DTG vs. DTF Printing: How To Choose for Your Business

Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press in 1440. At the time, the cutting-edge technology could print more than 3,000 pages a day. It was far faster than the prevailing method of copying books by hand. Gutenberg’s invention kick-started the printing revolution—a bookmaking frenzy that continued for centuries.

Printing today isn’t just faster and easier, it's a completely different concept. Computerized printers can cut, sew, and paint. They print on demand with everything from lasers to chocolate. It seems like a digital file is the only thing you need to turn your vision into reality—no matter what you want to create.

For custom apparel designers, deciding what to print is only half the battle. The proliferation of high-quality options can make selecting the right printing method more confusing. With so many options, it’s helpful to home in on subtle design details and product features to determine what works best for you.

Learn about the differences between direct-to-garment and direct-to-film printing, so you can select the best method for your products.

What is direct-to-garment printing?

Direct to garment (DTG) is a common printing process for creating custom t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other textiles. This method produces highly detailed designs—including realistic photographs—on both light and dark fabrics. Unlike many traditional printing techniques—like screen printing, heat transfer vinyl, and direct-to-film printing—DTG printing applies images directly to fabric without needing a stencil.

Direct-to-garment printing involves creating or selecting a design, preparing the printing substrate, and using a DTG printer to apply water-based ink directly to the fabric. DTG printers use a process similar to standard inkjet technology to read digital files and print images.

To create a printed product, users place the printing substrate, typically a natural fiber fabric, over the bottom plate of the DTG printer and apply a dye fixative to help the fabric absorb the ink. Then the printer applies ink to the fabric to create the design. After printing is complete, you can remove the fabric from the plate and air dry it to cure the ink.

What is direct-to-film printing?

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is an image transfer technique that applies custom designs to apparel and textile accessories. DTF prints have vibrant colors and crisp, intricate designs.

DTF printing requires a digital image file, a DTF printer, heat transfer film, curing powder, and a heat press. DTF printers interpret digital files and print designs onto specialized heat transfer film with water-based inks. Printers use the exact amount of ink necessary for each design, reducing waste when compared to other methods like screen printing.

After the initial design has been printed, printmakers apply an adhesive powder and cure the design with a heat press. To transfer the design, printmakers place the fabric printing substrate over the bottom plate of a heating press, align the cooled transfer film, and press down to apply the head press and transfer the design. Products must dry for 24 hours before laundering.

DTG vs. DTF printing: What’s the difference?

• Material compatibility
• Color quality
• Product texture
• Print durability
• Production speed

Direct-to-film and direct-to-garment printing techniques can both create high-quality products, but the best choice depends on what you plan to print. Here are the key differences between these two printing methods:

Material compatibility

DTF printing works with a wide range of fabric types because it bonds with multiple types of fibers. This technique can print long-lasting designs on synthetic fabrics like nylon and fleece in addition to natural fabrics.

DTG printing, on the other hand, performs best on natural fibers like cotton and linen. Direct-to-garment printers spray water-based ink over the fabric. Natural fabric fibers absorb the dye more efficiently, resulting in clean designs with little to no color bleeding.

If flexibility and diverse product options are a priority, DTF printing may be a better fit.

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Color quality

DTG and DTF printing use similar color printing technology, though DTF results in more vibrant prints.

Both printing methods rely on CMYK color processing to print full-color images. This method can create almost any color by blending cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. DTF prints a white ink base layer under every design to increase opacity and help colors pop out against the background. DTG prints also use a white ink base layer, but only for designs on dark backgrounds.

The DTF image transfer process creates a layer of ink on the surface of the printed object—nothing blocks or dilutes the image. DTF prints demonstrate excellent color quality and saturation. DTG printing uses liquid ink—the designs sink slightly into the surface of the product. Although it has a high print quality, the colors may appear slightly muted compared to a DTF print.

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Product texture

DTG-printed products are soft and pliable. The DTF printing process occasionally results in designs that have a slightly stiff, plasticky feeling.

With DTF, ink designs are printed onto transfer film, cured, and applied to fabric as a single sheet. DTF transfers are essentially a solid layer of ink sitting on the fabric’s surface. Imagine putting a sticker on your elbow. As you bend and stretch your arm, the inflexible sticker pulls on your skin. This is essentially what happens with DTF prints on soft fabrics. Oversized designs and images with large, solid portions of solid color may be particularly susceptible to the sticky-sheet feeling.

DTG printing may be a better choice for large designs. These prints avoid a solid feeling by applying ink in liquid form into the fabric.

Print durability

DTF prints are generally considered more durable than DTG prints, especially on a wider range of fabrics. DTG is best for cotton and lighter colors, while DTF excels on a variety of materials and colors, including dark garments and synthetics, and is known for its wash durability. Machine washing with cool or cold water will reduce the risk of damage.

With proper care, both DTF and DTG designs will hold up well.

Production speed

DTF and DTG printing methods are viable for all order sizes, from small runs to large-scale production. While both methods can handle bulk orders, DTF offers a slight edge in efficiency for these larger print jobs.

With DTG printing, the setup is the same every time. Depending on the size of the design, DTG printers take approximately one to three minutes to create a print and can only print one t-shirt at a time. DTG garments need to be treated twice—once before design application and once after.

Even though it’s a multi-step transfer, the DTF process has a few speed advantages. DTF garments only need to be cured once before printing. For bulk orders, printmakers can use an assembly-line style production strategy to print designs, cure transfer film, and operate heat presses simultaneously.