DTF vs DTG vs Sublimation

- DTG (Direct-to-Garment / Digital Direct-to-Garment Printing): Water-based textile ink is sprayed directly onto the fabric of the finished garment and then dried to set the colour; for dark-coloured garments, a pre-treatment solution and a white ink base coat must be applied first. Essentially, this is inkjet printing specifically designed for clothing.

- DTF (Direct-to-Film / White Ink Heat Transfer): Coloured ink and white ink are first printed onto a PET release film; hot-melt powder is applied and the film is dried to form a transfer sheet, which is then heat-pressed onto the T-shirt. The design consists of a layer of hot-melt adhesive film.

- Sublimation: Sublimation ink is printed onto transfer paper; under high temperature and pressure, the dye sublimates and penetrates into the interior of the polyester fibres, fusing with the fabric to form a single entity, leaving no surface film layer.

DTF Printers vs DTG Printers: Key Differences

1. Different printing media

- DTG: Prints directly onto the T-shirt itself; the garment must be secured in place, and each item is processed individually

- DTF: Prints onto a PET film; printing and heat transfer are completely separate processes; a batch of printed films can be produced and stored in advance, then heat-transferred upon receiving an order

2. Different supporting processes

- DTG: Requires a dedicated pre-treatment station and drying process; the cost and time involved in applying white ink on dark colours increase significantly; highly sensitive to T-shirt flatness and cotton content

- DTF: Requires a powder-shaking machine, drying oven and heat press; the printer is solely responsible for producing the film; high tolerance for fabric colour variations and weight discrepancies

3. Maintenance and Risks

- DTG: Water-based textile inks are highly prone to drying out and clogging; daily maintenance is required, and ink replacement/cleaning is necessary during prolonged downtime; sensitive to ambient temperature and humidity

- DTF: Features a white ink recirculation system, making it suitable for periods of inactivity; the I3200/I1600 30/60 cm models you previously viewed are the mainstream DTF desktop and small-scale production configurations

4. Core business suitability

- DTG = Premium 100% cotton printing machine

- DTF = General-purpose transfer film printer