When it comes to DTG printing, not all colors are created equal, especially when working within the limitations of the CMYK color model. This guide is designed to help you make informed color choices that ensure vibrant, accurate, and consistent print results.
Best Performing Colors (High Vibrancy & Accuracy)
These colors tend to print bright and true-to-screen:
Color | CMYK Value | Hex (for preview) | Notes |
Bright Red | 0, 100, 100, 0 |
| Pops well, stays vibrant |
Sky Blue | 70, 0, 0, 0 |
| Prints bright and clean |
Lemon Yellow | 0, 0, 100, 0 |
| High vibrancy, good coverage |
Magenta | 0, 100, 0, 0 |
| One of CMYK’s core strengths |
Cyan | 100, 0, 0, 0 |
| A base CMYK color - prints sharp |
Tip: Stick with pure or near-pure CMY values for best saturation.
Tricky Colors (May Shift or Mute Slightly)
Color | CMYK Value | Hex | Issues |
Deep Orange | 0, 65, 100, 0 |
| Can shift toward red |
Light Purple/Lavender | 30, 30, 0, 0 |
| It may look dull or pale |
Pastel Peach | 0, 20, 30, 0 |
| Lacks pigment, prints flat |
Tip: Use bold outlines or deeper contrast backgrounds to enhance soft tones.
Difficult Colors (Low Print Accuracy or Washed-Out Look)
Color | CMYK Value | Hex | Problem |
Metallic Gold | 20, 30, 70, 15 |
| CMYK can’t simulate metallics |
Neon Green | 30, 0, 100, 0 |
| CMYK lacks a fluorescent range |
Dark Navy | 100, 85, 0, 70 |
| Can turn muddy or too dark |
Tip: Avoid neon, metallic, and colors relying on Pantone spot inks.
Practical Printing Tips
Print on Light Garments for Accuracy: White or light grey tees provide a neutral base, reducing color distortion.
Use RIP Software for Color Matching: Raster Image Processors help optimize CMYK profiles for your specific printer.
Avoid Full Coverage on Black: Large, vibrant prints on dark fabrics may need a white underbase, which can shift tones and feel heavier.
Proofing: Always test print a small sample, especially for large runs or new color combinations.
Convert from RGB to CMYK Manually: Don’t rely on automatic conversions - manually adjust color values in Photoshop or Illustrator for control.
PDF Guide
Check how each color appears when printed on both white and black fabric backgrounds here.