DTG vs. DTF Printing: Which Method Is Better for Your Designs?

DTF, DTG, GTG, FYI, OMG . . . so many acronyms, so little time. 

Jokes aside, let’s discuss the first two—DTF, direct-to-film printing, and DTG, direct-to-garment printing.

DTG and DTG are popular methods for printing designs onto garments. Both techniques have unique features and benefits, so choosing between them can be challenging if you’re starting a clothing brand, for example.

Understanding printing in depth can help you decide which suits your designs or brand best, whether you want to start a t-shirt business or learn more about printing techniques.

So, DTG vs. DTF printing: what are the main differences, advantages, and best uses for each? Keep reading to learn all there is to know about these popular fulfillment methods.

DTG vs. DTF printing: the verdict

If you’re eager for a quick answer, let’s cut to the chase. Both DTG and DTF printing deliver fantastic results, but which is better depends on your needs. DTG shines with natural fabrics like cotton, offering soft, breathable prints that are perfect for simple, bold designs. DTF, on the other hand, works well on a variety of materials, providing vibrant, long-lasting prints (especially for complex, colorful designs). So, consider your design and material before choosing the right method.

That’s the bottom line, but there’s more ahead: we cover how each fulfillment technique stacks up on things like print quality, durability, and complexity later in the post. But first, read on to learn how each printing process takes shape.   

What is DTF printing?

Direct-to-film printing is a relatively new technique that’s growing in popularity. DTF prints have excellent color accuracy and detail, are durable, and look fantastic. 

Other DTF printing benefits include low production costs, a wide range of color options, and the ability to print on dark and light garments. It’s also suitable for various material types like polyester, cotton, nylon, and fleece.

How does DTF printing work?

Here are the basic steps of DTF printing:

1. The design is printed onto a special transfer film with water-based inks
2. The ink on the film is then coated with a special adhesive powder
3. Then, the design is transferred onto the fabric using a heat press

While the process seems lengthy, involving multiple steps and actions, print time for one garment is just a few minutes.

Source: Printful

What is DTG printing?

Direct-to-garment printing is a method where the ink is jetted directly onto the garment, which allows for high-quality, full-color prints. DTG prints are soft, breathable, and durable.

DTG printing is best suited for fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and other natural materials, as the material absorbs the ink. DTG is one of the most popular printing methods in on-demand production.

How does DTG printing work?

Unlike DTF printing, DTG requires fewer steps to get the design printed on the garment. There are a few slightly different, but very similar, ways to print a DTG product. The technology and process we use goes like this:

1. First, the garment is loaded onto a printing platen. Then, a special pre-treatment is applied to create a bond between the fabric’s fibers and the ink.

2. Next, water-based ink is jetted directly onto the wet, pre-treated area to create the design. The drops of the different colored inks are jetted at very precise coordinates to create the unique colors and details of your image.

3. The garment is then carefully removed from the printing platen and placed on a dryer to evaporate the pre-treatment and cure the ink, creating a durable final print.

The main advantage of DTG printing is that it’s easy to print one-offs because there’s almost no setup time. Printing one t-shirt takes just a few minutes, and the production costs are low too.

DTG vs. DTF printing: what are the differences

While these printing methods may seem similar, they have substantive differences. Both provide awesome results, but there’s more than meets the eye.

Print quality and durability

DTF print quality is excellent. Even though the print has a plastic feel and might be slightly stiff initially, it’ll wear in after a few washes. Other than that, DTF prints are smooth and elastic, which ensures longevity. The prints are resistant to cracking and can handle heavy use and cold to lukewarm washes without fading color. However, the design may develop small cracks if garments are washed in very hot water. 

The DTF method is excellent for printing photos, colorful designs, graphics, and fine art. The results will be amazing because the ink doesn’t soak into the fabric but is pressed on top. Plus the print is very thin, so it doesn’t feel bulky.

Source: Printful

DTG printing also provides fantastic print quality with a lightweight feel. Initially, a fresh print may feel slightly rough, but it'll smooth out after a few washes. 

The DTG technique is great for printing colorful designs, graphics, text, and more. These prints always look great, but some factors may influence the outcome of the print. For example, since the fabric soaks up the ink, the print may be less vibrant, especially on black or colorful garments. 

When you follow the printed garment’s care instructions, the prints will last a long time. They won’t crack or peel. However, over an extended time (and many, many washes), colors may start to lose a bit of vibrancy. That said, the prints will remain fully intact. You may be surprised at how durable these prints are!

Print complexity

When it comes to print complexity, DTF prints are unmatched. DTF printing supports photos, detailed, full-color designs, fine art, small text, graphics, and more. The prints are sharp, clear, and realistic, so they’ll be close to the original design. What’s more, you can print gradients. However, keep in mind that the DTF print’s base (finishing color layer) is white ink, which may affect the gradient or transparency of your design.

Source: Printful

DTG prints also support colorful designs, graphics, photos, fine art, small texts, and more. These prints are vivid, clear, and detailed. But remember that the fabric soaks up the ink, which may affect the clarity of the design. It’s also tricky to print gradients with DTG, so you'll want to keep them limited and ensure your design is adjusted accordingly. You can learn more about transparency in DTG printing here.

Color vibrancy

DTF printing uses primary colors (known as CMYK or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and white ink for the base. Every design will be vibrant and vivid, no matter the fabric color or type. 

