When talking about print designs for clothes, you may hear people say two types of printers: DTF or DTG. The question is, what do all these letters stand for? In this text, we will study how each of these printers works, their pros and cons, kinds of ink they use, time and cost, and what they can do. This should give you a good idea of which would serve your purpose.
How DTF and DTG Printers Work
So DTF and DTG printers are special tools to print designs on clothes such as t-shirts and hoodies. What Does DTF Mean? DTF means "Direct-to-Film. " This indicates that the design is initially printed onto a specific type of film designed for strong adhesion to fabrics. The design gets printed on a film and then is heat transferred on the fabric. The heat allows the design to adhere to the fabric and look nice and remain in place.
On the contrary, DTG is "Direct-to-Garment. This means that a special inkjet technology prints the design directly onto the fabric itself. This type of printing is a very simple process that eliminates steps by not needing a film and transferring it straight onto the clothing.
Pros and Cons of DTF and DTG Printing
Another great thing about DTF printing is that it can be used on different kinds of fabric including dark ones which is a huge plus since not all printers allow for that. DTF printing produces vibrant colors that last through washes, keeping your designs looking great for years. This process can be time-consuming and complicated to do since steps are involved to print on the film and transfer it to the fabric.
DTG printing is generally more straightforward and quicker. And since the design goes directly on the fabric, it saves time and effort! This process further enables extremely delicate designs in that the printer can print tiny lines and different colours all at the same time. However, there is some limit to DTG prints. It only works on lightly colored fabrics while after a number of washings, the color will probably become faded.
Ink and Fabrics for DTF and DTG Printers :
Yes, there are small differences when it comes to the ink used in these two printers. DTF printers use a special type of ink known as DTF ink that has been manufactured specifically to give great results on fabrics and films. Most DTF inks can be used on a range of materials, like blends of cotton, polyester, and these fabrics. This gives you wide varieties to choose what to print on.
Unlike DTG printers that prefer water-based or pigment-based ink. The more environmentally friendly water-based inks, and the strong, vibrant colors of pigment-based inks. Because clothing will be worn regularly, pigment inks are key for designs that will remain bright for longer.
As you're deciding whether you should use DTF or DTG printing, it's imperative to consider what kinds of fabrics you'll work with and which ink is suitable for which types of fabrics. This helps enhance making the correct choice for your project.
Team up: Time and Cost of DTF and DTG Printing
As we have already said earlier, the DTF printing process can be a bit slower compared to DTG printing due to the film transfer process. The ability of this can lead to a great grant, meaning that you may delay the times of orders if there are many to fill. And DTF printers might require additional supplies, such as special adhesive powder and release paper, which can increase overall costs.
Conversely, DTG printing is much faster and maintenance friendly. That means you will print a high quantity in lesser time. But the bad thing is that ink cost as well as machine cost may be higher; a point to be considered in case of budget constraints.
Use of DTF and DTG Printing
Now let's talk about what you can actually make with DTF and DTG printing. DTF printing is perfect if you want to get prints with bright colors and intricate designs on dark garments. The fashion industry heavily relies on that. This is why you might spot DTF printing being used for logos, custom sports jerseys and team uniforms, as it is compatible with a lot of different fabric types.
Generally, DTG printing can print colorful and detailed designs on lighter colored fabric. Custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other custom printed clothing require vibrant and colorful designs. This is why DTG is popular, especially with designs meant to catch attention, as it can display multiple colors in a single design.
Both DTF and DTG printing have some pros and cons and special usage for each kind. The question of which is better to apply should be drawn from what kind of project you want or what types or qualities of fabric you will employ. We bring solutions for your needs, in the form of DTF printers and DTG printers at Jihui Electronic, while starting printing since now. Learn more about products and how Jihui would support you as well. Contact us!
