Custom apparel printing is a hot topic for small businesses, hobbyists, and anyone looking to create personalized T-shirts, hoodies, or even bags. Two popular methods dominate the scene: Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing. Both deliver great results, but they work differently and suit different needs. If you’re wondering which one is better for your project, this article breaks it down. We’ll cover how each method works, their costs, print quality, versatility, speed, and ease of use to help you decide.
What Is DTG Printing?
DTG printing is a process where a printer sprays water-based ink directly onto fabric, usually cotton or cotton-blend garments like T-shirts or hoodies. It’s like using a regular inkjet printer, but instead of paper, you’re printing on clothing. The ink soaks into the fabric, creating a soft design that feels like part of the garment.
The process starts by loading a shirt onto a flatbed printer. You create your design in software like Photoshop or Canva, then send it to the printer. For dark fabrics, the machine first lays down a white ink base, followed by the colored inks. After printing, the garment goes into a heat press or tunnel dryer to cure the ink, making it washable and durable.
DTG is great for small orders or one-off designs because there’s no setup time. It’s a favorite for print-on-demand shops, Etsy sellers, or anyone needing detailed, colorful prints without a big upfront cost.
What Is DTF Printing?
DTF printing, or Direct-to-Film, is a newer method that’s becoming popular. It involves printing a design onto a special film, adding adhesive powder, and transferring it to fabric with a heat press. Unlike DTG, the design sits on top of the fabric rather than soaking in.
To start, a DTF printer prints your design onto a clear film using pigment inks. A white ink layer is added for dark fabrics. Then, adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink, either manually or with a machine. The film is cured with heat to set the powder. To apply the design, you place the film on the garment, use a heat press to transfer it, and peel off the film once it cools, leaving the design behind.
DTF is versatile, working on many materials, and it’s ideal for both small and large orders. It’s also great for businesses that want to prep designs in advance or outsource transfers. If you’re curious about the right printer for this process, click here for a detailed guide.
Cost Comparison
Cost is a key factor when choosing between DTG and DTF. Let’s look at the numbers.
DTG printers are pricey, with entry-level models costing $10,000-$20,000. You also need a pretreatment machine for dark fabrics ($3,000-$5,000) and supplies like inks and pretreatment fluid. The cost per shirt is about $1-$3 for ink and supplies, depending on design size. Since DTG requires no setup, it’s cheaper for small orders (1-10 shirts). However, ongoing maintenance, like cleaning printheads, adds to the cost.
DTF printing also has high startup costs. A DTF printer costs $8,000-$15,000, and you’ll need a powder shaker and curing oven ($2,000-$5,000). Supplies like film, powder, and inks cost $2-$4 per transfer for a standard design. The upside is that DTF transfers can be made in bulk and stored, lowering costs for larger orders. You can also buy pre-made transfers, which saves on equipment costs if you’re just starting.
For small runs, DTG is more affordable due to no film or powder costs. For 50+ shirts, DTF often wins because bulk transfer production reduces per-unit costs.
Print Quality and Durability
Both DTG and DTF produce high-quality prints, but they differ in appearance and longevity.
DTG prints are soft because the ink sinks into the fabric, especially on cotton. This makes them ideal for detailed designs with gradients or many colors, like artwork or photos. The prints feel lightweight and breathable. However, they may fade slightly after 20-50 washes, especially if not washed properly. Dark fabrics need a white underbase, which can make the print feel slightly heavier and increase costs.
DTF prints sit on top of the fabric, creating a slightly raised texture. The colors are vibrant and consistent on any fabric color due to the white ink and adhesive. DTF prints are very durable, lasting 50+ washes without fading or cracking if applied correctly. However, large designs can feel stiff, especially on thin fabrics.
If you want a soft, integrated print, DTG is better. For bold, long-lasting designs on any fabric, DTF is the way to go.
Versatility and Fabric Compatibility
DTF’s biggest advantage is its flexibility. It works on almost any material—cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, leather, and even non-textiles like wood or canvas. This makes it perfect for printing on hats, bags, or jackets, not just shirts. The adhesive powder ensures strong adhesion without special pretreatment.
DTG is more limited. It works best on cotton or high-cotton blends (70%+ cotton). Synthetic fabrics like polyester can cause issues like ink bleeding or poor sticking unless they are pretreated carefully. DTG also requires a flat surface, so it’s not great for non-flat items like hats or thick jackets.
If you’re printing on diverse materials or non-textile items, DTF is the clear choice. For cotton T-shirts, DTG is still excellent.
Production Speed and Scalability
Speed is crucial, especially for businesses with deadlines. DTG is fast for small orders because there’s no setup. Printing one shirt takes 1-2 minutes, plus 1-2 minutes for curing. However, each shirt is printed individually, so large orders (50+ shirts) take a lot of time. Pretreating dark fabrics also adds a step.
DTF is slower for single prints. The process—printing the film, applying powder, curing, and transferring—takes 5-10 minutes per transfer. But DTF excels for larger orders. You can print and cure multiple transfers at once, store them, and apply them in seconds with a heat press. This makes DTF much faster for bulk production.
For one-off or small runs, DTG is quicker. For large orders or businesses with steady demand, DTF’s ability to prep transfers in advance saves time.
Ease of Use and Learning Curve
DTG printing requires some technical skills. You need to learn pretreatment settings, ink maintenance, and how to avoid printhead clogs. Setting up design files with the correct color profiles and alignment can also be tricky for beginners. Regular maintenance, like cleaning the printer, is necessary to keep it running.
DTF printing has a steeper learning curve. The multi-step process—printing, powdering, curing, and transferring—can feel complex at first. Getting the heat press settings right (temperature, pressure, time) is critical to avoid issues like peeling. However, once you get the hang of it, DTF is manageable, especially if you buy pre-made transfers to skip the printing step.
DTG is slightly easier for beginners due to fewer steps. DTF becomes straightforward with practice or if you outsource transfers.
Which One Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on your goals:
- Choose DTG if: You’re focused on small runs or one-off T-shirts, especially on cotton or cotton blends. It’s great for print-on-demand or designs that need a soft feel. The lack of setup costs makes it ideal for startups or hobbyists.
- Choose DTF if: You need versatility across fabrics or want to scale up to larger orders. It’s perfect for businesses printing on diverse items like hats or bags or producing transfers in bulk for efficiency.
Some businesses use both—DTG for quick cotton prints and DTF for everything else. Think about your budget, fabric types, and production needs before deciding.
Final Thoughts
DTG and DTF printing both have strengths. DTG is simple, soft, and cost-effective for small cotton-based orders. DTF is versatile, durable, and scales well for larger runs or varied materials. By comparing costs, quality, versatility, and speed, you can pick the best method for your project. Whether you’re starting a T-shirt business or experimenting with custom designs, both DTG and DTF can help you create awesome products.
