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The pandemic has led tiny studios to focus on Print-on-Demand manufacturing. With it, DTG and DTF printing have entered the market, piquing the interest of manufacturers interested in dealing with personalised clothes.Direct-to-garment (DTG) has long been the most popular method for t-shirt printing and small productions, but in recent months, Direct-to-film or Film-to-Garment (DTF) has gained more traction in the industry supporters each time. Small products or customisation, such as T-shirts or masks, might benefit from both printing styles. However, because the results and printing process differ in both circumstances, deciding which is better, dtg or dtf & which one to use for a business might be challenging.
What is DTF Printing?
DTF is a printing technique that varies from DTG. After the printing & drying of a film share with a particular water-oriented ink, a thin adhesive is placed on the back & gets heated to make it used for storage or quick usage.
One of the vital benefits of DTF is that it eliminates the need for pre-treatment because powdered glue does that for you. Traditional dtg printing on polyester is challenging, and on other non-cotton textiles, thus the transfer is best employed on those.
DTG is developed primarily for cotton clothing. While DTF will never completely replace DTG for cotton printing, it is an excellent alternative for small businesses due to the cheaper initial investment required for a stand-alone version or a fully automated system of mass production transfers.
The requirements for DTF printing were not always on the user’s part for spending. However, whether someone is currently active in one of the digital textile printing methods listed above and wants to expand into DTF printing as a business, or someone who wants to start with DTF, they must invest in the Direct to Film or dtf printer.
What is DTG Printing?
Direct to garment printing, commonly known as DTG or direct to garment printing, is also known as digital garment printing, clothing printing, and inkjet to garment printing. DTG printing, in its simplest form, is the process of printing designs onto fabrics and clothes, most commonly tees.
It prints the desired graphic you need on the shirt using altered inkjet technology. Compared to screen printing, DTG printing is a relatively recent process that allows for much flexibility (which has dominated the customised t-shirt market for decades).
The best part of DTG printing or dtg printer for shirts is that it can be printed as soon as the graphic is submitted. It is a versatile and convenient alternative to traditional screen printing by printing directly onto a garment, allowing for more color mixing and photorealism.
DTF vs. DTG printing – Which to Choose?
DTF (Direct to Film) is gradually gaining traction as a viable DTG (Direct to Garment) substitute. When compared to DTG printing, DTF printing is more accessible. In addition, because DTF printing does not require pre-treatment and uses significantly less ink, it is less expensive. As a result, DTF printing has many applications.
DTF transfers can be used on various surfaces and products that otherwise would be difficult to print. It goes beyond what dtg printers can print on. DTG, on the other hand, remains the king of superb soft feel. DTF t-shirt printing is not as soft as DTG printed shirts, even though it feels better than laser heat transfers.
Direct to film printing entails printing a design onto a specific film, applying and dissolving a powder adhesive to the printed film, and pressing the design onto a garment or item without additional equipment! Here we note four reasons to choose DTF as your printing choice!
Applied to many materials
While 100% cotton is optimal for DTG printing, DTF can be used on various textiles, including cotton, fabricated leather, polyester, and nylon with bright & dark fabrics.
The transfers can be used on various surfaces, including baggage, shoes, glass, wood & metal! With DTF, you can increase your inventory by transferring your design works to various products.
Durability
There’s no doubting whether is dtg printing good-quality because the ink is sprayed directly to the garment, giving it a silky, barely-there hand feel.
Of course, DTF prints don’t have the same soft hand feel as DTG prints, but the transfers last longer. In addition, direct-to-film transfers are fluid and wash well, so they won’t get damaged or torn, turning them perfect for high-use products.
Easy application
Printing your design on a film transfer allows you to place it on difficult-to-reach or inconvenient surfaces. In addition, you can apply a DTF design to any surface that can be heated!
You can even offer your printed transfers directly to your clients and let them apply the design to whichever surface or item they choose with no special equipment because all it takes is heat to adhere to the design!
Keep your inventory more versatile
While it may be impractical to print a stockpile of your most popular designs on every size and color garment, DTF printing allows you to print popular designs ahead of time and store them in a small space. Then you’ll always have your best-sellers on hand to use on any clothing as needed!
Final Words:
While DTF printing isn’t a perfect substitute for DTG, there are several reasons why it might be a valuable addition to your company. Contact the top DTF printing company if you consider adding this useful technology to your arsenal!
