Decoration Specs · DTG
Printed Into the Cotton.
Direct to garment printing through our DTG contractor. Full color with a soft hand on garments that are 60% cotton or more.
01 · Locations
Where It Prints
Designs print at the standard size unless the customer asks for a larger size, up to the max. Standard sizes and placement match BGX Print so a design can move between the two methods without resizing. Max sizes follow the contractor's 12" x 15" platen; "down from collar" measures from the bottom of the collar.
Front view shows the garment facing you, so the wearer's left chest (LC) sits on your right.
Adult front
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FF | Full front | 11" | 12" x 15" | 2.5" down from collar, centered | |
| FFH | Full front, pullover hoodie | 10" | 11" x 11" | 2.5" down from collar, above the pouch pocket | |
| FFV | Full front, V-neck | 10" | 12" x 12" | 1" down from the bottom of the V, centered | |
| LC / RC | Left or right chest | 3.5" | 5" x 5" | 3" down from collar (about 7" to 8" below the high point shoulder), center 4" from garment center | Adult 2XL and up: center 4.5" from garment center. Polo: top aligns with the second button. Full zip: center moves 0.5" out to clear the zipper by 0.75". |
| CC | Center chest | 3.5" | 5" x 5" | 3.5" down from collar, centered |
Adult back
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB | Full back | 11" | 12" x 15" | 4" down from collar, centered (below the hood seam on hoodies) |
| NK | Nape of neck | 3" | 3.5" x 3.5" | 1" down from back collar, centered |
Sleeves
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS / RS | Left or right sleeve (bicep) | 2.5" | 3.5" x 3.5" | Short sleeve: 1" above sleeve hem. Long sleeve: 6" down from top of shoulder seam. Centered on sleeve fold |
Youth
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YFF | Youth full front | 9.5" | 10" x 12" | 2" down from collar, centered |
| YFB | Youth full back | 9.5" | 10" x 12" | 2" down from collar, centered |
| YHD | Youth hoodie front | 9.5" | 10" x 10" | 2" down from collar, above the pouch pocket |
| YLC | Youth left chest | 3" | 4" x 4" | 2.5" down from collar (5.5" to 6.5" below the high point shoulder), center 3" from garment center |
Toddler and infant
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONS | Onesie full front | 4" | 5" x 5" | 1" down from collar, centered |
| TFF | Toddler full front | 7" | 9" x 9" | 1" down from collar, centered |
Bags and accessories
| Code | Location | Default width | Max W x H | Placement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BG | Bag or tote front | 8" | 10" x 12" | Centered on the front panel | DTG is cotton totes only. |
Codes, names, default widths and placement come from the BeeGraphix master location list, shared by every decoration method. See all locations.
02 · Artwork
Art That Prints
DTG prints full color with no color count limit and a soft hand, best for photos and detailed art on cotton. On dark garments the printer lays a white underbase first, so art is built the same way as DTF: solid pixels, transparent background.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Preferred files | Transparent PNG at 300 dpi; AI, SVG, EPS and PDF also accepted |
| Resolution | 300 dpi at final print size (a 12" x 15" print needs 3,600 x 4,500 pixels). 150 dpi is the floor |
| Color | sRGB, kept inside the CMYK gamut. Neon and exact PMS matches are not possible |
| Background | Truly transparent. On dark garments, black areas meant to show the shirt should be transparent, not printed black |
| Opacity | 100% opacity on every element. Low opacity and transparent gradients print blotchy; use a halftone instead |
| Minimum line width | 0.02" (0.5 mm) |
| Minimum text height | 0.14" (about 10 pt) |
| Proof | Digital proof showing size, placement and colors |
Won't Reproduce
- Neon, fluorescent and metallic colors
- Exact PMS matches (screen print is the route when color must match a PMS)
- Semi-transparent effects: glows, feathered edges, soft shadows
- Lines or text under the minimums above
03 · Stock Colors
The Palette
The store color picker uses the same 32 stock colors as BGX Print. Photos and full color art print as supplied. Click any color to copy its PMS.
Flesh and Vegas Gold are both listed as 467 C on the chart. Flesh prints as the lighter tone shown.
04 · Personalization
Names and Numbers
Names and numbers print DTG in the same pass as the design, by our DTG contractor. Sizes, fonts and limits match BGX Print.
| Element | Adult | Youth | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back name | 2" tall letters, max 12" wide | 1.5" tall, max 10" wide | 3" down from collar, centered |
| Back number | 8" tall | 6" tall | 1" below the name (4" down from collar with no name), centered |
| Front number | 4" tall | 3" tall | Centered on chest, or left chest area |
| Sleeve number | 3" tall | 2.5" tall | Centered on short sleeve |
| Name only (chest or sleeve) | 1" tall letters | 1" tall | Uses the LC, RC or sleeve placement |
Rules
- Name: max 14 characters.
- Number: max 2 digits.
- Color: one solid color per name or number, from the stock colors.
- Fonts: Athletic Block, Plain Block and Brody, the same three as embroidery and BGX Print.
05 · Restrictions
Know the Fabric
DTG ink bonds to cotton fibers, so the garment's cotton content decides whether a product can offer DTG at all. Each rule below becomes a product rule in Brandfora.
| Garment or condition | Rule in Brandfora |
|---|---|
| 100% cotton | Allowed. Best color and wash life. |
| 60% cotton or more (blends, tri-blends) | Allowed. Colors print slightly softer on heathers. |
| Under 60% cotton, 100% polyester, performance wear | DTG hidden. Route to BGX Print (DTF). |
| Nylon, waterproof shells, coated fabrics | DTG hidden. Route to BGX Print or embroidery. |
| Heavily textured fabrics (fleece pile, waffle knit, mesh) | Approval only. Fine detail breaks up. |
| Dark garments | Allowed with pretreatment and a white underbase. Pretreat can leave a faint square that washes out. |
| Zippers, buttons, snaps, seams, pockets | Print stays clear; the platen needs a flat surface. Full zip garments hide FF and use LC, RC or FB. |
| Caps, bags other than cotton totes, pants | Not offered in DTG. Route to BGX Print or embroidery. |
| Designs over the max size | Art review to resize. Never stretched or cropped without approval. |
06 · Order Policies
The Fine Print
Minimums, colors and turnaround for every DTG order.
Our DTG contractor
None (1 piece)
Full color, no limit
5 business days
60% cotton or more
Printed DTG in the same pass
07 · Status & Sources
Where It Stands
Setup progress for the Brandfora build, and where the numbers come from.
Setup Checklist
- Contractor platen: 12" x 15".
- Picker colors: BGX Print stock palette.
- Personalization: printed DTG in the same pass.
- Set price tiers by print size and quantity (Davis).
Sources
- CustomCat: DTG design guidelines and best practices (PDF)
- Gelato: Design file guidelines for DTG printing
Standard sizes and placement follow our BGX Print standard. Max sizes and artwork rules are BeeGraphix standards based on common industry practice.
Last updated September 29, 2026.