29 Outubro 2021

DTF or DTG: what are the differences between these digital printing methods? and which one will best apply to your business?

Have you ever heard of DTF and DTG but are not sure exactly what these acronyms mean and what are their applications, differences and benefits when it comes to printing and digital personalization?
​Have you ever heard of DTF and DTG but are not sure exactly what these acronyms mean and what are their applications, differences and benefits when it comes to printing and digital personalization?

The Portus team explains everything to you:

DTG (direct-to-garment) and DTF (direct-to-film) are two methods used in printing for customizing textile products.

As the DTG is the best known and most used method in recent months and largely because of the pandemic, which has increased the need to create print-on-demand products, such as custom masks, the DTF method has been gaining more and more customers and supporters.

But, after all, what is DTG?

DTG means “direct to garment” which, translated into Portuguese, will mean something like “direct to the fabric”.
This is a roll pigmented Digital Printing process, made directly from the fabric's fibers and which allows the creation of several products.
As it is straightforward, DTG is a process that, before printing, necessarily has to start with a pre-treatment of the parts to be customized.
Heating the fabric before printing, so that the ink is fixed and does not stain other parts of the fabric is, therefore, essential.

 

Roland XT DTG

positive point: when printing directly on clothes, the process can be faster.
negative point: DTG allows direct printing only on cotton or natural fibers.

what is DTF?
DTF, on the other hand, is a technology that allows you to customize any textile.
No pre-treatment required, printing is not directly on fabric but on film/film (direct-to-film).
The design will then be transferred to the fabric, for example, with a press.
This is a method with a considerably lower cost and which allows, for example, to market not only the fully customized product but also just the already printed film, which can be kept with quality for several months.



Grando GD4720 

positive point: the DTF method, through the fixative powder used in the film printing, makes the printing more plastic and shiny, which gives a sensation of higher quality in the colors.
negative pont: keeping a printer in DTF mode requires regular printing, since if they are not circulating in the system, the pigments that make up this type of ink tend to clog the printer.

DTG or DTF, which solution to choose?
Despite the evidence given by DTG, the truth is that DTF printing really seems to be gaining prominence.
However, at Portus, we believe that the most important thing will not be the criticism of each of these methods, but the applications that both allow, taking into account your personalization goals.
For small scale printing, where the investment cannot be as high but you are looking for good color results, DTF may in fact be the most suitable method. DTG, on the other hand, with increasingly versatile printers, allows for faster and more flexible printing.

 

So how to choose the ideal method?
Now that you know the main differences, possibilities and limitations between the two methods, find out what to consider when choosing a customization device:

Type of material to customize
DTG can only be printed on cotton, so if your products are composed of other types of materials, the DTF solution will be the only one suitable.

Production volume
While DTG equipment is much faster than DTF, the latter allow for a lower initial investment. Analyze your business well in the medium and long term to ensure that the investment you make is the best fit for your production.

Final result
In the case of DTG, the design and inks are integrated into the fabric and are therefore more durable. However, the feel is rougher and the overall appearance less shiny.
For DTF, and since the printing is not integrated into the fabric, the sensation is of higher quality in the colors, but the product's lifespan ends up being shorter (on average, up to 50 washes).
Got a question you'd like to see clarified?
Would you like our team to present you with the most suitable equipment for your purposes?

Contact Us, without commitment.
The Portus team is specialized and available to help you find the ideal printing solution for your business.

Share

Other News

PME Lider 2022
06 Fevereiro 2023
It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce that Portus was elected PME Líder in 2022.
To know more  
The TrueVIS family is growing
06 Fevereiro 2023
Introducing the TrueVIS AP, LG and MG series from Roland DG.
The TrueVIS family is bigger. The VG3 and SG3 devices will join the new LG, MG and AP series.

All TrueVIS devices share several key features, including high print quality, broad material compatibility and fast-drying inks. In addition to these TrueVIS devices, all benefit from intuitive software such as RIP VersaWorks 6 and Roland DG Connect remote monitoring, and are fully backed by the Roland DG Care warranty.

The new printer models build on the award-winning TrueVIS heritage, adding UV printing and cutting and water-based resin ink printers to the existing eco-solvent range.
To know more  
New Artrix Pro
22 Junho 2022
Textile printing with pigment and industrial ink chemistries

To know more  
TrueVIS VG3 and SG3: the new generation of printer/cutters
01 Abril 2022
It was in early March that Roland announced the launch of the new TrueVIS VG3 and SG3 series, the next generation of TrueVIS eco-solvent inkjet large format printer/cutters.
To know more