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Printing Techniques

A detailed guide on different printing techniques and do's and don'ts when creating your items.

Updated over 2 months ago

Your designs are important, and how they're printed matters! We use different techniques that each have unique qualities. Understanding these differences helps you prepare your designs and avoid common pitfalls, so you get the best results. ✨
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Available Printing Techniques

You can see the printing techniques available for each product under the "customize" tab in your store admin. Clicking the (i) icon next to the printing technique name will display additional useful information about the technique.
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When adding a new product from the catalog, you can filter the variety by printing techniques to match your specific preferences.
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Here are the main printing techniques we use:

DTF (Direct-to-Film) 🖨️ + 🚂

DTF is a digital printing process. Designs are printed onto a special film, and then transferred to fabric using heat and pressure.

  • DTF prints are versatile and can handle complex designs.

  • It works for photos, intricate graphics, fine art, and small text, with sharp, clear, and striking results.

  • DTF printing is suitable for various fabrics, including polyester, fleece, cotton, and nylon, making it great for sportswear, outerwear, and apparel that DTG can't print on.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) 🖨️

DTG is a digital printing method where designs are applied directly onto textiles, like T-shirts and other apparel.

  • In DTG printing, digital printers spray water-based ink directly onto the garment.

  • A pre-treatment is applied to help the ink bond to the fabric. Then, the design is printed onto the garment, and the ink is cured to make the print more durable.

  • DTG printing works best with 100% cotton products for the most opaque results, as this fabric has a tight weave. However, if the cotton is too thick, it can absorb the ink, and the design may look faded.

Embroidery 🪡 🧵

Embroidery is a decorative technique where patterns or designs are stitched onto fabric using a needle and thread or yarn.

  • Embroidery adds a unique, handmade feel and texture.

  • We offer several embroidery options to bring your designs to life:

    • Standard embroidery: Up to 6 thread colors out of 15 per design.

    • Unlimited color embroidery: Thousands of color options (except neon and metallic).
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Sublimation 🚂

Sublimation is a printing technique where designs are transferred onto fabric using heat and pressure.

All About DTG vs. DTF

It's important to remember that DTG and DTF are complementary techniques, each with advantages for specific situations.

Print Quality and Durability

Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

Direct-to-Film (DTF)

Produces flexible prints that feel comfortable on thinner garments.

Produces more rigid but extremely detailed and vivid prints.

Has a slightly rough initial feel that smoothens after washing.

Is resistant to fading and cracking, except if washed in very hot water.

Is more breathable since the ink seeps into the fabric.

It is less breathable because the ink sits on top of the fabric.

Print Complexity and Color Vibrancy

Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

Direct-to-Film (DTF)

Produces vivid and versatile results.

Produces sharp, clear, and realistic results.

May appear less vibrant on dark or colorful fabrics.

Delivers vibrant colors regardless of garment color.

Is less suitable for gradients.

Creates smooth and seamless gradients.

Is great for intricate texts, logos, fine art, and photos.

Fabric Thickness, Type, and Weight

Direct-to-Garment (DTG)

Direct-to-Film (DTF)

Excellent for smooth fabrics like 100% cotton, bamboo, linen, and similar fabric blends, including comfy lightweight garments.

Excellent for all types of fabrics, including polyester, fleece, nylon, and similar fabric blends, including heavier garments and outerwear.

When to Choose DTG vs. DTF

Choose DTG printing if

Choose DTF printing if

You want to sell cotton garments or products made of other natural fabrics.

You want to sell items made of any fabric, even textured ones.

You have simple, bold designs, like text, logo, or graphic art.

You have more detailed and colorful designs, like fine art, people's faces, or photos.

Your designs cover large and solid areas of the garment.

Your designs don't cover large and solid areas of the garment.

All About Embroidery

  • Negative Space: Avoid negative spaces (empty spaces in the artwork) in your design, as this can cause problems. Fill them with another color.
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  • Neon and Metallic Colors: These colors are difficult to achieve with unlimited color embroidery.
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Embroidery Do's and Don'ts

Do's

Don'ts

  • Create solid, bold designs.

  • Avoid very small text (less than 0.25" high and 0.1" thick), as it will diminish the design quality.

  • You can have a transparent background, but fill in negative spaces with another color.

  • Avoid scaling your design to maintain line thickness.

  • Use solid colors, or choose unlimited color embroidery for gradients.

  • Don't use distressed or textured graphics, as details might be lost.

  • Remove all backgrounds to avoid exceeding 15,000 stitches.

  • Don't leave negative (empty) spaces in the design where fabric shows through, as the embroidery may distort.

  • Recreate photographic images with solid shapes and colors.

  • If you keep a solid background, the design's size will be reduced by up to 50%.

  • Use up to 10 characters per line in your side embroidery design on hats.

  • Large areas requiring tatami stitching will need to be minimized and adjusted to fit the stitch count.

  • It's not possible to embroider photographic images as they are.

  • Gradients won't work with standard embroidery, as smooth color transition isn't possible.

Tips

  • Order samples to inspect the quality, feel the texture, and showcase your products with real-life photos.
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Attachment icon
DTG vs. DTF vs. EMBROIDERY.pdf
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