If you are beginning a clothing brand, you might wonder which printing method suits your design best. The array of options can be bewildering, so I've crafted this comprehensive guide to assist you in your selection.
DTF - Direct To Film
DTF stands for Direct to Film. A design is printed onto transfer paper using a specialized printer. This paper is then applied to the garment and heat pressed for a direct transfer. The versatility of DTF makes it a recommended choice.
Pros:
-
DTF can be applied to pretty much any fabric. Cotton, polyester, viscose, anything.
-
Fast turnarounds.
-
Low cost.
-
Very durable.
-
Vibrant colours.
Cons:
-
Ironing at high temperatures can cause discoloration.
-
You need to find a skilled DTF printer for the best results (like us!) as you need a DTF specialized printer.
DTG - Direct To Garment
Direct-to-garment is a t-shirt printing method that involves applying inks directly to the garment from a printer. This technique utilizes computer files to customize designs without the need for screens or stencils, enabling the printing of intricate designs with vivid colors, high resolution, and sharpness. You can use DTG on most popular t-shirt fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and cotton and polyester blends. It produces the best results on natural fabrics such as cotton.
Pros:
-
Direct-to-garment printing can handle highly complex designs with multiple colors or photographic detail.
-
DTG inks sink into the fabric for a smooth feel.
-
Direct-to-garment printing uses eco-conscious inks and materials.
-
Fast turn-arounds.
Cons:
-
Direct-to-garment printing works best on cotton and is not as ideal for fully polyester t-shirts.
-
DTG t-shirts have less resistance to washing and sunlight than screen-printed shirts.
-
DTG printers are expensive, though you can mitigate this by working with a company (like us!).
Screen Printing
The screen printing method applies ink designs to shirts by pressing ink through a mesh partly blocked off by a stencil printing shape. Utilizing a mesh medium categorizes screen printing as an indirect t-shirt printing method.
Pros:
-
Screen printing produces vivid prints for simple patterns with a small number of colors.
-
Screen-printed designs can be very durable.
-
Screen t-shirt printing is cost-efficient for large orders.
Cons:
-
Screen t-shirt printing requires significant set-up time for stencils and screens which can lead to slower turnarounds.
-
Screen printing isn't suitable for complex color patterns or high-resolution images.
-
The screen printing process is only cost-efficient at large scales.
-
Screen printing can leave a "cheap feeling" texture on the print.
Sublimation
Sublimation is known as all-over printing (AOP) or dye sublimation as it can be applied to all areas. Dye sublimation can print repeated patterns or cover areas like seams. It bonds to the fabric at a molecular level. The design is transferred to paper, then applied to the garment and heat pressed to bond with the fabric.
Pros:
-
Can be printed all over a garment.
-
Sublimated inks blend into the shirt's fabric, creating a smooth look and feel.
-
Sublimated shirt designs won't fade or peel.
-
Fabrics remain totally breathable.
Cons:
-
Dye sublimation doesn't work well with cotton or dark garments.
-
Sublimation is expensive compared to other t-shirt printing options.
Embroidery
Although not for printing, embroidery is a widely used method for transferring designs onto garments. It requires digitizing a design and inputting it into an embroidery machine, which then utilizes a needle and thread to embed the design onto the fabric.
Pros:
-
Gives a nice '3D' effect to your design.
-
Very durable and long lasting.
-
Can work on almost any fabric.
Cons:
-
Not suitable for complex designs.
-
Not suitable for very large designs or very small or intricate designs.
-
Can give a rough feeling on the opposite side of the fabric.
-
Unsuitable for gradient colors.