What is Direct-to-film (DTFx) printing?
Direct-to-film printing is a new printing technique that mixes the benefits of both Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and Screen printing. The actual printing method is where an image is printed on a film using water-based inks and transferred onto fabric using a heat press mechanism. This results in a vibrant and long-lasting print that can be used on all types of fabrics, from mixed cotton to polyester items.
WHAT DOES DTFX MEAN?
DTFx and DTF are two of the most commonly used acronyms for direct-to-film printing. There are other terms used to describe this printing method, such as direct to film, DTG transfer, and more. Here at Fourthwall, we call it DTFx! But for the purpose of this article, we will use DTF.
WHAT PRODUCTS CAN BE CUSTOMIZED WITH DTF PRINTING?
DTF is a very versatile printing method that can be used to print on many different garment types and styles. It is suitable for textiles such as cotton, nylon, polyester, blends, and many more fabrics. It can also print on both light and dark fabrics. Some great examples of products to customize or brand using DTF are hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags, sweatpants, and t-shirts, to name a few.
IS DTF PRINTING THE SAME AS HEAT PRINTING?
Although they follow very similar printing processes, DTF and heat printing are not the same. With DTF, a design is printed into a very thin PET film using water-based inks, which is then heated and pressed into the garment for printing. Allowing for full-color prints to shine. With heat printing, vinyl film is cut in the shape of the design and then adhered to the garment by heat pressing. Limiting the colors and designs that can be done with heat pressing.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DTF AND DTG PRINTING?
While DTF and DTG printing may seem quite similar, they have significant differences that will depend on what you are printing, the garment you are customizing, and what look you want to achieve. Let’s go through some of them:
- Quality - DTF print quality is excellent due to the vibrancy of the colors regardless of light or darker garments. Although the print has a plastic feel, it wears off after a few washes. With DTG, you also get good quality printing, but the outcome can be impacted by the garment colors with prints, resulting in amazing print quality on lighter garments and less vibrancy when printing on darker garments. Additionally, because DTG is printing directly into the garment and it gets absorbed by the fabric, it will have a smoother feel to the touch, especially after a few washes.
- Durability - DTF prints are resistant to cracking and can handle heavy use and up to lukewarm washes without issues. This ensures the longevity of the print, keeping vibrant colors for many washes. With DTG, the print also lasts, especially when following the proper care instructions; however, with heavy use, the colors will start to fade a bit compared to DTF, where it keeps the vibrancy.
- Design complexity - DTF supports printing more complex designs than DTG printing. DTF supports detailed, full-color designs, fine art, small text, and more while keeping sharp and vibrant print results. With DTG, because the fabric soaks up the ink, it is more challenging to print small text and detailed, fine art without affecting the clarity of the design.
- Print vibrancy - both DTF and DTG printing use the CMYK color model to print designs, and they both require a white ink base, although, for DTG, this base is not required for white fabrics. However, because DTG is printed directly onto the garment and the fabric absorbs the ink, the prints may not be as bright or vivid as it is with DTF printing.
BENEFITS OF DTF PRINTING
- High-quality printing results - DTF can print designs with the color vibrancy of screen printing and the full-color capabilities of DTG printing.
- Printing materials capabilities - DTF can be applied to a wide range of garment fabrics, including cotton, nylon, treated leather, polyester, 50/50 blends, and more.
- Durability - DTF prints are smooth and elastic, ensuring longevity even after many washes.
- Low to no minimums - Most print shops will customize products using DTF printing without requiring minimum quantities or with low minimums. DTF is also a print method available for print-on-demand (POD) providers with products like hoodies, t-shirts, and hats.
LIMITATIONS OF DTF PRINTING
- Block designs - large prints where it’s a block design do not come out as nicely as with DTG printing. This is because, in large block-style designs, the film feel of DTF printing is more prominent.
- Gradient printing - Because DTF requires a white base under the design, gradient printing is more challenging to print, and the color transparency might not print as expected. This is a similar issue found with DTG printing, as they both share the same requirement of needing a white base.
