DTF or DTG transfer, which solution to choose?
Everyone is talking about it: the DTF (Direct To Film) technique. Having become the reference technique for textile personalization in just a few years, it is even starting to rival other techniques already well established on the market.
DTG, for example, a revolutionary technique at the time, now has to prove its legitimacy in the face of the rise of DTF.
While both techniques produce excellent results, it's important to understand their differences to choose the solution best suited to your needs. Whether you already use one of these two techniques or not, discover our comparison between DTF and DTG and learn more about the world of customization!
What is DTF?
A revolutionary technique in textile personalization, DTF or Direct To Film has established itself on the market with little difficulty. As its name suggests, the design is printed directly onto a film, which is then transferred onto the textile using a heat press.
In addition to offering exceptional quality, DTF allows for printing on all types of materials and colors (light or dark, cotton or polyester, silk or synthetic fibers). DTF transfers enable you to reproduce crisp images with fine details, vibrant and colorful visuals, and markings that resist fading and peeling.
Ideal for medium to large production runs, this technique is the fastest and cheapest on the textile personalization market. Whether it's printing (20m²/h with a 60cm printer, 4 print heads and 4 passes) or pressing (12 seconds at 150°C), it's clear that DTF far surpasses other personalization techniques.
The arrival of printing services has also made DTF (Direct-to-Fly) printing simpler and more accessible , eliminating the need for professionals to invest in sometimes expensive and maintenance-intensive machines. If you opt for ready-to-press DTF prints, all you need is a heat press to personalize your textiles.
However, it's important to remember that perfect prints require perfect files. You absolutely must follow certain printing rules to achieve the desired result. A poorly prepared file can negatively impact print quality. Therefore, creating your file is crucial and will be the most time-consuming step.
Furthermore, for those considering this technology, it's important to understand that a DTF printer differs from a standard office printer and requires regular upkeep and maintenance. It's designed for high-volume production and is therefore unsuitable for small print runs.
What is DTG?
In theory, DTG is the simplest personalization technique. Choose a design, place your garment in the printer, and let the magic happen. The DTG, or Direct To Garment, technique involves printing directly onto the fabric. Who hasn't dreamed of such a simple personalization method?
In addition to reproducing highly detailed images and complex patterns with multiple colors, DTG offers exceptional professional results. You can customize all types of materials and colors and create markings that are highly washable.
DTG inks are water-based and are absorbed by the fabric during printing. Once pressed, the colors are vibrant even on dark fabrics, and the finished product has a soft feel.
Printing a DTG file is quite simple. By using the design software integrated into Ricoh printers, for example, you can print your visuals without needing any specific skills.
This solution is suitable for both small and large production runs. Machines like the Ri100, offered by Ricoh, are perfect for starting to personalize 100% cotton white or light-colored t-shirts.
Conversely, the Ri2000, also offered by Ricoh, provides high productivitywithout material or color limitations. This second machine is recommended for high-volume production (over 500 pieces). It is even estimated that it can pay for itself in just 4 months by printing and selling 20 t-shirts per month.
One of the drawbacks of this technique is the pre-treatment of the textiles. You must first apply a layer of polyester coating to all the textiles you wish to personalize with direct printing. Some brands offer t-shirts that are already pre-treated on the front, allowing you to skip this step, but this can quickly become cumbersome if you want to personalize other items.
As with DTF printers, Direct To Garment printers require regular upkeep and maintenance to keep them in good working order. Remember that these are production printers and, as such, you must take good care of them.
Final verdict: DTF vs DTG, who wins?
Although DTG revolutionized the textile market a few years ago, it seems that today industry professionals prefer a more versatile and faster solution. While the two techniques are comparable in terms of results, DTF is far superior in terms of profitability and production time.
If you are still hesitating between the two techniques, do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 01 34 33 01 55.
See you soon,
The Créadhésif Team
