You’ve got a design and a small run in mind. Should it be DTG or DTF? Both can handle full-color artwork without a set of screens, so we’ll want to know what it’s going on and how you want the finished piece to feel. Cotton alone doesn’t settle it.
What are you printing on?
Our DTG service uses 100% cotton apparel. DTG stands for direct to garment: ink is printed straight onto the piece. It can suit detailed artwork on a short run of cotton tees, but we’ll still look at the shirt color, design and coverage.
DTF stands for direct to film. The design is printed onto film and then heat pressed onto the garment. It gives us options across cotton, blends and polyester, including dark garments, because white ink sits behind the colors.
That doesn’t mean every fabric takes a transfer equally well. Heat, fabric finishes, seams and stretch can affect the job. Send the blank you like before choosing a method, especially if you’re mixing tees and hoodies in one order.
How much do you want to feel the print?
If a soft feel is high on your list, tell us early. DTG can feel soft, particularly with less ink coverage on a light shirt. A dark shirt often needs a white ink base, which can make the design more noticeable to the touch. It isn’t automatically a print you can’t feel.
DTF leaves a layer on the surface. You’ll generally notice that more across a large solid graphic than a small chest logo. Leaving open space in the design can change how much of the fabric is covered.
We’ll look at the artwork and garment together. Saying you want a soft shirt helps us more than picking DTG just because someone described it as having no feel.
What happens to the detail and colors?
Photos, gradients and colorful illustrations can work with either method. Neither needs a separate screen for each color, but the file still has to hold up at the size you want it printed.
Small lettering and thin lines can lose clarity, and enlarging a tiny image won’t bring the detail back. Send your best original file and tell us the intended print size. We’ll look at it on the garment you’re choosing.
If the background should show the shirt through it, make that area transparent. Soft edges and partly transparent artwork may need changes for the print method. You don’t have to fix everything before contacting us; we can explain what needs work and any design fee.
Which costs less on a small run?
There’s no minimum for either method here. A few shirts is an order we’ll quote, but neither method is always the cheaper choice just because the count is small.
The blank, print size, coverage and locations all go into the job. DTG still needs garment preparation and curing, while DTF needs the transfer produced and applied. No screens doesn’t mean no setup.
Send the count you’re considering, even if it’s a rough one. If you’re deciding between two quantities, we can price both and explain which method we’d use.
DTG and DTF at a glance
| What matters | DTG | DTF |
|---|---|---|
| Garments we use | 100% cotton apparel | Suitable cotton, blends and polyester |
| How it gets onto the garment | Ink printed directly onto the piece | A printed transfer applied with heat |
| Artwork | Full-color designs; file and fabric affect detail | Full-color designs; file and application affect detail |
| Print feel | Varies with coverage, garment color and white ink | A surface layer, more noticeable across large solid areas |
| Quantity | No minimum; an option for short cotton runs | No minimum; an option for short runs and mixed fabrics |
What if the order has different garments?
Tell us the split and where the design goes on each piece. A batch of cotton tees and polyester hoodies may suit DTF across the order, or it may make sense to use different methods. We’ll check before recommending either.
Different fabrics and print methods can make the same artwork look and feel different. If the pieces need to match closely, say so while we’re planning them.
Sleeve, hood and leg placements need checking on the actual garment too. Send the location and approximate dimensions. Seams, pockets and access for printing or pressing can limit the space.
Where screen printing fits
For a longer run with a few solid colors, we’ll also look at screen printing. The screens take work to set up, but that cost gets spread across more pieces as the count grows.
A large one-color order is a reason to start that conversation, not skip looking at the file. Our DTF vs screen printing guide covers that choice. If you’re choosing specifically between DTG and the press, read DTG vs screen printing.
Send the design and tell us what matters
A PNG or Adobe Illustrator file is a good starting point. Include the garments, count, placements and date you need the order. Tell us if feel, color matching or frequent washing matters especially to you.
We only print on blanks we supply. Name the style you want or describe the fit and budget, and we’ll help find the piece. Standard turnaround is two weeks after approval; ask early if you need a rush. You can pick up in Chatsworth or have the order shipped nationwide.
Our DTG printing and DTF printing pages cover the service details. You don’t need to pick the machine before you send us the job.
A few questions we get
Which lasts longer in the wash?
There isn’t one answer for every print. The materials, application, garment and care all matter. Tell us how the pieces will be worn and washed so we can recommend for that job. Wash cold and inside out, skip fabric softener, and follow the finished garment’s drying instructions. Our print care guide covers the details.
Can I request a special finish?
Yes, tell us the finish you have in mind. We’ll check whether we can offer it for the garment and design before including it in the quote.
Will a reorder use the same method?
It may, but tell us about any changes to the blank, quantity or design. Send the previous order details and let us know how closely the new batch needs to match. We’ll discuss any method change before production.