If you were to compare the DTF printing process to traditional printing, you would realize that there is a marked difference between them.

This work highlights the advanced technology of printing regarding exciting New and fabulous ways of printing. Another is the Direct for Film (DTF) printing, which can be said to be a pretty trending and common method and is especially popular in the textile and apparel sector. On the other hand, traditional or traditional methods of printing like screen printing/ heat transfer have existed for several years already. In the area of process, cost, quality, and applicability, this article provides a parallel comparison of DTF printing with other conventional printings to the reader.

1. The Printing Process

The main point of reference for comparison is the specifics of such techniques as DTF printing and conventional printing.

DTF Printing: That is in DTF, designs are initially printed on the film after which with the assistance of the heat transfer press the designs are transferred to the material. The design is reversed and placed on the film and then dusted with powder to form an adhesive layer and then it is laminated on the fabric with the help of heat. Used in the melting of adhesive which helps ensure that the ink binds to the material during the process.

Traditional Printing:  For example, in screen printing stencils (or screens) are employed to transfer the different colors of ink in different instances.

The major benefit of DTF is that it is a more efficient process than other methods including screen printing which needs several screens for a multicolored design. Cheap DTF printer for sale are available at the online portal of DTFLINKO. 

2. Print Quality and Detail:

Some aspects such as print quality and detail each have their advantage with the one produced through painting being clearer.

DTF Printing: It is good for doing detailed works, applicable to various colors, and designs with very tiny details. The colors are quite well defined and it pounds and can manage gradient and multi-tone shades. This makes it suitable for designs that have concepts like, fine details work, logo designing, or designs with photo-realistic effects. DTF is also characterized by a good finish and a good color density on dark fabrics.

Traditional Printing: Screen printing that is quite popular and offers high durability offers very bright and long-lasting colors. However, it has poor fine details and is not ideal for multi-color prints for it continues to muddle with the preceding ink layer’s ability to penetrate the paper even when the prints are black only if each color has its screen.

3. Cost and Setup:

Cost is another element that characterizes DTF printing, including the differentiation of the cost from other conventional techniques.

DTF Printing: DTF also has another beneficial factor which is the nature of the cost of the equipment which is relatively less as compared to other techniques of decoration. There is no screening and the production is faster especially for small productions or few production cycles. This makes DTF more apt for applications that are small orders, multiple colors and designs, or even single T-shirt production. https://www.dtflipnko.com/ can be visited to learn more about DTF printing. 

Traditional Printing: Compared with direct-to-garment, screen printing requires a longer time for design preparation and several screens. For big quantities, this method is cheaper than other techniques since the cost is done for the number of prints used. But when the orders are small or special, it may form a big bill to go for screen printing due to screens as well as screen inks. 

DTF printing becomes more economical when you order a few pieces as compared to traditional printing methods for small-scale businesses and new start-ups. 

4. Durability and Longevity:

Such aspects involve print permanency to a certain extent, especially in textiles that are most likely to be washed at one point or the other.

 DTF Printing: More often than not, DTF prints do not deteriorate, nor do they show signs of wear, cracking, and fading, however, they are printed for a few years. The kind of glue used in DTF printing makes the ink stick on the fabric tightly such that when washed, it does not fade.

Traditional Printing: It also gives you some of the most lasting forms of Prints you can come across today especially when using screen printing. The ink goes into the fabric, which is why the fabric is much harder as compared to other fabrics which are washed severally. Heat transfer prints can also last, but they may peel off or crack if the transfer or any other handling on the print or the product was not well done, or in case the product is mishandled.

5. Responsive on Fabric as Well as on Application

This indicates that compared to other conventional methods of printing the DTF can Print on more types of fabrics.

DTF Printing: DTF printing can be done in all types of fabric ranging from cotton fabric, polyester fabric, fabrics made of a blend of these two, and other man-made fabrics among others. That is the reason why it can be used for various purposes which has already been discussed above in this article. The printer also does not limit the color that you can print on the fabrics, whether they are dark or light-colored.

Traditional Printing: Batik Screen printing is perfect in the use of cotton or cotton blended materials but it can work on any other fabric depending on its pre-treatment process. As we had discussed earlier heat transfer printing is also flexible but it also has some disadvantages where it cannot stick on some fabrications like nylon or spandex material.

DTF printing is more suitable for businesses that require different materials to be used in making the print. 

6. Environmental Impact:

Sustainability is appearing as an issue of operation that is vital in the printing trade.

DTF Printing: DTF is known to generate less waste than most conventional processes like screen printing which consumes quite a lot of ink most of which is wasted in the setting up stage. Most of the materials used in DTF such as the adhesive powder and ink are used to optimum and there is negligible wastage.

Traditional Printing: Unfortunately the screen printing industry has a little bit of harmful effects on the environment because water as well as inks are used in large quantities. The process also gives out waste products of the screen, the chemicals as well as the ink that will not be used. There is also heat transfer printing that uses vinyl and this usually results in the creation of wastes that can be recycled.

In most cases, the print quality of DTF printing is that it is more eco-friendly, especially in instances where small quantity prints are required.

Conclusion:

DTF has benefits and drawbacks when used as an application as does other kinds of printing. Digital transfer printing also known as DTP printing is a rather new technique that is diverse, can create vivid images, and is less expensive than traditional methods for smaller quantities of prints. While there has been a realization of new methods of designing T-shirts such as the digital print method, screen printing has been made irrelevant because it can produce many products at once and is more durable than any of the new methods.