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Gone are the days when screen printing was the only option for custom T-shirt printing. The printing industry is now home to several popular printing methods, each with their pros and cons. But between "direct-to-garment printing this" and "direct-to-film printing that," don't you wish someone could simply point you in the direction of the best printing method? We do!
The truth is that both direct to garment (DTG) and film (DTF) printing are better equipped to create detailed t-shirts, hoodies more efficiently than screen printing ever could. However, there are clear differences between DTG prints and DTF prints that go beyond the individual printing equipment and techniques required.
Here's everything you need to know to decide between DTG and DTF for your printing needs!
Key takeaways:
Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is a printing method that applies ink directly to the garment. The best way to understand how DTG printing works is to imagine a standard computer printer. A DTG printer uses the same ink technology as a standard printer, but with water-based inks (called aqueous inks) rather than oil-based inks.
Just like a standard printer, the garment design is sent to the DTG printer via a digital art file. Next, the print supplier applies a pre-treatment solution to the entire garment to prevent the white ink from soaking into the fabric or mixing with other inks. The solution is then cured with an air dryer or heat press to even out the print surface for a smoother finish.
Once the pre-treatment solution has cured, the garment is placed on a flat platform called a plate that holds the item in place. From there, the plate goes through the DTG machine, just like a piece of paper goes through a printer. The machine applies the water-based ink and the garment is cured again using an air dryer or heat press to lock in the design.
Direct-to-film printing, called DTF printing, is a new printing technology. Like DTG printing, DTF printing requires sending a digital art file to an inkjet printer, but that's where the similarities end in the printing process. DTF printers do not print directly onto the garment, but instead apply water-based ink to a special transfer film.
From there, apply fixing powder to the transfer film. Stabilizer powder ensures film adhesion and allows proper placement of DTF ink design on clothing. When setting powder is used, the printer uses a heat press to apply the design to the garment. The heat press hardens the ink and prepares it for official use.
DTF and DTG Printing: Pros and Cons
There are many advantages and disadvantages to DTG and DTF that you should consider before choosing the printing method that best suits your needs. We explore the differences between direct-to-garment and direct-to-film printing, from logistics such as production time and order quantity to priorities such as complexity and ease of printing.
Another important factor to consider when comparing DTG and DTF is the printing time. DTG printing is slower than DTF printing. This is often due in part to the two-step baking process. Print suppliers must first dry the DTG pretreatment solution before curing the ink design. If you use a forced air dryer instead of a heat press, it may take longer.
DTF printing, on the other hand, requires only one bake. Additionally, DTF printers use a heat press to adhere to the design instead of an air dryer, which speeds up the process. If time is critical to your design, you can work with your POD provider to limit production time. Order will ship your order in 2-5 business days.
DTF and DTG have different ink applications, meaning that some fabrics are better suited for printing directly on film, while others are better suited for printing directly on clothing. DTF printing is suitable for many types of fabrics such as nylon and fleece. For examplea classic unisex pullover hoodie made from pre-shrunk wool knit fabric, suitable for DTF prints.
With DTG printing, the types of substrates are a little more limited. Because DTG printing applies the ink directly to the garment, the ink is more compatible with natural materials such as cotton garments. For example, DTG prints can be used on premium cotton long-sleeve t-shirts or lightweight polyester cotton v-neck t-shirts.
The next battle between DTG and DTF printing is printing color. Both printing methods use the CMYK color model, a palette of primary colors consisting of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. However, as with the printing process itself, the similarities between DTG and DTF printing inks end here.
Regardless of the color of the garment, DTF prints always include white ink as a base, which can enhance the color vibrancy of the transferred design elements. In comparison, if the design is printed on black or colorful clothing, DTG printing only involves a white base. DTG printing on light colored garments does not use white base inks.
Another important difference between DTG and DTF printing colors is how the color ink is applied to the garment. Because DTG printers spray ink directly onto the garment rather than onto the transfer film, the garment may absorb some of the ink and become cloudy. Therefore, full-color DTG prints or multi-color prints are ideal for lightweight fabrics.
