"Better" depends on the job. DTF excels at full-color, intricate designs, and small to medium runs with no setup fees per color. Screen printing is more cost-effective for very large runs of simpler designs.
"Better" depends on the job. DTF excels at full-color, intricate designs, and small to medium runs with no setup fees per color. Screen printing is more cost-effective for very large runs of simpler designs.
DTF vs. Direct-to-Garment (DTG):
Fabric Versatility: DTF excels here, working on cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, and more, both light and dark. DTG is primarily for cotton and cotton-rich blends; polyester requires special DTG inks and pre-treatments.
Pre-treatment: DTF generally requires no pre-treatment on the garment itself (the film handles the base). DTG requires pre-treatment for dark garments to ensure white ink adhesion and vibrancy.
Hand-Feel: DTG typically offers a softer hand-feel on light cottons as the ink soaks into the fibers. DTF creates a layer on top, which can be slightly more noticeable, though advancements are improving this.
Durability: Both offer good wash durability when done correctly, with DTF often having a slight edge in stretchability and resistance to cracking.
Workflow: DTF involves printing on film then transferring. DTG prints directly onto the garment.
Best For: DTF is great for diverse fabric types and colors, and potentially more cost-effective for smaller runs on darks. DTG shines on light cottons for the softest feel.
DTF vs. Screen Printing:
Design Complexity & Colors: DTF easily handles full-color, photographic designs and gradients with no extra setup per color. Screen printing requires a separate screen for each color, making complex designs costly for small runs.
Setup Cost & Time: DTF has minimal setup. Screen printing involves significant setup time and cost for creating screens.
Run Volume: Screen printing is highly cost-effective for very large runs (hundreds to thousands) of the same design with limited colors. DTF is more economical for small to medium runs or designs with many colors.
Hand-Feel: Screen printing (especially with water-based inks) can offer a very soft feel. Plastisol screen prints and DTF can be comparable, depending on ink coverage.
Best For: DTF for intricate, multi-color designs in smaller quantities. Screen printing for large volumes of simpler designs.
DTF vs. Sublimation Printing:
Fabric Compatibility: Sublimation only works on polyester or polymer-coated items (ideally 100% polyester for best vibrancy) and is best on white or very light-colored fabrics as the ink is translucent. DTF works on almost any fabric type and color.
Mechanism: Sublimation ink turns into a gas under heat and dyes the polyester fibers directly, resulting in zero hand-feel. DTF transfers an ink and adhesive layer onto the surface of the fabric.
Color & Durability: Sublimation offers incredibly vibrant, permanent prints with no feel on polyester. DTF is also vibrant and durable on a wider range of materials.
White Ink: Sublimation does not use white ink, so it cannot be used effectively on dark fabrics. DTF uses white ink, making it ideal for darks.
Best For: Sublimation for full-color, no-feel prints on light-colored polyester items. DTF for a much broader range of fabric types and colors, including darks.
Each method has its strengths. DTF's key advantage is its incredible versatility across different fabrics and colors, making it a powerful all-rounder.
DTF doesn't require pre-treatment for dark garments (unlike DTG), works on a wider fabric range, and can be more cost-effective for smaller orders. DTG can have a softer hand-feel on light cottons.
Read MoreDTF transfers a design onto the surface of many fabric types (cotton, poly, blends). Sublimation dyes the fibers of primarily polyester or poly-coated items and works best on light colors.
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