DTF Printer vs DTG Printer: How To Choose The Right Printing Method

Direct-to-Film (DTF) and Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing technologies have gained popularity in the custom apparel industry for their ability to produce high-quality, vibrant, and durable prints. While there are some similarities between DTF and DTG, distinct differences make each printing method suitable for specific applications.

Understanding these printing methods in-depth can help you make the right choice of printing. This guide will take you through the DTF and DTG so that you will be able to make an informed decision at the end. Keep reading to find out more!

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing involves printing your designs onto a specialized transfer film and using adhesive powder with heat to make transfers. After printing your designs, you need to apply the adhesive powder, cure it with heat, and transfer it to your fabric using a heat press machine. To learn more about this method, check out our detailed guide on what is DTF printing.

DTF printing is very versatile and can be applied to a variety of materials. It works on almost any fabric such as cotton, polyester, blends, and denim among others. This makes it ideal when you want to print on lots of different materials with the same designs. 

For example, you can make similar DTF transfers for Valentine’s Day celebrations on a T-shirt, Dress, Sweatpants, Leather Bags, fabric-coated items - you name it as long as it’s fabric, DTF has got you covered. Do not try DTF transfers on non-textile surfaces such as leather, canvas, or wood, your transfers will not work.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a mode of printing where ink is directly sprayed onto fabrics using inkjet technology and special textile inks. DTG printers print on garments using the same mechanism your home printer sprays ink onto paper. The only difference is that the garments have to be pretreated before printing to make the colors pop. Have a look at our detailed guide on What is DTG and see how it compares with other printing methods in the market.

With DTG printers, you’re guaranteed to have super soft and detailed prints, especially if you’re designing 100 % cotton or high cotton blend fabrics. Avoid synthetic fabrics because they cannot absorb the ink properly during printing. Most crafters and business owners in the custom apparel industry prefer using DTG when designing cotton fabrics because of the high-quality results.

Now that you’ve defined DTF and DTG printing, let’s compare the two printing methods across different features so that you can be able to discern which is suitable for your crafting needs.

For your DTF printing, you’re going to need the following equipment and supplies:

For your DTG printing, you’ll need the following:

DTF printers will provide you with excellent-quality prints. You’re sure that your prints to come out smooth and elastic which ensures longevity. They will also be resistant to cracking meaning they can handle heavy use and many washes without the quality degrading. However, avoid washing with very hot water because this can lead to cracking.

To make the most of DTF prints, consider doing transfers that involve photos, fine art, and colorful designs . This is because in DTF printing the ink is not absorbed into the fabric but pressed on top thereby providing vibrant colors. The print will not feel bulky on the fabric because only a thin layer of the design is pressed on top of the fabric.

On the other hand, DTG prints also provide fantastic quality with a lightweight feel but this depends on some factors such as the color of the fabric. DTG transfers are less vibrant on black or colorful garments because the fabrics absorb the ink and dull some of the colors. 

However, despite DTG prints absorbing some colors, it is often preferred by most crafters because of the intricate details in preserves. Since the colors are applied directly to the fabrics, the details of the design will remain crisp.

Any crafter using DTF printing will tell you that DTF print complexity is like no other in the market. The prints always come out sharp, clear, and realistic which means they’ll be as close to the original design as possible. The best part is, you can even print gradients and each pattern will come out distinct especially when printing on white or light colored fabrics. 

A DTF printer uses white ink for its base and the primary colors known as CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) . This ensures that all your prints will be vibrant and vivid in color no matter the type of fabric.

On the other hand, DTG prints are also clear and sharp but the print complexity is undermined by the fact that ink is absorbed by the fabric. Similarly, it can be quite tricky to print gradients with DTG because this relies on the fabric’s absorbency which varies in every fabric type. 

DTG also uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) color model and the white under base ink is only used when printing on dark or black fabrics. Because of this, some prints will not come out as vivid and bright as with DTF printing. However, DTG prints are still considered awesome by many crafters who’ve mastered the art.

DTF printing is suitable for short runs and small orders because it does not require any fabric pretreatment. If you’re having print-on-demand (POD) orders, then DTF printing is the best option for you. It is possible to just work on 1 T-shirt or bulk orders because both options fit well with POD production.

It is also ideal for multi-materials designs because of its broad versatility in transfers. The added step of applying adhesive powder and curing before transfer can add to production time.

On the contrary, DTG printing is considered to be slower because of the need to pretreat and cure your garments. However, it is best suited for bulk orders needing high-quality and detailed designs. 

DTF printing has a lower upfront investment, especially on the equipment. DTF printers can be as low as $1,000 . It is more economical for small runs and a diverse range of materials. Also, consumables such as adhesive powder and transfer films are relatively affordable.

For DTG printing, the initial costs are quite high, especially for the equipment. DTG printers can range between $1,800 and $14,000 depending on the quality of the machine. Furthermore, the ink and fabric pretreatment solutions are more expensive which in turn drives up the per-print costs.

TIP: If you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, you can avoid such large investments altogether by partnering with print-on-demand (POD) service providers such as Printful and Gelato among others. 

Both DTF and DTG printers require regular maintenance such as cleaning the printheads to prevent clogs and performing other cleaning cycles. However, DTF maintenance is considered to be simpler compared to DTG because the pretreatment machine requires its own set of periodic cleaning and calibration. 

In terms of eco-friendliness, DTF printing is the way to go. This is because the technique in DTF printing allows for one-off printing, which means as a crafter you will not be worried about unsold stock. Since it is preferred in print-on-demand, it automatically eliminates overproduction which leads to material waste. 

Also, the ink used in DTF prints is water-based and non-toxic to the environment. The transfer process also creates the least waste since the transfer film for the design is usually recyclable.

Similarly, you can achieve eco-friendliness with DTG printing if you opt for one-off prints on demand because this reduces the overall waste in the whole process.

The good thing for you is that we’ve tackled nearly all the important aspects of DTF and DTG printing. So how do you use the information provided to choose the right printing method? Note that a considerable amount of investment is needed upfront unless you’re working on a print-on-demand service. Putting costs aside, your decision to choose the right printing method will depend on the unique needs of your design. Here’s a simple guide for you:

As we’ve established in the comparison, DTG printing technology is ideal for your business or personal crafting needs if you’re working with polyester, nylon, fleece, or any other synthetic materials. This printing technique suits those who want to customize items with designs that are detailed and colorful. You have to take advantage of the vivid and sharp nature of DTF prints.

Note: Since DTF transfers are added to the fabric as a layer, do not print large designs, especially ones with solid colors. The prints will come out as plasticky and you’ll be able to feel their weight.

DTG printing is preferred when you are working with purely cotton and high-cotton blend garments. You’ll be able to print apparel and accessories such as tote bags and T-shirts with ease while maintaining high-quality transfers.

Note: DTG printing is only ideal for less complicated designs despite supporting colorful images. Your designs with intricate features will not come out as clear or sharp as they would with DTF printing.

Remember that the costs of each printing method should not discourage your creativity, just focus on what you want to design and which method suits your needs. By evaluating your budget, material needs, and production volume, you can choose the right technology that aligns with your goals and maximizes your profitability. We wish you all the best in your crafting journey.