White Ink Underbase Process

100% white: maximum opacity on dark garments, best for 100% cotton. 80% white: slightly faster print, adequate for most blends, uses less ink. Start at 100% for dark black garments; reduce to 80% for charcoal/navy where full opacity less critical.

Muddy white usually indicates: insufficient pre-treatment, inadequate white density, incorrect ICC profile, or white layer not fully cured. Increase white density to 100%, extend cure time to 90 seconds, and apply heavier pre-treatment spray.

White ink adheres poorly to polyester alone. For poly blends, increase pre-treatment and white density. For 100% polyester, use alternative: heat transfer vinyl or UV DTF instead. DTG white is formulated for cotton/cotton-blend adhesion.

Causes: insufficient white underbase, white layer not fully cured before color printing, poor pre-treatment, or inadequate final cure. Ensure white is 100% opacity, cured 60-90 seconds, and final press applied at 330-350°F for 60-90 seconds.

Properly applied and cured: 50-100+ washes. Longevity depends on fabric quality, cure time, and garment care (cold wash, inside-out, mild detergent extends life). Test wash your samples to verify durability before customer delivery.

Use DTG pre-treatment spray formulated for your printer brand (Epson, Brother, Anajet, etc.). Follow application: 2-3 light, even coats. Cure 10-15 minutes before white printing. Over-application causes color bleeding; under-application causes white adhesion failure.