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Nothing has hit the industry as hard as DTF, so much so that it could cause people to overlook older production techniques. However, DTG is still just as prevalent as it once was, despite a few myths bouncing around the industry, as Charlotte Darling, marketing manager of Amaya Sales UK, explains.
In garment decoration, technologies often rise and fall in popularity as the industry searches for faster, more flexible ways to produce apparel.
DTF printing has captured much of the attention, particularly among businesses entering the market. This has created the impression that DTF has effectively replaced other digital garment decoration methods and is often perceived as the only technology required to run a modern apparel printing business.
However, speak to established garment decorators and a more balanced picture quickly emerges. Many successful print operations across the UK, Europe and the United States continue to rely heavily on DTG printing as part of their production mix.
While DTF offers clear advantages in certain applications, DTG still provides capabilities that remain difficult to replicate with other decoration methods. Understanding where DTG fits in today’s production environment means addressing some of the myths that continue to circulate within the industry.
Myth 1: DTF has replaced DTG
Simply not true! The two technologies serve different production needs. DTG remains particularly effective when printing directly onto cotton garments, especially where soft hand feel, high-detail artwork and photographic images are required.
This is one reason many of the largest on-demand garment fulfilment operations in the United States and Europe are operating significant DTG production capacity. For detailed prints on cotton garments, DTG remains the most cost-effective and efficient digital process.
There is also the opportunity to buy DTG systems that will also produce DTF transfers, with the same ink set.
Myth 2: DTG is too slow for modern production
DTG is often compared with other decoration methods purely in terms of print speed. While useful, this comparison does not always reflect the full production picture.
Unlike traditional printing methods, DTG requires no screen setup, film output or transfer preparation. Once artwork is approved, garments can move directly into production.
Industrial DTG systems have also evolved considerably. Many production-level machines now incorporate integrated pretreatment systems, removing the need for separate pretreatment equipment and simplifying the workflow.
Pretreatment is also not required for every application. Printing onto white garments typically doesn’t require pretreatment, allowing those jobs to move through production even faster.
For short runs, complex artwork and personalised garments, the reduction in setup time can make DTG highly efficient despite differences in raw print speed.
Myth 3: DTG is only suitable for start-ups and low volume
Because DTG allows businesses to begin printing without the setup complexity of traditional decoration methods, it is often viewed as a technology aimed primarily at start-ups.
While it has certainly lowered the barrier to entry, this perception does not reflect how the technology is used at scale.
Many of the highest-volume garment printing operations worldwide rely on DTG as the core of their production workflow, particularly in e-commerce and on-demand fulfilment environments.
In these settings, DTG is valued not for its accessibility but for its ability to produce complex prints quickly and consistently without traditional setup processes.
Myth 4: DTG prints don’t last
Durability concerns were sometimes associated with earlier generations of DTG systems, particularly when pretreatment or curing processes were not well controlled.
Modern DTG workflows have addressed these challenges. When garments are properly pretreated and cured, DTG prints can demonstrate excellent wash durability while maintaining a very soft hand feel.
Experienced decorators point out that durability issues are usually related to process control rather than the technology itself. Garment choice, pretreatment application and curing conditions all play an important role in achieving consistent results.
Myth 5: DTG only works on cotton
In practice, many decorators successfully print onto cotton blends and treated fabrics, depending on the ink systems and processes used. Fabric composition will influence the final result, but the range of compatible garments has broadened over time.
For many print businesses, cotton-based apparel still represents the largest proportion of decorated garment sales, which is one reason DTG continues to play an important role in production.
Myth-busted
DTF has unquestionably become an important addition to the garment decoration toolkit and has opened new opportunities for many decorators to bring transfer production in-house.
Most experienced decorators recognise that no single technology solves every production challenge. The most successful businesses build flexible production environments, using each process where it performs best. Within that mix, DTG continues to play an important role, particularly for cotton garments, high-detail artwork and efficient short-run production.