DTG printing also relies on the CMYK color model to print all designs, with our in-house technology using Red and Green as well (CMYKRG). The prints have a white ink underbase, but only when the design is printed on black or colorful garments. The white ink underbase isn’t used for printing designs on white fabrics. 

Since the ink is jetted directly onto the fabric, it soaks up some of the color. As a result, the vividness of the print is reliant on the product’s absorbency and can vary between different product types. The prints on some more challenging garments, for example, may not come out as bright or vivid as with DTF printing. Still, DTG produces some awesome prints!

Source: Printful

Fabric suitability

One of direct-to-film printing’s advantages is that it’s possible to print on various fabrics. This flexible printing method can be applied to polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon, and such fabric blends. The material will not affect the print, giving you more product options to design for your store.

Unlike DTF printing, DTG is best suited for natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, linen, or such fabric blends. That’s because the ink binds with the natural fabric fibers better than synthetic fabrics. That said, DTG can still effectively print on many cotton-blended products that include synthetic fibers as well. This allows DTG to still cater to a wide and varied range of trending products.

Source: Printful

Quantity

If you’re looking for a printing technique that suits print-on-demand production (POD), DTF printing is a great option. It’s possible to print just one shirt or bulk order custom t-shirts; both options fit well with on-demand production.

The same goes for DTG technology—it’s perfect for small and large orders. DTG is one of the most popular printing methods among dropshipping companies, as it’s easy to use this printing technique for as many items as you need.

Source: Printful

Eco-friendliness

If you’re looking for a sustainable fulfillment method, DTF printing is a solid choice. This technique allows printing one-offs, so you won’t have to worry about unsold stock. Being able to make products on demand also eliminates overproduction. The inks used in direct-to-film printing are water-based and non-toxic, so they’re environmentally friendly. 

The transfer film used for the design is usually recyclable, so the printing process mostly creates no waste.

DTG is also a good option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly fulfillment method. Waste in the process as a whole is very minimal. Like with DTF printing, you can print one-offs with the DTG technique. Making products on demand eliminates overproduction since items are only made when an order comes in. 

For example, Printful partners with Kornit, whose DTG machines produce almost zero wastewater and use less energy, lowering the carbon footprint.

Moreover, Kornit digital printers use water-based vegan inks that they formulate, test, and produce in their own ink factories. The inks are non-hazardous, toxin-free, biodegradable, and contain no animal by-products.

Source: Printful

On-demand fulfillment

DTF printing and DTG are good on-demand fulfillment techniques. It’s possible to order just one or multiple items, and the cost won’t change (bulk orders are an exception, as you may get a discount).

For example, at Printful, direct-to-film and direct-to-garment print products are only made after you or your customers order them. Printful also offers discounts for bulk orders, which is a nice deal if you need to order multiple items.

Upfront investment

You don’t need an upfront investment if you partner with a POD company like Printful to sell direct-to-film or direct-to-garment products. That’s because your products are made only when your customer orders them. You get money from your customer, pay Printful for the item your customer ordered, and keep the profit.

Suppose you want to print the garments yourself. In that case, you’ll need to buy a DTF printer or DTG printer, blank products, DTG or DTF inks, and other materials for fulfilling and shipping your orders. But you need to consider if making such a large investment will be worth it when you can dropship products with your designs under your brand.

DTF printing and DTG: what designs are each printing process better for?

After exploring each printing method in depth, it’s clear that both provide amazing results and suit businesses with POD production. However, each print provides a different outcome, which can enhance or spoil your design. Let’s recap each technique. 

When to choose direct-to-film printing

DTF technology will be better for your business if you want to sell items made with polyester, nylon, fleece, or other synthetic materials. Printing on other items like bags and hats is also possible, giving you more product options.

This technique is worth trying out if your designs are detailed and colorful and it’s important that your art has the best quality when printed. DTF prints always come out vivid and sharp. They are also durable and long-lasting.

However, if you want to print a large design, this printing technique might not be the right choice. That’s because DTF prints are added to the garment as a layer and if it’s a large solid print (i.e. a fully filled area), it can be uncomfortable since the layer isn’t breathable. You’ll feel the weight of the print, and the print itself can feel a bit plasticky.

Before selling items with DTF prints, you can always order one for yourself and compare the same design fulfilled with different techniques.

When to choose direct-to-garment printing

If you want to sell cotton and cotton-blend garments or products made with other natural materials, the DTG technique will be the best. With this method, you can print apparel and accessories like tote bags, so you'll have plenty of choices.

The DTG technique is also great for less complicated designs. For example, if you’re interested in printing text, logos, or graphic art. But DTG supports colorful images and designs as well. Although DTG can successfully handle small details, remember that prints may not be as clear or sharp as with DTF printing.

Direct-to-garment prints are durable, long-lasting, and great for printing larger designs, as the prints are breathable. Just make sure to follow the garment’s care instructions.

It’s one of the most popular printing methods in the world, so not much can go wrong with direct-to-garment prints. You can try out this technique depending on your needs and designs and see if the results match your expectations.

Read next:

• DTF Printing vs. Sublimation: Which Method Should You Go For?
• DTF Printing vs. Screen Printing: Which Method Fits Your Brand?