So, if there is a difference in print color between DTG and DTF printers, is there a difference in print complexity?Yes, but it's not what you think! Just because DTG printing may absorb some of the water-based ink does not affect the accuracy of your design. In fact, DTG printing is often preferred for its print quality and intricate details.
Since it is printed directly on the garment, all details remain clear, even when printing photos or complex designs. DTF printing still offers superior print quality, but some precision is lost when transferring the design from the transfer film to the surface of the garment. DTG won overall in the print quality category.
You might not think that different printing methods make a difference in print comfort, but you'll be surprised at the difference in feel between DTG and DTF t-shirts. DTG inks are applied directly to the garment without the use of fixing powder, giving the garment an incredibly soft and light feel.
In comparison, the sticky powder adhesives used in DTF inks can be thick and heavy. As a result, DTF t-shirts are often heavy and feel like plastic. DTF shirts can look tight on the chest and back, especially if they have large designs that wrinkle easily.
We've compared the vibrancy, complexity, and convenience of direct-to-garment printing and direct-to-film printing. The next step is to analyze the print durability of the final product. Both DTF and DTG produce durable prints. However, designs printed directly onto film are heavier and more prone to cracking and fading over time.
Last but not least, how sustainable is direct-to-garment printing compared to direct-to-film printing? Both DTF and DTG prints use water-based inks and are available in minimum order quantities to avoid waste from excess inventory. But it's no competition: DTG printing is much more environmentally friendly!
DTF printing uses a lot more white ink, which can affect the sustainability (and profitability) of your business. On the other hand, DTG uses far less ink and overall printing materials. Although DTG prints are heat pressed twice, the designs are printed directly onto the garment. So there is never any DTG waste from excess materials such as transfer film.
We've solved nearly a dozen considerations for DTG printing vs. DTF - how do you use this information to choose the right printing method? Unless you're working with a print-on-demand service, a big investment can't be avoided either. So when you look beyond the production costs of DTG and DTF, your decision boils down to your unique needs.
Let's start with fabric and color preferences. DTF is compatible with a wider range of fabrics, while DTG is more suitable for organic fabrics such as cotton or bamboo. DTF printing is also known to be more vivid, regardless of the color of the garment. However, DTG full color designs can be just as expressive when printed on a lighter colored garment.
Next, let's look at design details and durability. While both printing methods can produce fairly complex designs, DTG is the overall winner in this category. Since DTG prints are applied directly to the garment, they can easily and accurately reproduce detailed designs. DTG prints can even last a bit longer than DTF prints!
Last but not least, consider the sustainability of the printing method. Although both printing processes use water-based ink and produce garments to order, only DTG printing eliminates excess waste. Without the need for foil or screen, direct to garment printing is a more sustainable solution than DTF printing and traditional screen printing.
What are the primary differences between DTF (Direct to film) and DTG (Direct to Garment) printing?
DTF printing includes shifting ink from a broadcast film to the garment, while DTG printing at once applies ink to the fabric the use of a specialized printer.
Which approach offers better coloration vibrancy and element, DTF or DTG printing?
DTG printing normally presents great shade vibrancy and fine element with the aid of applying the ink directly to the garment.
What kinds of fabrics are quality perfect for DTF printing compared to DTG printing?
DTF printing is flexible and appropriate for a ramification of fabric, together with cotton, polyester and blends, while DTG printing is best on 100% cotton fabric.
How does print durability vary amongst DTF and DTG printing techniques?
DTG prints have a propensity to be more long lasting with higher wash fastness due to the reality the ink is without delay absorbed into the cloth fibers developing an extended-lasting bond.
In terms of producing pace, which technique is more inexperienced, DTF or DTG printing?
DTG printing is typically faster as it prints right away onto the garment, removing the need for a separate film transfer process this is a part of DTF printing.
Are there any environmental concerns while selecting among DTF and DTG printing?
DTG printing is regularly considered greater environmentally satisfactory because it generally calls for much less water and produces much less waste cloth in evaluation to the film system used in DTF printing.
Can DTF or DTG printing contend with complicated and difficult designs similarly nicely?
Each techniques can deal with complex designs, however DTG printing is often preferred for certain and complicated artwork because of its capability to create finer info and transitions without delay at the garment.
