Direct to Film (DTF) vs Direct to Garment (DTG)

Direct-to-Film (DTF) vs Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing: Pros and Cons

 

DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing

 Pros:

  • Versatility on Fabrics
  • Durability
  • Vibrant Colors

DTF can be applied on a wide variety of materials, including cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, and more.  It works well on both light and dark fabrics without special pre-treatment (the box you typically see on non white shirts from DTG printing).  Transfers are more durable and more resistant to washing than DTG ink, making the prints last longer, especially with proper application. Colors have excellent color vibrancy, especially for darker fabrics.

Cons:

  • Required heat press after printing
  • Feel on fabric
  • Equipment Cost

DFT Requires an additional heat press step after printing the design onto the film, making it a bit more time-consuming compared to DTG’s direct approach.  The transfer can feel slightly thicker and less "natural" on the fabric compared to DTG. This can be less comfortable for some customers, particularly for larger prints.  Larger prints feel like a giant sticker on the shirt, preventing the material from breathing.  Considered less comfortable than DTG.  The film process requires a heat press in addition to the DTF printer and powder applicator, which adds to the overall equipment investment.

 

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing

Pros:

  • Soft Feel
  • Ideal for low production runs
  • Eco-Friendly

DTG prints directly onto the fabric, resulting in a softer and more natural feel.  The ink becomes part of the fabric, making it comfortable to wear.  Larger prints go un-noticed due to material breathability.  Great for small orders and custom designs, as it doesn't require as much set up as DTF.  Water-based inks are generally more environmentally friendly compared to plastisol inks used in other printing methods.

Cons:

  • Limited Fabric Types
  • Pretreatment Required
  • Less Durable
  • Higher Cost for Dark Garments
  • Color saturation

Direct to garment works best on cotton or high-cotton content fabrics. It struggles with synthetic fabrics like polyester.  DTG requires pretreatment on dark fabrics, which adds time and costs to the process.  The pretreatment can be seen as a box when the customer gets the shirt, but this box will wash out on the first wash. The prints may not be as durable after multiple washes compared to other methods like DTF.  Printing on dark garments consumes more ink and requires pretreatment, which increases costs.  DTG prints may have less vibrancy on dark fabrics, and some colors can appear muted due to the base fabric fibers being exposed through the printed area after they setting and move.

 

Summary

  • Choose DTF if your artwork has less printing area and you are looking for a more vibrant look.
  • Choose DTG if your artwork is larger and you are looking for a more comfortable fit.