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White Toner Printer vs DTF Printer: Which is Best for Your Crafting Needs?

Written by Mokua Brian

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Reading time for 8 min

Are you a newcomer in the custom decoration business who wants to start expressing your creativity? Well, in that case, you’re going to look for optimal printing methods, materials, and techniques so that you can figure out where and how to invest. Even the experts in the custom decoration business are always seeking better ways to improve the quality of their prints at affordable costs. 

If you're wondering whether a White Toner Printer or a Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printer is the right choice, then this is the right guide to help you decide!!

Table of contents
1. What is White Toner Printing? 1.1 Why White Toner Printing is Great for Beginners 1.2 What to Keep in Mind Before Getting a White Toner Printer 1.3 What is White Toner Printing Best For? 2. What is DTF Printing? 2.1 Why DTF Printing Can be Great for Beginners 2.2 What to Keep In Mind Before Getting a DTF Printer 2.3 What is DTF Printing Best For? 3. Similarities White Toner Printers vs. DTF Printers 4. Differences White Toner Printers vs. DTF Printers 5. How to Choose White Toner Printer vs. DTF Printer? 6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is White Toner Printing?

A white toner printer, as the word suggests, uses special toner cartridges (including white) to print designs onto special transfer sheets. You can then transfer the printed designs onto T-shirts or any surface that is compatible using a heating mechanism. 

A crafter setting up a white toner printer for transfer printing

Why White Toner Printing is Great for Beginners

This printing method is great for beginners because of the following reasons:

It is very versatile: You can work on different surfaces, including fabrics, glasses, metal, wood, and many more. DIY enthusiasts and business owners have praised how White Toner printing has expanded their creativity levels.

Easy To Use: The setup and learning process of White Toner printers is straightforward. You can be able to make professional-looking transfers within a day of learning. The amazing part is that the printer software integration is seamless with CorelDRAW. Also, you don’t need strict daily maintenance of the printer.

Easy Preparation Work: White Toner transfers do not need any pre-treatment of the surface - you just print and heat press, that’s it! This saves you time. Figuring out the right way to print takes a few trials but you’ll finally manage to have a hang of it.

Quality Prints: Your prints are always guaranteed to look super sharp and colorful. White toner prints are vibrant and include white ink, which is hard to achieve with other printing methods. This printing method guarantees durable transfers when applied properly.

Fast Printing Speeds: White Toner Printers have fast printing speeds compared to other printing methods. This makes it easier to design many items within a short time.

A White Toner Print on A Transfer Paper

What to Keep in Mind Before Getting a White Toner Printer

Before purchasing a White Toner printer, you have to know the following information:

They are Expensive: Setting up a White Toner printing workspace is quite expensive. The printer itself costs at least $3,000 and you’re going to need other consumables. The initial setup costs of the printer plus consumables can be quite high, especially for initial starters. The printer works great, I love it, but the toner cartridges are very pricey. This makes it hard for users who aren’t doing high-volume printing. For seasoned crafters, it can be hard to justify the running costs.

Thick Transfers: The transfer may feel slightly thicker compared to other printing methods, which might affect the garment’s comfort.

Regular Printing Needed: To reduce your general maintenance costs, you need to use the printer regularly to keep it in good shape.

What is White Toner Printing Best For?

From user reviews, the White Toner printer has been praised for its versatility, professional-looking prints, and ease of use. So, if you want to create quality designs for more than just fabric, then you’re okay to invest and you’ll be getting professional results in your prints.

What is DTF Printing?

As the name goes, Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing transfers designs onto fabrics using a special film, an adhesive powder, and a heat press. To learn more about this method, check out our detailed guide on  what is DTF printing . The printing and application process is quite complicated compared to other printing methods.

A Crafter Printing with A DTF Printer

Why DTF Printing Can be Great for Beginners

DTF printing can also be great for beginners because of the following reasons:

It’s Perfect for Fabric: DTF Prints are among the best when it comes to customizing fabrics. Works great with cotton, polyester, and blends-This is great for customizing T-shirts and tote bags!

It’s Affordable to Set Up: It’s usually cheaper compared to the White Toner Printer. It’s more affordable upfront making it ideal for beginners. Converting to a DTF printer can save you thousands of dollars in business. And the results are even better compared to more expensive printing methods.

Vibrant Quality Prints: DTF prints vibrant, high-quality designs that work on both light and dark fabrics. It is not limited by color or fabric because it works best with a wider range of textiles, including stretchy materials. The colors are super vivid, I liked my designs. Also, the designs feel great in texture and they look like they’re part of the fabric. It’s perfect for custom T-shirts and hoodies.

Durable Prints: You’re guaranteed to produce prints that won’t crack or peel easily. DTF prints are more durable compared to White Toner prints.

A Crafter Doing a DTF Transfer on a T-shirt

What to Keep In Mind Before Getting a DTF Printer

It’s a Messy Process: DTF printing is a bit messy because you need to deal with the adhesive powder which can get everywhere. You need to find a way to reduce the mess as much as possible while making sure you do accurate transfers.

