Our Offices will be closed Monday, May 27th for Memorial Day. Normal Hours will resume on Tuesday.

HTG Logo 1 Tablet

WHAT IS DTF AND WHY IS IT BETTER THAN DTG?

May 27, 2022

If you have ever wondered what Direct To Film (DTF) is and why it's better than Direct To Garment (DTG), then you're in luck.  I've got all the details for you here.

MATERIALS

DTG works best on 100% cotton, however DTF works on a large variety of garments, including cotton, polyester, blends, nylon and both white and dark garments. 


NO PRETREATMENT FOR DTF

If you have had DTG done in the past, you are probably familiar with the pre-treatment  that arrives on your apparel.  It can feel a little stiff and not very customer presentable.


LESS WHITE INK FOR DTF

DTF uses about 60% white versus over 200% white for DTG.  White ink is always more expensive which drives up the cost for DTG.


DURABILITY OF DTF

DTG Prints have an extremely soft hand print/feel because the ink is applied directly to the garment.  While DTF prints don't have the exact same soft hand feel that DTG does, DTF is much more durable.  DTF prints wash well, and are extremely stretchable, meaning they don't crack or peel, making them great for heavy-use items.


EASY APPLICATION

Printing onto a transfer means you can place your designs on hard to reach or awkward surfaces.  Basically, if the area can be heated, we can apply a DTF design to it! 


LITTLE WASTE

Since DTG prints directly on the apparel, one mistake with the printer and not only have you wasted the print itself, you've also wasted the entire garment.  With DTF, the mistakes when applying to the garments are very rare.  This saves the decorator money, hence saves you money!


FASTER PRODUCTION PROCESS

While it might not be feasible to print a stockpile of your most popular designs onto every size or color garment, with DTF, you can print your popular designs in advance and store them and then order the garments as needed.  This is a huge advantage over DTG. 


If you would like a sample of our DTF Prints, please reach out to your HTG Sales Rep. 


CLICK HERE to Check out DTF Pricing in our updated Pricing Guide on Page 6.


CLICK HERE to Order Sample Shirts with DTF Decoration.


CLICK HERE to Register for an Account.



BY: Bryan Nichols


By Bryan Nichols 22 Apr, 2024
Picture This: It’s a sunny Monday morning. You’re feeling good, coffee in hand, ready to tackle the week. You get a call from a big client—they want 500 custom t-shirts for an upcoming corporate event. You’ve got the perfect shade of blue in mind, the one that matches their logo perfectly. Or so you thought. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and the t-shirts arrive—only, that perfect blue looks more like a dismal gray under the sunlight. The client is not happy. Now, you’re staring down the barrel of a $5,000 reprint. Ouch!
By Bryan Nichols 22 Mar, 2024
EXPOSED! How Your Current Decorator Might Be Stealing Your Clients! Imagine this: You’ve spent months, even years, building a solid relationship with your clients, only to have them snatched away right under your nose. This nightmare scenario happens more often than you think in the world of promotional product reselling, especially when your apparel decorator plays both sides of the field. But what if the culprit behind your vanishing clients is, in fact, your current decorator?
By Bryan Nichols 11 Mar, 2024
INDUSTRY REVOLUTION! New Tools Set to Revolutionize Apparel Decoration In the ever-evolving world of apparel decoration, staying ahead of the curve is not just an advantage; it's a necessity. Today, we're thrilled to unveil a suite of groundbreaking tools designed to transform the way you experience apparel decoration - a true game-changer in the industry.
By Bryan Nichols 07 Feb, 2024
The End of an Era: Why Top Decorators Are Ditching DTG! In the ever-evolving world of apparel decoration, methods and technologies constantly compete for the top spot. For years, Direct to Garment (DTG) printing has been a go-to for many decorators. However, there's a seismic shift happening - a large number of top decorators are moving away from DTG. But why is this happening now? Let's dive into the reasons behind this significant industry change.
By Bryan Nichols 09 Jan, 2024
Is This the End of Promo T-Shirts? The Answer Will Shock You! In a world constantly chasing the next big trend, it's easy to question the staying power of any marketing tool. Promo t-shirts, once the backbone of innovative advertising campaigns, seem to be at a crossroads. But are they really fading into the background, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Let’s unravel the surprising truth about the current state and future of promo t-shirts.
By Bryan Nichols 28 Nov, 2023
Welcome to the World of Pricing Wonders! As we step into 2024, we at Hightech Grafix find ourselves at a crossroads with our pricing strategi es for appa rel decoration. It's the classic to-be-or-not-to-be scenario but with a twist: To raise or not to raise prices?
By Bryan Nichols 02 Oct, 2023
Navigating the colorful world of promotional products is kinda like a fun-filled rollercoaster. Sure, it's thrilling, but it's got its ups and downs. Especially when you're trying to hit that sweet spot between cost and value in screen print and embroidery apparel. As a distributor, you're not just slapping on a price tag; you're weaving in your expertise, style, and those nifty services! Let's dive into the good stuff:
By Bryan Nichols 15 Aug, 2023
Have you noticed that buzz in the apparel world about the next big printing method? Yep, that’s Direct To Film (DTF) printing! Transforming the tee game one vibrant design at a time, DTF is the hot topic every tee enthusiast is chatting about. Curious about this game-changer? Dive in and discover why it's becoming the go-to for innovative apparel printing!
By Bryan Nichols 14 Jul, 2023
The sweltering months of late summer can sometimes feel like a slow crawl in the cool autumn air. But in the world of promotional products, these months are far from slow. This season is full of activity and offers a fantastic opportunity for sales growth.
By Bryan Nichols 26 Jun, 2023
In the realm of screen printing, delivering a vivid, durable print isn't just about the art and the inks - it's also about the tools we use to ensure those inks look their best, even on challenging fabrics. One such secret weapon in our arsenal is the grey blocker.
By Bryan Nichols 05 Jun, 2023
Life is full of surprises. The saying, 'nobody is perfect,' couldn't ring more true, particularly in the Screen Printing & Embroidery business.
By Bryan Nichols 15 May, 2023
Delivering Gold Standard Service for Promotional Distributors in the Apparel Decorating Industry.
By Bryan Nichols 19 Apr, 2023
As a promotional product distributor, your goal is to sell as many products as possible, including screen printing and embroidery jobs.
By Bryan Nichols 06 Apr, 2023
In recent years, the emergence of various technological advancements has signaled a shift towards automated systems in the business world. With the increasing need for efficiency and accuracy, suppliers’ automation software has become a key tool in streamlining operations and optimizing productivity.
By Bryan Nichols 20 Mar, 2023
In a world where online shopping has become the norm, promotional product suppliers play a key role in representing companies and their brands. They provide an array of choices ranging from the most basic to premium brand-enhancing items.
More Posts
Share by: