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DTF (Direct to film) is quickly becoming one of the best application printing technology, it takes many market share of DTG and heat transfer printing. But is it really better than DTG? How to choose? To understand these two technologies, we need to learn some details between one method and the other.
Both types of printing are suitable for cotton, poly, cotton-poly blend, such as shirts, masks, small items or personalization. The results and printing process are different in both cases, but it easy to decide why DTF is better for your business.
Pros of DTF printing
✱ Do not need pre-treatment.
For DTG, DTG requires start with pre-treatment on the garments. Because we need allow the ink onto the fabric well, pre-treatment is necessary. Pre-treatment needs take about 5 minutes. DTF doesn’t need to pre-treatment, if you can save 5 minutes for one shirt, you can save much time per day.
✱ Save more inks.
DTF printing uses less ink for DTG. The ink output of DTG printing is usually done at 80% CMYK ink and 200% white ink, while DTF only needs 60% color ink and 60% white ink.
✱ DTF printer is cheaper
DTF printer is cheaper than DTG printer. DTG printer price is USD1000.00-USD30000.00, while DTF printer is USD2000.00-USD8000.00. And DTF printing is more accessible compared to DTG printing.
✱ DTG is only for cotton, while DTF is for any type of fabric.
DTG can only be printed on cotton, while DTF printing is widely application. You can use and sell the DTF transfers sheet, easy to take some small customized business. Except cotton, it can be applied to many fabrics, such as poly, cotton-poly blend, textile.
✱ DTF can be also for DTG machine
DTF printing uses CMYK + white pigment ink, and DTG machine uses such ink, so DTF can work on DTG machine. If you have DTG machine and want to experience DTF, then you do no need buy a DTF printers, can print your DTG printer directly.
✱ Lower in shipping
You can sell the DTF transfers directly, it is small, thus the shipping cost is low. While DTG printing, you need ship the shirts with design on it, cost more expensive.
✱ DTG will be fade
DTG will be fade after several washing, DTF can keep the colors for a longer time.
Process of DTF
✱ Printing on film
After we make the designs on software, they can be printed on film via mirror type directly. You can print many artworks in advance, heat press it when use it. It will print color inks first and the cover the color designs with white ink. White ink can cover the color of fabrics.
✱ Baking the powder
DTF PRINTING requires hot melt powder as the adhesive function. When the designs enter in the powder machine, it will be covered powder, at the same time, the powder will shake and baking on the white ink. This step is automatic, you do no need do anything.
✱ Transfer the film to fabric.
Heat press the PET film transfers on the garment directly, then remove the clear carrier, the final step is finished. Transfer temperature is 150-160’C/302-320’F, transfer time is 8-15s, transfer pressure is 0.3-0.5Mpa
In short, DTF printing can do some works that DTG couldn’t do, thus it becomes one of the most popular printing technology. But as the difference of their application and usage, both are widely used. DTG is better for fast and bulk printing service, DTF is better for small-scale printing.
