DTF and DTG are two kinds of popular transfer operations in recent years. As a kind of brand-new transfer operation, DTF aroused people’s interest because of its principle of transfer printing. Different from DTG, the DTF can make the film directly and transfer the film to the garments. More and more manufacturers want to give it a try.
What are the Differences Between DTF & DTG?
● Principle of Transfer Printing
The biggest difference is their own principle of transfer printing. Why do they have such a difference in the principle of transfer printing? Let me show you below. The DTG’s full name is Direct-to-garment. It means the transfer printing will happen on the garments directly. The DTF is invented after DTG. Its full name is Direct-to-film. Before transferring to the garments, the film will be printed first. These two kinds of transfer operations are both of great populations in recent years.
● Process of Transfer Printing
DTG
Okay, let me introduce the transfer printing process of DTG to you. We are going to work on the garments directly. As a result, we need to have a pre-treatment in the beginning. The ink on the garment can be locked very well. The process of DTG is short than DTF. Compared with the DTF, the DTG’s need for white ink is less. Because only the part of the pattern needs to print with white ink on the bottom. Finally, the garments printed must be pressed. Then the clothing is completed. The DTG’s operation is quite different from most operations in the market.
DTF
Here is the transfer printing process of DTF. Firstly, we should modify the nozzle of the printer before printing. After printing, we need to fully spray the powder on average right now after printing and shake the over-sprayed powder down. Secondly, put the film into the oven to heat the powder on it at 140℃-150℃ for 3-5 minutes. Remember to preheat the oven before you heat it. Finally, use the heat press to heat transfer the image for 10-20 seconds. Preheating the heat press at 160℃-170℃ helps the image be transferred to the substrates better. By the way, the DTF film can be peeled both at high and low temperatures.
● Available Materials
On one hand, the DTG only can be used on cotton. On the other hand, the DTF can be used on any textile material, including some leathers resistant to high temperatures.
Advantages and Limitations of DTF
● Advantages of DTF
The biggest advantage of DTF is its wide range of fabric availability. Any textile materials can be transferred. You can even transfer the leathers which are resistant to high temperature. When you wash the DTF products, you can obviously feel the high quality of the transfer. Moreover, you can change the size of the film if you need. This is for free.
● Limitations of DTF
The DTF results in poor breathability of the fabric because of the construction of the film. Then the feel of the fabric is not the best. At the same time, the film will be wasted in the process of transfer printing. It is not friendly to the environment.
Advantages and Limitations of DTG
● Advantages of DTG
Firstly, it is friendly to the environment. Secondly, the feel of the fabric is very good which is better than DTF. It also has an excellent performance in washing.
● Limitations of DTG
DTG doesn’t need so many machines. But it needs lots of human power and time. Also, it can only be used on cotton, cotton, combed cotton, organic cotton, linen, etc. What’s more, if you have diverse sizes of products to produce through DTG, the cost will be higher.
How to Choose the Best Operation Between DTF and DTG?
There are three main aspects that influence your choice between DTF and DTG. Let me make a detailed description of these aspects below.
● Output
The DTG machine has diverse functions to use. It can provide a faster and bigger scale of production. Moreover, it can save your cost in the process of production. If you have a large order and the main products are made of cotton, you had better choose DTG. Otherwise, you can choose DTF.
● Product Fabric
DTF has a wide availability of fabric. The DTF film can be applied to the most common materials, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, etc. The leather which is resistant to high temperatures can also be transfer printed through DTF. At the same time, DTG can only be used on cotton. If your order includes different kinds of fabrics, you need to choose DTF transfer operation. But if your order only has cotton fabric, you can choose DTG to save your cost in production.
● Final Product Quality
During the comparison, the final results of DTG and DTF are different. The final result of DTG will be a little rough because it is direct-to-garment. But the final result of DTF is very pretty. The DTF ink has a higher density. It provides DTF with a pretty and glossy final result. If you have a high requirement for final product quality, I recommend you choose DTF.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you will know how to choose between DTF and DTG. You also learned more about the detailed information of DTF and DTG. There are some differences between DTF and DTG. But these differences can help you decide to make a decision in the end. You can make your decision according to your need in output, product fabric, and final product quality. Of course, you can also choose DTF if you only want to use it in your small studio.
If you have any questions about DTF or DTG, you are welcome to communicate with us through comments or e-mail. Thank you for reading here.
It was fascinating to know that DTG printing is environmentally friendly. My friend wants their brand to be sustainable. I should advise her to turn to DTG printing since it doesn't harm the environment.