When we talk about custom garment printing, two of the most popular methods are Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing and Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing. These techniques have different strengths, so they are used for different designs and applications. It is necessary for you to understand the difference between these printing methods, whether you are an independent artist, a small business owner, or even a large-scale print shop owner. Knowing these differences would help you choose the most suitable option according to your needs.

We would like to put up a clear comparison of DTF vs DTG printing, involving parameters such as how they work or their key differences to help you make the best choice according to your specific design and requirements.

 

What is DTF printing?

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a new-age apparel customization or decoration method that has gained high popularity recently due to its versatility as well as its ability to print on a giant variety of fabrics. This method involves transferring the design from a special film onto the fabric using heat and pressure. The key difference between DTF and DTG printing lies basically in the technique used.

How Does DTF Printing Work?

DTF printing is a multi-step process that involves following a particular procedure to create very vibrant and durable prints. The steps include:

1. Design Creation: Before printing, graphic design software prepares a digital image and mirrors it.

2. Printing on PET Film: The design is printed on a specific type of film, which is made up of PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, using a DTF printer, which is used specially for DTF printing.

3. Powder Application: When the ink is wet, a special adhesive-type powder is applied to it. This powder acts as a type of glue when heat is applied to it.

4. Curing: The film is now heated to activate the adhesive’s functioning.

5. Heat Press Transfer: The acquired design is then transferred from the PET film to the fabric using a heat press operated at very high pressure and temperature.

6. Peeling and Finishing: Next, we carefully peel off the film, revealing a high-quality, vibrant, and durable print on the garment.

DTF printing can be used on various fabrics, including cotton, nylon, blends, polyester, and even leather, which makes it a preferred choice for business owners looking to print on a diverse range of fabrics or materials.

What is DTG printing?

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) fabric printing is another digital printing method, which is used to print on apparel. In this method, ink is directly sprayed onto the fabric, providing scope for highly detailed as well as full-color designs. When the fabric is printed using this method, the ink bonds with its fibers, which results in a soft and breathable print that feels like part of the clothing.

How Does DTG Printing Work? 

Direct-to-garment fabric printing is basically a 4-step process. The steps are as follows:

1. Design Preparation: A Raster Image Processor (RIP) program prepares and optimizes a digital image of the design for printing.

2. Pretreatment of Fabric: The piece of clothing is then treated with a special solution to help the proper absorption and bonding of the ink on the fabric. This stage is an essential step, primarily for dark-colored fabrics.

3. Printing: We use an inkjet printer, a special type of printer, to directly apply the design onto the fabric. Usually, we apply white ink on the fabric first (if necessary), followed by other colored inks.

4. Curing the Print: Next, we place the garment under a heat press or a conveyor dryer to dry. This stage helps set the ink on the fiber strands.

Direct-to-garment fabric printing is a technique that works exceptionally well for complex, photorealistic designs but is best suited for cotton and cotton-blend garments generally.

DTG vs. DTF Printing: What Are the Differences?

While both methods are used for custom apparel printing, DTF vs DTG has always been a tough choice, because of reasons such as differences in terms of application, fabric compatibility, durability, and cost. Here is a fair comparison of DTG and DTF printing based on the above factors and a few more:

 

DTF Printing vs. DTG: What Designs Are Each Printing Process Better For?

To determine which is better—DTG or DTF— the designs you want to print play a crucial role. There are different types of use cases for each kind.

DTG printing is best for:

1. Photorealistic Designs—Direct-to-garment fabric printing is an intricate method used to print images with detailed quality aspects such as gradients and shading as well as fine details. Due to the above reason, DTG printing is a preferred choice for photographic and hyper-realistic prints.

2. Soft, Comfortable Prints—The prints done through direct-to-garment fabric printing, do not add any additional layer to the fabric. Thus, it helps to make the fabric more breathable and comfortable to carry.

3. Short Runs and Custom Orders—There is no need for additional material such as transfer films in case of direct-to-garment fabric printing; thus, this is a preferred method for small batch printing or a singular design-making process.

4. Eco-Friendly Printing—In the DTG printing method, the ink used is generally water-based. Thus, this approach is a more eco-friendly method of printing as compared to other, similar methods.

DTF printing is best for:

1. Bold and Vibrant Designs—The DTF printing can be used to produce extremely bright as well as highly saturated colors. Therefore, this printer is considered an ideal choice for creating eye-catching graphics and promotional designs.

2. Printing on various fabrics—The DTF printing technique is primarily opted for due to its versatility to print on a wide range of fabrics, including polyester, nylon, or even a few non-traditional fabrics as well, whereas DTG is confined to cotton and cotton blends only.

3. Durability and Longevity—The prints done through DTF printing are usually prone to weathering for a longer run. These apparel are highly resistant to fading, cracking, and washing, making them an optimal choice for day-to-day use as work wear, uniforms, and even activewear.

4. Bulk Production and Cost Efficiency: This method is ideal for large or bulk orders, as it allows for the storage of the film for future use. Furthermore, the process is more cost-efficient because there is no need for pre-treatment.  

Conclusion

To enter the industry of apparel designing and customization, one needs to know every aspect of what a garment printer is. You might even need to study the difference between DTF and DTG in detail to start.

Both methods have pros, but the best selection depends on your fabric preferences, printing needs, and budget. For instance:their

• If you prioritize soft, highly detailed prints on cotton garments, go with DTG.

• If you need vibrant, long-lasting prints on various fabrics, DTF is the better option.

You must understand each method to make a successful choice and enter the creative apparel industry. At We Must, we provide opportunities to learn and connect with those already in the industry to get an A-Z overview of the industry, from tips to raw materials and many more through our website. If you are looking for a reliable DTF and DTG printing service, then, you can contact us for your needs! 

Frequently asked questions 

1. Which is more cost-effective, DTG or DTF printing?

When we discuss DTG vs DTG printing based on the cost parameter, DTF is found to be more cost-efficient, as it needs no pre-treatment and requires comparatively less ink as well. DTG can be expensive because of its high maintenance cost and ink consumption.

2. Can I use DTG and DTF printing together?

Some businesses use both of these methods, according to the use they need to implement. But using both methods on the same piece of clothing could fail both.

3. Which method lasts longer, DTG or DTF printing?

DTF, or DTF printing, is generally said to be a more durable method as compared to DTG due to its characteristic property of being resistant to fading even after multiple washes.

4. Does DTF feel different from DTG on fabric?

Yes, DTG prints are done directly onto the fabric and are therefore integrated within the fiber, while DTF feels slightly raised, similar to the texture of screen prints or vinyl film transfers.