DTF or DTG T-shirt printing in Singapore: which fits your job
Butter Prints runs both DTF and DTG in our own factory. Here is how they compare for T-shirts.
The short answer
DTG (direct to garment) prints ink straight into the fabric. Our printing methods page describes a soft hand feel and no minimum colour count, and lists DTG for detailed art on cotton tees.
DTF (direct to film, listed as digital transfer on our methods page) prints full colour artwork onto film, which is then heat pressed on. Our page lists it for small runs with many colours, and it handles gradients and photos well.
Neither suits every shirt. The garment and material, artwork, print size and position, and quantity decide it, so send those and we will confirm the method.
How the two processes differ
Epson's textile printing page illustrates the technical difference. In DTF, the artwork is printed onto film, coated with powder, cured, then heat pressed onto the garment. In DTG, the garment is pretreated, printed directly, then cured. That is a manufacturer's general description of the technology, not a record of our machines, settings or workflow.
On a phone, swipe sideways to compare all columns.
| Point | DTF (digital transfer) | DTG (direct to garment) |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | Artwork printed on film, powdered, cured and heat pressed on | Garment pretreated, printed directly, then cured |
| Listed on our methods page for | Small runs with many colours | Detailed art on cotton tees |
| Artwork | Full colour artwork; handles gradients and photos well | Detailed art, no minimum colour count |
| How it sits on the shirt | A printed transfer pressed onto the fabric | Ink printed into the fabric, with a soft hand feel |
| Garment | Confirm with us for your exact garment | Listed for cotton tees; confirm other fabrics with us |
Two illustrative briefs
These are made up examples, not past orders, and carry no prices.
- A small batch of cotton tees with a full colour logo that has gradients. Both could fit: our page lists DTG for detailed art on cotton tees and DTF for small runs with many colours. The tee, print size and feel you want decide it, so we confirm after seeing the artwork and garment.
- A team order on mixed fabric tees with a front crest and names on the back. DTG is listed for cotton tees, so send the exact garment and we will confirm what suits it. The crest and names may use different methods: our page lists vinyl for jersey names and numbers.
Before you ask for a quote
On a phone, swipe sideways to compare all columns.
| Field | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Garment | Model, material and colour, or the blank you picked from our T-shirts |
| Artwork | The file, ideally the original; full colour or a few flat colours; any gradients, photos or fine detail |
| Size and position | Each print position, with its width and height |
| Quantity and sizes | Total pieces and the count for each size |
| Names or numbers | Whether each shirt carries its own name or number, with the list |
| Date | When you need the shirts in hand |
Price and washing care depend on the garment and method, so ask for both on your quote. Our T-shirt artwork checklist covers files, and how to compare T-shirt printing quotes helps you line up offers. Then request a quote or pick a blank from custom T-shirts.
Sources and related reading
Sources: our printing methods page for each method, and Epson's direct to garment and DTF textile page for the general process. For DTF against vinyl, read what is heat transfer T-shirt printing.
Keep browsing
- Printing methods
- What is heat transfer T-shirt printing?
- Custom T-shirts
- T-shirt artwork checklist
- How to compare T-shirt printing quotes
- Request a quote
Sources: Reference 1 · Reference 2 · Reference 3
Order planning
DTF and DTG questions
Send one complete specification so the quote covers the order you need.
Is DTF or DTG better for a small T-shirt order?
Both can suit small runs. Our methods page lists DTF for small runs with many colours and DTG for detailed art on cotton tees. Send the garment, artwork and quantity and we will confirm.
Does a DTG print feel soft?
Our methods page describes DTG as ink printed into the fabric with a soft hand feel. The finished feel also depends on the garment and artwork, so ask about your exact shirt.
Can I use DTF or DTG on polyester or mixed fabric shirts?
We do not give one rule for every fabric. Our methods page lists DTG for cotton tees and dye sublimation for all over prints on drifit. Send the exact garment and we will confirm which method suits it.
Which is cheaper, DTF or DTG?
It depends on the job. Garment, print size, positions, colours and quantity all affect the price, so we quote for your actual brief rather than give a general figure.
Choosing a method for your T-shirts?
Send your garment, quantity, print positions and artwork for an order-specific quote.