Direct-to-Film Printing (DTF)
Direct-to-film printing, or DTF, is one of the best t-shirt printing techniques and involves transferring designs from a special PET film to t-shirts using adhesive powder and heat. DTF doesn’t require garment pretreatment since the design is pre-printed on film.
This method works on various fabrics, including polyester and cotton, offering vibrant results. DTF does leave a slight plasticky and shiny finish due to the fixing powder, yet it enhances color vibrancy without affecting the shirt’s base color.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a great way to add embellishment that lasts. Embroidered logos have a more sophisticated look compared to what can be achieved with vinyl printing or Direct-to-film.
With embroidery, you need to follow strict design requirements, as the designs are made with a embroidery machine. The color variations are limited, as is the print area. However, embroidery will last longer than any other printing method.
Vinyl Heat Transfers
Vinyl heat stamping involves cutting designs from sheets of colored vinyl and then heat-pressing them onto the fabric using a heat transfer machine. This method offers a limited range of color options and works best for simpler designs. Vinyl heat stamping is particularly well-suited for small production runs and is commonly used for customizing garments such as t-shirts, hoodies, and bags.