Longer Learning Curve: It has a longer learning curve compared to white toner printing. It requires specific consumables such as PET film, adhesive powder, and ink. DTF printing requires careful maintenance to avoid clogs and ensure quality prints.

Regular Maintenance Needed: The printer is a great option for the price, however, keeping the printer head clean is a challenge because you need regular cleaning or you risk having clogs. Especially if you have daily orders, you need to do cleaning almost daily.

What is DTF Printing Best For?

DTF printers have been praised for their affordability, textile-specific applications, and quality vivid prints. However, the regular cleaning of the print heads and the learning curve have been cited as a major challenge. All in all, DTF printing is an excellent option for small businesses or enthusiasts focused on apparel or fabric-based items. This is a budget-friendly option that gives you great results.

Similarities White Toner Printers vs. DTF Printers

From our discussion so far, you must have noticed that DTF and white toner printers are completely different, right? Well, you’ll be shocked that they share a few striking similarities. Let us have a look at some of these similarities.

Both DTF and White Toner printers involve printing on a PET film before transferring onto garments or other surfaces. They use white color as a base. The idea is similar to the white undercoating you can use during the painting of your walls. The films have an adhesion coating for strong bonding with the fabric you’re designing. They offer vibrant color output that pops on various materials, making them great for custom apparel. 

Both DTF and White Toner Prints can have Vibrant Colors on a Black T-shirt

A Heat press machine  is essential for both application processes. The heat is used to activate the adhesion properties of the design that is printed on the adhesion paper.

This is just a glimpse of the similarities between the two printers to give you a better understanding. However, if you work with these methods on a day-to-day basis, you’re likely to discover even more similarities between the two.

Differences White Toner Printers vs. DTF Printers

Feature
 White Toner Printer DTF Printer
Software
 User-friendly software Requires RIP software
Print Feel
 Thicker, less stretchable Soft, even texture, stretchable
Durability
 Less durable More durable
Maintenance
 Minimal maintenance Regular maintenance required
Application
 Wider range (magnets, banners, labels, etc.) Primarily for textiles
Cost
 Lower initial investment Higher initial investment
DTF Prints appear softer compared to White Toner Prints

How to Choose White Toner Printer vs. DTF Printer?

Well choosing the right printer for you will depend on several factors such as:

  1. Your Budget: If you have a tight budget, then a DTF printer will be ideal for you. This is because they are affordable to set up compared to White Toner printers.

  2. Items You Want to Customize: If you want to print on more than just fabric items, then you better get a White Toner printer. DTF printing is only limited to fabrics while White Toner printing is very versatile.

  3. How Often You’ll Print: Both printers will require maintenance especially if you don’t print often. However, a DTF printer needs more maintenance routine compared to a White Toner printer.

After considering these factors it’s much easier to know which printer you need for your custom project. Both printer options have similarities and differences as we've seen. However, despite their differences, they are very beginner-friendly as long as you agree to practice a bit. Most importantly, think about the project you want to create and your budget before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about White Toner Printers vs. DTF Printers that can help you with your decisions:

1. How does a printer detect ink levels?

Each printer has an optical sensor that shines light through a prism at the bottom of the inkwell. Once ink levels fall to a certain level, a beam of light bounces towards a low-ink sensor, which again triggers an on-screen message that tells you to replace the cartridge. Alternatively, if your prints start looking faded or incomplete, you can manually check the ink levels as per the printer’s manual.

2. What is the lifespan of a DTF print vs. a White Toner Print?

With the right application, proper care, and high-quality materials, DTF prints can last up to 50 or more washes without degrading in quality. This is equivalent to several years of regular use for custom items like t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags among others. On the other hand, White Toner prints can last between 15 and 30 washes before the quality of the prints starts degrading.

3. Do DTF Printers print in white color?

Absolutely yes. DTF Printing is an advanced printing method that prints colored and white ink layers simultaneously . You just need to make sure your color settings are accurate.

4. Can I convert a printer to a White Toner?

Yes you can, all you need is an Absolute White Toner. Just remove the black toner cartridge from your home printer, replace it with an Absolute White Toner cartridge and you are good to go.

5. How long does a white toner cartridge last?

A White Toner cartridge can yield approximately 2500 pages of printed text, and ink cartridges yield only about 200 printed pages . However, these estimates will vary based on the ink/toner manufacturer, how often you do your printing, and your printer model.

Conclusion

In the end, it all comes down to what your project needs and the budget you’re working with. As we’ve seen in this guide, both DTF printing and white toner printing have their advantages and disadvantages. 

For those entering the garment printing industry, DTF printing offers superior benefits, including the ability to print on various fabrics and colors with excellent durability and washability. This makes it ideal for quick and convenient on-demand printing without the worry of idle periods.

You can never go wrong with either of the two printers we’ve discussed. Consider your crafting goals and budget—whether you're crafting custom apparel or expanding your business, both printers offer incredible potential. Whichever printer you choose, remember to take time to master the process so your prints always shine!

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