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Digital printing has transformed the custom apparel industry over the past decade. Two methods now lead the digital decoration space: Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF). Both produce full-color, photo-quality prints without the setup costs of traditional screen printing, but they work in fundamentally different ways.
If you have been told "just go digital" without much explanation, this guide breaks down exactly how each method works, where each one excels, and how to choose the right one for your project.
Direct-to-Garment printing works exactly like it sounds. A specialized inkjet printer sprays water-based textile ink directly onto the fabric surface. Think of it as a giant inkjet printer, but instead of paper, you load a t-shirt.
The ink actually absorbs into the fibers rather than sitting on top. This gives DTG prints a soft, "no-feel" hand that many customers love. The print becomes part of the fabric itself.
Direct-to-Film printing takes an indirect approach. Instead of printing onto the garment, the design is printed onto a special PET film. A layer of adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink, and the film is cured. The finished transfer is then heat-pressed onto the garment.
Unlike DTG, the ink and adhesive sit on top of the fabric rather than soaking into it. This creates a slightly different look and feel.
DTG produces prints with exceptional detail and smooth gradients. Because the ink integrates into the fabric fibers, prints have a natural, organic look. Fine text and subtle color transitions render beautifully. On light-colored 100% cotton garments, DTG quality is hard to beat.
DTF also produces vivid, high-resolution prints with excellent color saturation. Colors often appear more vibrant and opaque than DTG, especially on dark garments, because the ink layer sits on top of the fabric rather than absorbing into it. Fine detail is strong, though extremely thin lines can sometimes be slightly thicker due to the adhesive layer.
Winner: DTG for soft hand on light cotton. DTF for vibrancy on dark fabrics.
DTG works best on 100% cotton and high-cotton blends. The water-based inks need natural fibers to absorb into. Performance on polyester is limited, and DTG is generally not recommended for nylon, leather, or synthetic fabrics.
DTF works on virtually any fabric. Cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, tri-blends, canvas, denim, even leather. Because the transfer bonds to the surface rather than absorbing into it, the fabric composition matters much less.
Winner: DTF, and it is not close. The fabric versatility of DTF is its single biggest advantage.
DTG is famous for its soft hand. On white or light garments (where no white underbase is needed), a DTG print is almost imperceptible to the touch. On dark garments, the white underbase adds a slight layer, but it is still softer than most alternatives.
DTF has a noticeable hand. The ink-plus-adhesive layer creates a thin, smooth film on the surface of the fabric. It is not heavy or plasticky like low-quality heat transfers, but you can feel it. Some customers describe it as similar to a thin vinyl decal.
Winner: DTG for softness. If feel is your top priority, DTG on cotton is the way to go.
DTG prints hold up well through washing when properly cured, but they can fade gradually over many wash cycles, especially on dark garments. Following care instructions (wash inside-out, cold water, tumble dry low) extends the life significantly.
DTF transfers are remarkably durable. The adhesive bond is strong, and prints tend to maintain color vibrancy through many more wash cycles than DTG. The film layer also resists cracking better than screen printing plastisol in many cases.
Winner: DTF for long-term durability.
DTG has no setup costs and no minimum order quantities. You can profitably print a single shirt. However, DTG printers are expensive to maintain, pretreatment adds labor, and production speed is relatively slow (1 to 3 minutes per garment depending on complexity and size).
DTF also has no screens or setup fees, and transfers can be printed and stored ahead of time. Production is often faster because transfers can be batch-printed on continuous film rolls and pressed onto garments quickly. At low quantities (1 to 24 pieces), DTF is typically competitive with or cheaper than DTG.
Winner: DTF for cost efficiency on small orders, especially on dark garments. DTG is comparable on light garments.
DTG prints one garment at a time. Pretreatment, printing, and curing each garment is a sequential process. For large orders, this can become a bottleneck.
DTF transfers are printed in advance and pressed onto garments in seconds. A skilled operator can press 60 or more garments per hour. For larger orders, this speed advantage is significant.
Winner: DTF for speed, especially at volume.
DTG handles white ink on dark garments, but the white underbase is one of the most challenging aspects of DTG printing. Achieving consistent white opacity requires careful pretreatment, calibration, and maintenance. Inconsistent white is the most common DTG quality issue.
DTF produces consistently bright white because the white ink layer is printed onto film under controlled conditions, not onto an absorbent fabric surface. This makes DTF particularly reliable on black and dark-colored garments.
Winner: DTF for consistency on dark garments.
DTG is the right choice when:
DTF is the right choice when:
Absolutely. Many print shops, including ours, use both methods depending on the project. A streetwear brand might use DTG for their premium cotton tees and DTF for their polyester basketball shorts. A school store might use DTF for everything because of the fabric variety and durability requirements.
The best approach is to tell your printer what you need, including the blanks, quantities, design complexity, and priorities, and let them recommend the method that delivers the best result.
Both DTG and DTF are powerful digital decoration methods. Neither one is universally "better." The right choice depends on your fabric, your design, your quantity, and what matters most to you, whether that is softness, durability, speed, or versatility.
French Press Custom offers both DTG and DTF printing in-house, along with screen printing, embroidery, and vinyl heat transfer. Our team will recommend the best method for your specific project so you get the quality, feel, and value you expect.
Get a free quote or call (562) 758-5110 to discuss your project with our team.
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