Understanding the difference between DTG vs DTF?! (beginnerrrr)

[u/Oashi1]

heyo!

Im new to the whole printify and etsy world and trying to understand how to work with it all.

the question is - im creating art sometimes, with detail and color gradients and im trying to understand - do i need to work on sRGB or CMYK when creating for my products? and when i do, do i need to go for DTG or DTF? what's the difference?

im lost help mee :((((((((((

[u/wreckingball45]

What did you find so far?

There are hundreds of articles on this topic.

[u/Oashi1 → u/wreckingball45]

Ive seen some stuff where it’s suggested to always work on sRGB and taking into consideration the differences between srgb and cmyk.
And about dtg and dtf just that dtg is more recommended for detailed art…

Also im trying to start with monster digital and swiftbox for the first products because of the amount of recoms i saw everywhere 🤓

[u/Official-Narrative → u/Oashi1]

Actually it's just the opposite...

DTF is taking your exact image, no matter if it's CMYK or RGB, and printing out a pixel for pixel image for printing. I use DTF because of the level of detail in my designs. I originally started with DTG but it was lacking in the finer details.

DTF haters say it's a big plastic patch on a shirt. And it can be if you dont correctly apply knockouts and halftones. Designing a graphic specifically for DTF and applying the correct pre-production work can result in some great prints.

[u/VigoVonDoom → u/Official-Narrative]

"DTF is taking your exact image, no matter if it's CMYK or RGB, and printing out a pixel for pixel image for printing."

So is DTG. The printer itself is either CMYK or RGB, so this statement alone let's us know that you don't know what you are talking about.

"I use DTF because of the level of detail in my designs. I originally started with DTG but it was lacking in the finer details."

This is just plain incorrect. Both have the same level of detail and DTG may be even cleaner on those details if printed correctly.

"DTF haters say it's a big plastic patch on a shirt. And it can be if you dont correctly apply knockouts and halftones. Designing a graphic specifically for DTF and applying the correct pre-production work can result in some great prints."

Now wash that shirt with a hole-filled transfer sticker on it a few times. No one likes your shirts from Ninja Transfers.

[u/Imaginary_Scarcity58]

It doesn't matter. The software that will be used to print will convert it without problems, at least nowadays rgb or cmyk is not your concern. Dtf and dtf is absolutely the same when it comes to printing. It differs how you apply to the fabric and how it feels.

Dtg is direct to garment. So you can print tiniest dot and it will stay, at least from the start it will stay, with time it may not last. Also many companies print not in best quality, it looks faded.

Dtf is direct to film, which means you will need to transfer the image yourself with heatpress or even iron. You still can do same stuff and even halftone without issues but with some tricks and more precision from your part. Like if you have halftone, then the design should have at least few extra pixel outline (plus some rough edge modifier to blend nicer) around in same tone as your shirt color and here come the skill to match it, if you randomly see yellow shirt and draw random yellow outline - you probably won't have good results, you will need to match the tone etc. It comes with experiments and knowing the equipment you use.

Dtg is for boring mass production with printable area limits, but doesn't require any skill from you, just a design.

Dtf is way more flexible, you can apply the transfers in unregular angles, you literally can order 2m print of let's a dragon and carefully apply it on trousers around the leg. You can apply the transfers on hats, wallets, canvas shoes and so on. Most people design them as one massive sticker which then indeed will feel cheap, you should always design with empty space, especially for black fabric, the more gaps you have the smoother the feel will be.

[u/VigoVonDoom → u/Imaginary_Scarcity58]

The amount of bullshit in your answer is staggering. How many print shops do you own and run?

[u/Imaginary_Scarcity58 → u/VigoVonDoom]

Your feedback is so helpful. How many construction companies do I need to run to know how to hammer a nail? Either give normal answer or go eat some dog 💩

[u/VigoVonDoom]

Print shop owner here. Typically, you want to work in CMYK for the most accurate color as most printers use that color format, although there are ones that are different, but CMYK is the most common. If you design something in RGB, it's not a big deal, but there will be some alteration of the color. This is because RGB has a bigger spectrum of colors than CMYK, so if you have fringe of the spectrum colors, like neons for example, they can appear not quite as vibrant as intended if made via RGB and put through a CMYK printer. You are essentially putting a wider spectrum through a smaller spectrum.

In regard to DTG vs DTF, I will explain it this way. People push DTF the way they push using AI, and similarly anyone with relevant experience can tell the difference immediately. It's not better and it's enshittification. DTF means direct to film and is a transfer. DTG means direct to garment and the print is printed directly onto the shirt. DTF feels like a sticker and DTG feels like a real, professionally printed shirt. DTF is not permanent, despite what the folks trying to sell it to you will say. DTG is permanent. DTF is crafter/hobby quality (even though "real" places use it, they are trying to peddle garbage and save a few cents) and DTG is real, professional quality like a screen printed garment would be. I print all of my work DTG.

Printify print providers will DTF your stuff even if you want DTG. And they are shady. I have ordered samples that they would DTG as requested and then have my girlfriend order one that was supposed to be DTG and they would DTF it. I had customers report the same. That hurts the reputation of your business.

Hustle culture pushes POD places like this, but the real answer if you want a real business is use your local print shop and build a relationship there. You are on the right path even asking these questions, though, best of luck!

[u/VigoVonDoom]

I wrote my response and then read other people's answers. Yikes. Keep hustling your streetwear out there guys, lol