DTG/DTF
Welcome to Theory Threads, your premier destination for custom DTG (Direct-to-Garment), DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing on the West Coast of Florida. We specialize in producing high-quality printed garments for businesses, retailers, non-profits, teams, and bands. Whether you’re looking to elevate your brand, outfit your group, or create unique promotional items, our dedicated team brings your vision to life with creativity and precision.
Direct to Garment Printing vs Direct to Film Printing - What's Best?
The Major Differences Between DTF and DTG
Quality
Printing both directly on film and directly onto garments gives you a lot of quality options, but each method has its benefits and drawbacks.
There are two main printing methods available: direct-to-garment printing and direct-to-film printing. Direct-to-garment (DTG) is a newer method of screen printing which uses a printer to apply the ink to the shirt and which has been around for quite some time. In fact, DTG has remained virtually unchanged since its inception.
If you are printing on a white garment, DTG is going to be more flexible and easy since it does not require a pretreatment process.
One of its biggest drawbacks, however, is that DTG printing can’t produce high quality color on silk or polyester garments or those with a small number of colors in their design and requires special garment pretreatment beforehand.
This, on the other hand, is one of the advantages of Direct to Film (DTF) printing. It allows you to work with any type of fabric, such as nylon, rayon, polyester, spandex, cotton etc. The higher quality of direct-to-film printing is more ideal for large companies and national brands, who may be interested in larger print runs. However, DTF cannot print images that have effects such as fade away, flames, shadows, or 3D. When it comes to hand feel, DTG is distinctly superior compared to DTF.
Flexibility
T-shirt printing was once pretty difficult and expensive. Screen Printing, the most common type of t-shirt printing, can have high initial fees upon set up and it can be costly when it comes to oversized prints using multiple colors on various locations. However, if you take it to another level, the business opportunity could explode for yourself and your company because now we can put designs on clothes at will without having to stock preprints.
In terms of manufacturing t-shirts, Made-To-Order is what people want these days—even from small mom-and-pop shops. People don't want to pay a high price for something they're never going to wear again because it's out of fashion! With DTF Heat Transfer Printing Technology, designers can make one or two runways per month with ease at a much lower cost. T-shirt printing gets more flexible when combined with DTF. Considering the variety of fabrics you can print on, DTF can be impressive.
Efficiency
In the pretreatment process of DTG, it might discolor some colors of apparels such as reds, oranges, red, and browns. It might happen when directly applying the pretreat on the garment or when heat pressing to cure the pretreat on the shirt. Whereas with DTF, there is no need to use any pretreat at all since the printing is done directly onto a film.
With DTF, the color is printed first with white on top. After, you coat it with an adhesive powder. When it's cured and ready for application, then you can put it directly onto the apparel, heat press it, and the image is transferred to the apparel. It can save you more time and it costs less because there is no need to pay for the pretreat itself or for someone to do the pretreat process…
Versatility
When versatility matters, DTF is the printer for you.
DTG printing is already known for its versatility and customization, but DTF printing does more! Since there are some materials not entirely suitable for DTG printing such as polyester or polyblends, you can work with DTF printers instead. You can print your transfers in any size or shape and then press them when required. You can also promote your transfers as they are and ship them to your clients without difficulty. DTF transfers can be used on anything from shirts to wallets and everything in between-can your DTG printer print on luggage just as well! Versatility
When versatility matters, DTF is the printer for you.
DTG printing is already known for its versatility and customization, but DTF printing does more! Since there are some materials not entirely suitable for DTG printing such as polyester or polyblends, you can work with DTF printers instead. You can print your transfers in any size or shape and then press them when required. You can also promote your transfers as they are and ship them to your clients without difficulty. DTF transfers can be used on anything from shirts to wallets and everything in between-can your DTG printer print on luggage just as well!
Superior Quality and Durability
Our DTG/DTF printing services utilize cutting-edge technology and high-quality inks to produce crisp, vibrant designs that last. Unlike traditional methods, DTF printing allows for intricate details and a wide range of colors to be transferred directly onto the fabric, resulting in a durable finish that withstands regular washing and wear. Your prints will retain their brightness and integrity, no matter how often they’re worn.
Professional and Versatile Look
DTG/DTF printing provides a smooth, high-definition finish that enhances the visual appeal of any apparel or item. This method offers a professional and polished look that’s perfect for corporate uniforms, team gear, and promotional items. Our DTF printing ensures that your brand is represented with precision and style.
Wide Range of Applicable Products
We offer versatile DTG/DTF printing services that can be applied to various products. Whether you need custom prints for t-shirts, hoodies, hats, or even unique promotional items like bags and jackets, we have the expertise to deliver outstanding results. Our versatility ensures consistent and vibrant branding across all your materials.
Customized Solutions
We recognize that every brand is unique, and so are your printing needs. Our team works closely with you to customize your design, offering a variety of ink colors, finishes, and placements. We pay meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that the final product accurately reflects your brand identity.
Cost-Effective for Smaller Orders
DTF/DTF printing is an economical choice for smaller orders, especially when it comes to complex designs or multicolored prints. We offer transparent pricing and strive to provide the best value without compromising on quality.