DIRECT TO GARMENT PRINTING VS. DIRECT TO FILM (Pros & Cons)

Can’t decide which printing method is right for your business? Then join us as we compare Direct-to-Garment (DTG) and Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing. We will take you step-by-step through how to decorate a garment using each method, as well as explain the pros and cons so that you can decide which one best suits your needs.

01:34 – DTG Printing Process
02:32 – DTF Printing Process
03:49 – DTG Printing Pros and Cons
06:27 – DTF Printing Pros and Cons
09:24 – Profitability of DTG and DTF Printing

First, we’ll look at DTG printing. DTG printing is the process by which a custom design is printed directly onto a garment without the use of a special transfer sheet.

Now let’s examine the pros and cons each method offers.

DTG printing gives you the freedom to print garments without the need for special transfer film. Not only does this save you in time and material costs, but it also allows you to print larger or awkwardly shaped designs. Since the ink also binds directly to your fabric, DTG printed designs have a much smoother finish and will last much longer than designs that are heat transferred. Lastly, DTG printing’s speed and efficiency make it an ideal choice for completing large bulk orders.

While DTG printing doesn’t require transfer sheets, it does require you to pretreat your garment before printing your design. While this process is cumbersome, it is essential to the DTG process and it is easy to learn. DTG printing also can only be done on a flat surface that fits inside your DTG printer. This means that DTG can’t be used to customize materials like ceramic tiles or mugs.

DTF printing, on the other hand, doesn’t require you to pretreat your garment before customizing. Also, since you are printing your design onto a piece of transfer film instead of directly onto your substrate, DTF printing gives you the freedom to customize a wider array of materials and substrates. Finally, DTF printing allows you to stock up in bulk on pre-printed designs.

However, DTF printing requires more materials than DTG printing. And since DTF film is not reusable once a project is complete, DTF produces a lot more waste than DTG does. Compared to DTG, DTF also takes a little bit longer to customize a garment and requires a little bit more hands-on labor, making it not as conducive for bulk orders.

In terms of profitability, both DTG and DTF printing offers high-profit margins due to the relatively low material costs. While the upfront costs for a DTG printer are high, the costs to customize a t-shirt using DTG will be around $4.00 – $7.00. And because of the high demand for quality printed T–shirts, you can easily sell your t-shirts for anywhere from $25 – $40.

For DTF, the upfront cost is going to be lower than DTG. However, the cost per print is going to be relatively the same. You can also reasonably expect to charge around the same amount for a DTF printed t-shirt as a DTG printed t-shirt. However, because DTG produces a smoother finish, DTG printing might allow you to charge a bit more of a premium price than DTF.

[abdellahbirig]

may i know what work best for kinda grunge tshirt designs . DTF or DTG? and thanks

[nolimits]

Man, you don't know how grateful I am right now!

[emily-]

i recently started a job at a small business that does DTF and DTG among other things. but it's run by boomers who are not good at training so this video is very helpful! lol thank you for breaking these down in such a clear way

[MamaG_]

Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to explain the differences between the two!

[jorgevogia]

you literally could not explained that more perfectly! thank you!!!

[clarkstevens]

All my experience with direct to garment the print is lousy but with direct to film it's very well and holds up better plus you can Outsource your direct to film at a reasonable price and you don't have to have all that money in equipment so if you're a small shop Outsource go direct to film you won't be sorry

[JackSmith-udbg]

You are really good at explaining DTG VS DTF defrinces, thank you,

[erik]

Thank you for your excellent and focused analysis of the pros and cons. I am going to begin producing tee shirts based on my work, and you helped fill in a number of important gaps, which I didn't even know I had!

[PlanetGamz]

Thanks for helping me make up my mind.
I will pass on both & stick with my sublimation & vinyl.✌️

[SlickFX_TF]

Very rarely do I subscribe because someone asks me to in the intro. But the way you delivered the intro, specifically about apparel and everything you need to know and then the word "embroidery" flashed across the screen, I sub'd off that alone. Hope this is good. Just bought my first fabric to sew. I'm doing this from fabric to finish and I need awesome great quality graphics because I'm boutique, not mass. Thank you!

[AndyKow]

This is a excellent video in explaining the difference between the two printing methods and the pros and cons. Thanks for making this video!

[greatwinrue]

firstly I would like to wish you well and to say a huge thank you for uploading these videos as they have been an invaluable resource to

[cyl]

Yes. PLEASE do a more in depth DTG dive about the pre-treatment and cons

[leticiagutierrez]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Now I know what printer I’ll be getting. I was so clueless until I saw your video. Just liked follow and subscribe!!!

[aldomolina]

Industry not my cup of tea however the business owner has great information.

[jackies]

Good info! Most of my shirts are heat transferred and last a long time (4 to 5 years). Depending on the style and trend, I usually get rid of the shirts and donate them. I am always looking for the most trendy items. Any t-shirt I haven't worn for the last 2 years (DTF or DTG) will be donated.

[AvantiMorocha]

Great video, thank you for all the info.

[favzycollection]

This is a great video, Thank you so much for sharing, I just subscribed and followed you. I think i will go for DTF for my business and as business grows, I will buy the DTG. Because if you think about it DTF is cheaper than DTG and pretty much do the same thing.

[florianaamaterasu]

This video is amazing. I want to start implementing dtf with pod but I haven't tested them yet.

[FASTLIFEMEMES]

If you made it this far you gonna be successful I could of just brought a basic heat press and been done searching on YouTube never stop learning 🤓