Versatility
DTF printing excels in this area due to the usage of transfer films. The designs may be readily transferred onto substrates such as polyesters, silk, nylon, and others. Indeed, why stop there? We’ve already explained how you can stock up on printed films and use them for various purposes; put your graphics on cups, thermos flasks, and signboards – the options are endless!
DTG printing has several advantages, however it is incompatible with non-cotton-based substrates like as nylon or polyester. Cotton and cotton blends, such as canvas or hemp, perform well for DTG printing since the water-based inks are easily and permanently absorbed into the fabric. Polyester substrates offer waterproof qualities, making it difficult for inks to adhere to the substrate surface.
Print Quality
DTG printing is well-known for producing prints with a very soft hand, which many consider to be the softest of the common printing processes. Because the inks are bonded directly into the fabric and the designs are made directly from your computer, you’ll be able to create high-quality, full-color designs that stand out from the crowd.
DTG printers can handle complex designs, shading, many colors, and varied gradients. At the same time, you’re keeping the garment as breathable as possible because the inks don’t clog up the fibers.
Because DTF printers are printed on film before being heat pressed onto the fabric, the design transfers have a plastic feel to them. When you feel the print on cotton items, it has that solid, plastic-like touch. However, on some substrates, such as polyester, the print is indistinguishable from the substrate. You’ll get rid of the plasticky sensation because it feels like it’s a part of the substrate itself.
Color Vibrancy
DTG and DTF printers use the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color model, which accurately expresses colors when printed onto a tangible medium. Color vibrancy can be captured that is pleasing to the eyes, even if it is not as brilliant as screen-printed images.
Screen printing remains the industry leader because to the Pantone-matching color spectrum of its inks. As a result, screen printing can meet the requirements of corporate clients that require their corporate logo to be printed with the proper color spectrum.
Fortunately, DTG and DTF prints have excellent color mixing qualities. Because of the inks’ water-based nature and transparency, it’s quite simple to record or duplicate gradient shifts and minor details in the design. Inks can be simply blended to create stunning mixtures.
Durability
In terms of durability, we consider a print’s stretchability and washability. The first is how effectively a print returns to its original shape after being stretched by hand many times.
Printed garments that have been properly prepared and cured are quite durable for DTG printing. DTG prints often survive up to 50 washes – more if cared for properly. It should be noted that this can vary depending on the fabric and ink used. After a while, you may see scattered cracks or faded colors on different regions of the print.
Some of the aspects that can determine how resistant the prints are to stretching or other forms of wear and tear are the type of inks, the pretreatment solution, and the curing procedure. Experimenting should help you find a nice balance for the best printing results. Using the heat press a second time ensures that the inks are fixed into the substrate, increasing their longevity.
Maintenance
When deciding on a printer, one of the most crucial factors to consider is maintenance. DTG and DTF printers have maintenance cycles that are very similar. However, DTF printers benefit from using far less white ink than DTG printers; white ink is the source of many printer maintenance troubles.
In general, minimal maintenance is sufficient to keep your printers functioning smoothly. One method is to devote five minutes per day to it. A routine print head cleaning cycle or lightly shaking the ink tanks may be all that is required to keep the inks from settling and perhaps producing a printhead clog.
You may have heard that DTG printers are simple plug-and-play devices: once connected, you’re ready to go. This is deceptive because even the greatest printers require regular maintenance to perform properly. Keeping them in a clean room with adequate ventilation also aids in their optimal functioning. DTF machines follow the same rules. Different printers require different maintenance procedures, so read the handbook thoroughly before you begin.
