You want to custom-order T-shirts for your bridal party,  family event or for your store. T-shirt printing by which technology? Every printing technique has its own style and level of complexity. With so many different types of printing on T-shirts available, how do you know which one to choose? In this article, we explore the differences between DTF printing and DTG printing – the two most popular digital printing technologies in the semi-finished fabric and ready-to-wear market. It will help you choose the right method for your product.
DTF printing and DTG printing are both suitable for many small or personalized items, such as t-shirts, uniforms, cloth masks, tote bags, leather notebooks, pillowcase covers, etc. Some methods work better on specific fabric types, like polyester vs cotton.

T-shirt printing by DTG?

DTG printing is a process of printing on textiles using specialized aqueous ink jet technology. With the most advanced printers, DTG can print images and text up to 40 microns in size, allowing it to be printed onto higher quality fabrics such as wool and silk.

DTG printing is a straightforward, easy process that allows you to use your favorite fabrics in new ways. The platen is designed to hold the garment in place so that it doesn’t need to be moved between prints or sets of images. You can even print garments with metallic inks.

DTG printing is a process used to print textiles, like cotton and polyester, onto garments such as T-shirts, work clothes and swimsuits. The ink is applied in the very instant of its landing on the textile with no pre-treatment required. The design possibilities are endless because textiles can also be printed using transfer inks which means they stop drying once they come in contact with the fabric.

This printing offers some great benefits when it comes designing and producing your product. Direct-to-garment printing provides a print quality that cannot be matched by screen printing, especially when top and bottom exposure is needed. The best part is that you’re always in control of the final look and feel of your product with DTG printing.

T-shirt printing by DTG
DTG Printing

T-shirt printing by DTF?

With DTF you will print directly to the transfer sheet. Your image will be printed mirrored and you will lay down your color layer before your white layer. A few advantages of DTF are less ink used the ability to stack multiple image on one sheet and no pre-treat required. Instead off pre-treat you’ll apply an adhesive powder. So print can stick to pretty much any blend of apparel. Once complete and flicking off the excess material, you will then melt the powder so it creates one large adhesive.

DTF is a method of printing on fabrics such as canvases, wallpaper, t-shirts and many others. DTF printing requires no white ink, allowing for much greater contrast between colors, resulting in a more vibrant final print. This method works well for many materials including canvas and paper, but does have some limitations.

This printing may not be appropriate for photographs that are not suitable for the mirror effect, such as watercolor paintings where the bottom third doesn’t receive ink. Fabrics suitable for DTF printing don’t require special sizing, so they can be stretched or wrapped around items that would generally require special care during drying or stretching before they’re fully dry (such as acquiring smooth edges when properly sealed).

T-shirt printing by DTF
DTF Printing

If you want to have a large number of shirts for your business, or a large number of shirts for a large event, choosing a suitable T-shirt printing is extremely important. Because it will determine the quality of the product, the price and the style of the shirt.