesive VOCs) | Marginal – not ideal |