Garment print method guide

DTF, DTG, screen print or sublimation—which fits the job?

No method wins every brief. The useful choice depends on the garment, artwork, quantity, finish and who will handle the final production step.

Explore DTF gang sheets Learn how DTF works

The useful question

What does this job need?

Method names describe how decoration reaches the garment. They do not tell you whether the result fits a particular brief.

Start with fabric and garment colour, then consider artwork, quantity, setup and whether you need a finished garment or a transfer you can press yourself.

Side-by-side

Compare the production trade-offs.

This is a practical starting point. Final suitability still depends on the specific garment, artwork and production setup.

Factor	DTF	DTP	DTG	Screen print	Sublimation
How it reaches the garment	Printed transfer applied with heat	Printed transfer on a paper carrier, applied with heat	Ink printed directly onto the garment	Ink pushed through prepared mesh screens	Dye transferred into a suitable polyester surface
Material fit	Useful across varied compatible fabrics; test unfamiliar garments	A transfer, like DTF; test unfamiliar garments on your press	Often selected for suitable cotton-rich garments; pretreatment matters	Broad potential depending on ink system and garment	Designed for suitable polyester and coated substrates
Garment colour	Colour and white backing support light or dark garments	The same colour and white-backed build as DTF	Light and dark garments are possible with the right setup	Light and dark garments are possible with the right ink setup	Best suited to white or light surfaces; garment colour affects the image
Artwork character	Detailed colour, fine elements and several designs on one sheet	The same artwork file as DTF, on one gang sheet	Detailed, photographic and full-colour artwork	Strong spot colour and repeat designs; each colour affects setup	Detailed colour and all-over artwork on suitable products
Quantity pattern	Flexible for one-offs, mixed designs and changing quantities	Same gang sheet ordering: 1–5 m in 10 cm steps	Useful for one-offs and smaller varied runs	Setup becomes more efficient across repeat volume	Useful for personalised or repeated suitable polyester products
Main watch-out	Press settings, pressure, peel and garment testing matter	Presses cooler than DTF; set your press and test first	Garment and pretreatment compatibility affect production	Screen and colour setup can be inefficient for highly varied small jobs	Limited fit for dark garments and many non-polyester fabrics

Method profiles

Five different ways to solve the brief.

01 / TRANSFER

DTF

Artwork is printed onto film with white ink and adhesive, then applied to the garment using heat and pressure.

Strong when: You need detailed colour, mixed designs or transfers to press as required.
Consider: The source file and application process still control the final result.

02 / TRANSFER · PAPER

DTP

The DTF process on a paper carrier instead of PET film: printed, powdered, cured, then applied with heat and pressure.

Strong when: You want the transfer workflow with a paper carrier and a cooler press.
Consider: Start from our workshop reference settings and adjust to suit your press and fabric.

03 / DIRECT

DTG

A specialised printer applies ink directly to a suitable garment, usually with a pretreatment and curing workflow.

Strong when: Detailed or photographic artwork is going onto suitable garments in smaller or varied runs.
Consider: Garment composition, colour and pretreatment are part of the production decision.

04 / STENCIL

Screen print

Ink passes through a prepared mesh screen onto the garment. Separate colours generally add their own setup requirements.

Strong when: A repeat design, controlled colour count and larger run justify the setup.
Consider: Frequent artwork changes or many colours increase production complexity.

05 / DYE

Sublimation

Heat turns printed dye into a gas that bonds with a suitable polyester or coated surface.

Strong when: Light polyester products need detailed colour or broad print coverage.
Consider: Dark garment colour and many natural fibres limit the method's fit.

Choose methodically

Answer these five questions before choosing.

01
What is the garment made from? Fabric composition can rule a method in or out before artwork enters the discussion.
02
Is the garment light or dark? Some methods need a white backing or have limits on how colour appears.
03
How complex is the artwork? Colour count, fine details, photographic effects and design variation all change the production fit.
04
How many identical pieces are needed? Repeat volume can justify setup that makes less sense for one-offs or mixed designs.
05
Who will finish the garment? DTF lets you order transfers and press them yourself; other paths may be produced directly on the garment.