Printing Guide: Avoiding Common Design Issues with DTG and DTF Printing

To ensure the highest print quality and avoid production issues, it’s important to understand the limitations of both DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing methods.

What are DTF and DTG Printing?

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is a process that prints designs directly onto fabric using specialized technology. It’s ideal for detailed, high-quality prints on cotton fabrics. However, DTG has limitations in reproducing certain colors, like neon shades, due to its CMYK color model.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing transfers designs onto a special film before applying them to fabric. It works well with a wider range of materials but cannot print certain effects, such as gradients or semi-transparent textures.

Key Differences:

• Application: DTG prints directly on fabric; DTF transfers designs from film to fabric.

• Design Limitations: DTG struggles with bright colors, while DTF cannot handle gradients or fine lines.

Note: Refunds are not provided for production failures due to unqualified print files, so it's important to follow printing guidelines when designing your apparel.

DTG Printing Guidelines

• Color Accuracy: DTG uses CMYK, meaning some RGB colors, especially neon shades like cyan and green, will not print accurately. Always use CMYK colors for reliable results.
• Color Variation: If you don't use CMYK colors, your final product may differ slightly from the colors on your screen. 

DTF Printing Guidelines

DTF has stricter limitations for certain design elements. To prevent issues:

• No Semi-Transparent Textures: DTF cannot print semi-transparent gradients or smoke effects, but halftone textures are acceptable. 

• Line Thickness: Avoid lines thinner than 3mm, as they may not print clearly. 

• Resolution: Ensure your image resolution is at least 150 DPI.

Important for Both Methods

• Background Colors: If your design includes a background color that you don’t want printed, make sure to remove it before uploading your design. Failure to do so will result in the background being printed on your garment. Add in full quality version of this image:

Note: Refunds are not provided for production failures due to unqualified print files.