---
title: What is a white underbase
shortDescription: Learn why white underbase is used in DTG printing and when it applies to your designs.
articleType: Reference
primaryTopic: white-underbase
categories:
  - Products
tags:
  - white-underbase
  - dtg-printing
  - print-technique
  - dark-garments
  - color-vibrancy
  - ink-layers
  - print-on-demand
  - garment-printing
  - design-quality
tasks:
  - Understand what a white underbase does
  - Know when white underbase is applied automatically
  - Review how underbase affects prints on dark garments
terms:
  - white underbase
  - dtg white layer
  - print on dark shirt
  - ink underbase
  - color vibrancy dark garment
  - white base layer
  - dtg printing technique
  - underbase printing
labels:
  - product-design
  - print-on-demand
contextString: Available on all plans. Applies automatically to qualifying designs on dark garments.
breadcrumbPath: "Create and sell products > Printing Techniques > What is a White Underbase?"
relatedModules:
  - name: catalog-product-all
    route: /admin/products/all
  - name: samples-order
    route: /admin/dashboard/contributions/orders/samples/order
last_updated: '2026-05-20'
path: create-and-sell-products/printing-techniques/what-is-a-white-underbase
---

# What is a white underbase

A white underbase is a layer of white ink printed underneath a design to help colors appear vibrant, accurate, and visible, especially on dark or colored garments. Because inks used in Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing are partially transparent, the color of the fabric underneath affects how the final design looks. A white underbase acts as a neutral foundation so the colors printed on top appear closer to their intended shade. A white underbase does NOT alter your design colors.

## Why a white underbase is needed

Without a white base layer, inks printed directly onto dark or colored fabrics appear muted or distorted. The garment color bleeds through the semi-transparent ink and changes the final result.

Examples of what happens without a white underbase:

- Blue ink printed directly on a yellow shirt may appear greenish.
- Bright colors printed on black garments can look dull or washed out.

A white underbase prevents the garment color from showing through and altering the design. This ensures colors look bold and consistent across different fabric colors.

## When a white underbase is applied

Fourthwall applies a white underbase automatically when a design meets certain conditions. The underbase is applied when the design is:

- Colorful and printed on a dark or colored garment.
- White or includes white elements.
- Completely black and printed on a black or very dark gray garment (this helps preserve fine details and texture).

For DTG products, the white underbase is printed first, with the design colors printed on top. This helps colors appear vibrant and keeps details visible on dark garments.

In many designs, the white underbase may cover most or all of the print area, even if white is not visible in the final design.

## How white underbase affects prints on different garments

If you place the same colorful logo on a white t-shirt and a black hoodie:

- **On the white t-shirt**, the design prints directly onto the fabric. The garment itself already acts as a light base, so no underbase is needed.
- **On the black hoodie**, Fourthwall automatically adds a white underbase layer beneath the design. This prevents the black fabric from dulling or distorting the colors.

The result is a consistent, vibrant print on both products without any changes to the artwork.

Key facts about white underbase:

- Your artwork is NOT modified.
- The white underbase is typically not visible in the final print, though it may appear on the edges of very small or pixelated details on dark garments.
- You are NOT charged extra for the underbase.

## When the underbase can be visible

On DTG prints on dark garments, the white underbase can occasionally show along the edges of very small or pixelated design details. This happens where the color ink layer is thin or does not fully cover the underbase, leaving a hint of white at the edge.

To reduce the chance of this happening:

- Upload artwork at a high resolution so fine details print cleanly.
- Avoid heavily pixelated or low-resolution elements in your design.
- Order a sample to check how small details print on dark garments before launching.

While a white underbase significantly improves color vibrancy on dark garments, colors may still appear slightly less bright than on light-colored fabrics due to the fabric's texture and DTG printing characteristics. This is normal and expected across different garment colors.