The DTG & DTFColumn
The dynamic duo – How DTF and DTG printing together will revolutionise your print business
DTF and DTG are not an either/ or for your business. Both printing processes complement each other by providing versatility, flexibility, and efficiency in your textile production. Director at Amaya Sales UK, Charlotte Darling, explains further.
H
ere’s a guide on how DTF and DTG work together and why you will benefit from having both technologies in your business:
1) Versatility in printing options DTG printing is ideal for printing directly onto garments, especially cotton and cotton blends. It excels in producing high quality, detailed prints with a soft to touch handle.
DTF printing allows you to print onto a wider variety of fabrics, including polyester, nylon, and other synthetic materials.
2) Flexibility in design and application • Complex designs – DTG is perfect for intricate, multi-coloured designs with fine detail, gradients, fade effects, things that even screen print can’t cope with.
• Application versatility – DTF prints are durable and can be applied to a range of garment types, include those that are difficult to print onto like caps, bags and shoes.
3) Effectiveness for different size orders DTG wins hands-down for short run on-demand production with no set up cost and one shirt can be completed in minutes. Fulfillers working with a wide customer base, who print what they sell, will always choose DTG over DTF for cotton production.
DTF may work better for speciality products and an order which is bulk but across five or six different products.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
4) Enhanced production capabilities DTG allows for on-demand printing, reducing the need for large inventories and enabling quick turnaround times for custom orders.
DTF stock transfers work well for repeat business, like a club logo, where you know the contract is ongoing and the same design will be ordered over and over again. The stock transfer can be produced in one batch and then applied to the garment as needed, meaning you stock transfers but not a range of garment types in sizes and colours.
5) Sustainability
Both DTG and DTF printing tick the box for reduced harmful waste in comparison to traditional textile printing methods like screen print. The inks are eco-friendly water-based inks which are safe for the environment and end user.
After this point DTG tops DTF on the green front as there is no carrier film, but we are starting to see the beginnings of paper as a carrier rather than film, which when perfected will, I’m sure, become recyclable and put an end to this argument against DTF.
Why your business needs both By incorporating both DTG and DTF printing your business can offer a more comprehensive range of garment decoration services catering to your various customer needs and preferences giving you the edge over your competition and allowing you to say yes to more orders.
The combination will also allow you to
streamline your production, adapting it to different order sizes and types. Don’t ask the customer what process they want, they don’t know! You are the expert, and you can choose what delivers the best quality end garment, at the best profit margin for you, within the parameters the customer has asked for.
Example, customer wants a high-quality fashion T shirt, quality like a Stanley/Stella printed with their own creative artwork to be sold online. Quality shirt needs a quality feeling print, so only consider DTG, don’t confuse them with DTF as an option. And likewise, if a customer is wanting a small print high on the back neck of a polo shirt, don’t give yourself the headache of pre-treating this area and positioning on the platen, a DTF transfer will be faster and easier to apply.
Depending on the size of your organisation, DTG and DTF equipment come in all sizes. Hybrid machines are a great option as one piece of machinery will allow you to run DTG production and make a quick switch in the software and it will produce transfers for you in no time.
As volumes increase and you have the need for larger production of both methods the hybrid DTG printers can be left to run DTG and then you can invest in DTF machinery to suit your volume. Look for a brand that offers good support back up and warranty. By leveraging both technologies, your business can meet diverse customer demands, enhance production capabilities, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
March 2025 | 65 |
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
