GREENTEX BLOG
What Is Digital Print Fabric? Features, Differences from Screen Printing & Best Uses
“I want to make original patterned fabric, but large minimum lots are out of reach…”—the answer to that worry is digital printing. In this article, a fabric wholesaler explains how digital printing works, how it differs from traditional screen printing, and what it is best suited for.
What is digital printing?
Digital printing is a technique that prints design data directly onto fabric with an inkjet process. Think of it as an “inkjet printer for fabric.” Greentex’s Taiwanese fabrics are printed with a direct-jet method that sprays reactive-dye ink straight onto the cloth. Reactive dyes bond chemically with cotton fibers to develop color, making them well suited to 100% cotton fabrics.
Strengths of digital printing
- No printing plates needed—traditional screen printing makes a plate for each color, so plate costs are high. Digital printing has zero plate cost, making small lots easy to start.
- Unlimited colors and gradients—screen printing limits the number of colors, but digital reproduces photo-like gradients and watercolor touches exactly.
- Fine patterns stay sharp—intricate artwork, small motifs, and delicate lines resist blurring.
- Consistent on reruns—because it is data-managed, the same design is reproduced on repeat orders (please allow slight color variation between lots).
- Eco-friendlier—it uses less water than conventional dyeing, and making only what you need in small lots helps reduce excess inventory.
Differences from screen printing
| Digital printing | Screen printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Plate cost | None | Required per color (expensive) |
| Small lots | ◎ Existing patterns from 10m / custom from 100m | △ Large lots assumed |
| Colors & gradients | Unlimited; photo-quality OK | Limited number of colors |
| Fine patterns | ◎ Reproduced sharply | Thin lines blur easily |
| Unit price at high volume | Negotiable for large lots | Cheaper in large quantities |
In short, digital printing suits small-lot, high-variety, design-focused work, while screen printing suits ultra-high-volume runs of simple patterns. In an age of high-mix, low-volume production, digital is the choice.
Ideal for these projects
Original patterns for baby and kids’ brands (double gauze), custom patterns for accessory and bag brands (oxford, sheeting), corporate novelties (handkerchiefs, pouches), handmade creators’ own signature patterns, and small-lot production for test sales or crowdfunding. See our material guides on double gauze, sheeting, and oxford as well.
Inside Taiwan’s digital-print mills today
Our partner mill in Taiwan has introduced AI into production management to keep quality and lead times stable. To meet growing demand, it has added two of the latest machines to strengthen capacity. Demand for original prints rises year over year, and orders concentrate especially toward year-end. For urgent projects or fixed deadlines, we recommend booking early.
Greentex digital print fabric
Greentex is the official Japanese distributor of original Taiwanese digital print fabric. We print with reactive-dye inkjet direct printing at partner mills in Taiwan and inspect to Japanese quality standards before shipping. We have a track record of sales at major Japanese craft-store chains, with quality on par with Japanese-made fabric. Existing Taiwanese patterns start from 10m; fully original (OEM/custom) from 100m in about 2 months. We make a sample at the mill and move to production after your approval (the sample fee is free when you proceed to production).
See our FAQ for details, or reach out via Custom Production.
FAQ (Digital Printing)
Q1. Does digital print fabric fade?
Reactive dyes bond with the fibers to develop color and can be machine washed normally. For dark colors, we recommend washing separately the first time and drying in the shade (see our care FAQ). To check the hand-feel and color, please try a free sample first.
Q2. Are there plate fees?
No. Printing directly from data without making plates is digital printing’s biggest advantage, making small-lot original fabric realistic in price.
Q3. What is the minimum length?
Existing Taiwanese patterns start from 10m; fully original prints (OEM/custom) start from 100m in about 2 months.
Q4. What fabrics can you print on?
We handle eight 100% cotton bases (20-count sheeting, 10-count heavy sheeting, oxford, twill, double gauze, triple gauze, and more). Choose to suit your use.
Q5. What data should I prepare?
Please prepare high-resolution data (300dpi as a guide). We support major formats such as AI, PSD, PNG, and JPG, and can help adjust the repeat for continuous patterns.
