DTF vs. DTG: How they compare and work together

If you’re reading this, you probably already understand the basic differences between direct to garment and direct to film printing. But what you may not realise is how similar they are in certain ways – and, more importantly, how you can use the best of both to take your custom printing business to the next level. John-Paul Burton, managing director at YES Group, explains.

At their core, both DTG and DTF are inkjet printers. They often use the same or very similar print heads, jetting tiny drops of ink onto a substrate. DTG sprays ink directly onto a T shirt, while DTF prints onto a film, which is later transferred onto fabric.

Since both use inkjet technology, they share the same maintenance demands and pitfalls. Keeping print heads in top condition requires consistent cleaning, proper humidity, and temperature control. A lack of maintenance can lead to disastrous results, whether you’re printing DTG or DTF.

That’s where the similarities end. When it comes to pros and cons, these two technologies are very different.

Why DTG still has a place

DTG printing produces some of the most beautiful, vibrant prints in the industry. Because it applies ink directly into the fibres of a T shirt, DTG prints feel soft and breathable. The biggest advantages of DTG over DTF is its soft feel and ability to produce stunning colour gradients, smoky effects, and detailed fades – things that are harder to achieve with DTF.

Another benefit? Cost per print. DTG cost per print is limited to the ink necessary to print the design and pretreatment spray. Direct to film requires… film… and adhesive powder as well as the ink. Typically, that adds up to a real difference in cost per print.

Why DTF is taking over

So why is DTF more popular than DTG right now?

• DTF is built for speed/ volume

Roll-to-roll DTF printer models cost the same or even less than a mid-grade DTG printer, but produce many more prints per hour than DTG. In fact, you can typically print an entire day’s worth of designs in under an hour – or a full week’s worth in a single day. That level of efficiency simply isn’t possible with DTG, which requires pre-treatment, printing, and curing each garment individually.

• DTF works on almost any fabric

With DTG, you have to say no to customers who want dark polyester prints or sublimated jerseys. (Okay, there are DTG systems dedicated to this, and you can jump through hoops to get prints onto dark poly, but it’s time consuming and expensive.) DTF solves that problem, allowing you to accept more business and expand your product range.

• DTF simplifies alternative placements

It’s incredibly simple to apply a small transfer as a shirt tag, or a sleeve or hem print design. All things that take much more effort with DTG.

• DTF transfers open up new revenue streams

Because DTF transfers can be printed in bulk, stored, and shipped, you can sell them wholesale to smaller print shops. These transfers are easy to apply with a heat press, making them a profitable product on their own.

How using both can be a win

In an ideal setup, DTG and DTF complement each other perfectly.

• DTG is ideal for:
  • Walk-in customers and last-minute orders.
  • Ultra-detailed designs with soft, natural fades.
  • Printing one-off or small batch orders quickly.
• DTF is ideal for:
  • High-volume printing and batch production.
  • Polyester, sportswear, and textured fabrics.
  • Selling wholesale transfers or stocking prints in advance.

If you’re a busy shop looking to scale up, the ability to run an entire day’s production in an hour or a week’s worth in a single day makes DTF a more economical and profitable solution. And if part of your business involves performance wear, jerseys, or tricky fabrics that don’t sit flat on a DTG platen, DTF can help you say yes to more customers and reduce production costs.

Using both DTG and DTF strategically gives you the best of both worlds – premium-quality, fast custom prints and scalable, cost-effective production.