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Direct to Garment vs Direct to Film Printing:

When it comes to printing garments, there are a many different methods, but two of the most popular are direct to garment and direct to film transfers.

Overview

Direct to Garment is known for its benefits of fast, on demand printing, accommodating low quantities and high photorealistic images by printing images directly onto the shirt. Direct to film is a similar process, instead printing ink onto a film, and then printing it onto the shirt through heat transfer. 

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We will compare these two in terms of:

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  • Efficiency

  • Flexibility

  • Cost-efficiency

  • Versatility

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Efficiency:

Direct to Garment

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DTG methods includes the process of pre-treatment, which can take up a large amount of time. This step can also sometimes result in a discoloration of the garment if not done properly, resulting in the shirt being misprinted. 

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Direct to Film

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DTF avoids this step, allowing for quicker production of mass prints, as well as decreased margin for error in the production process. â€‹

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Flexibility:

Direct to Garment

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Both direct to garment and direct to film allow for on-demand, high resolution printing that gives you the opportunity to print without high overheard costs. However, direct to garment cannot print onto silk, nylon, polyester, or spandex

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Direct to Film

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Direct to film has similar print-on-demand capabilities, with the additional capabilities of printing directly onto almost any type of fabric.

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Cost-Efficiency:

Direct to Garment:

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DTG is an extremely cost efficient process when compared to screen printing, with no startup costs, and per-unit prices of around $11-$12 per shirt. This makes it optimal for those who are looking to transfer their design onto a shirt at a cheap price, with no work.

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Direct to Film

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DTF offers the capability buyers the option to purchase finished shirts, printed onto transfer sheets and transferred onto shirts, or entire sheets of direct to film with their own design, which they can then transfer onto their garment themselves. This can be done at home, with the use of a heat press or an iron. This is a great option for those who are just beginning with producing their own shirts. 

Cost-Efficiency:

Direct to Garment:

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DTG is an extremely cost efficient process when compared to screen printing, with no startup costs, and per-unit prices of around $11-$12 per shirt. This makes it optimal for those who are looking to transfer their design onto a shirt at a cheap price, with no work.

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Direct to Film

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DTF offers the capability buyers the option to purchase finished shirts, printed onto transfer sheets and transferred onto shirts, or entire sheets of direct to film with their own design, which they can then transfer onto their garment themselves. This can be done at home, with the use of a heat press or an iron. This is a great option for those who are just beginning with producing their own shirts. 

Versatility:

Direct to Garment:

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DTG can print extremely realistic designs, including shadows, and 3D aspects of images. It is limited in where it can print, with inabilities to print on ridges, or collars.

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Direct to Film

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Direct to Film can print on many different surfaces, including hats, mugs, curved surfaces, and all textures. However, details and capabilities such as 3D and shadows cannot be achieved with direct to film transfer technology.

Key Takeaways:

Direct to Garment:

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  • On-demand printing​

  • High definition images

  • Prints 3D and Shadow

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  • Limited to flat surfaces

  • Limited to cotton/cotton blends

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Direct to Film

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  • On-demand printing

  • High definition images

  • Prints on any surface

  • Prints on any garment type

  • Ability to start printing at home

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  • Cannot print 3D or shadows

Both methods have benefits and downsides. Before making a decision, do your research and speak to someone knowledgable about which method is best for YOUR print. 

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