Unless you have been completely out of the loop, you and all garment printers would know that Direct to Garment (DTG) printing and Direct to Film (DTF) printing technologies has sparked a breakthrough in the garment printing industry. As these innovative printing methods surge in popularity, businesses have more options to choose from when choosing which printing method they would want to leverage for their print shops. The decision between DTG and DTF doesn’t just influence the quality of prints; it’s a strategic choice that can dramatically reshape operational efficiency, cost structure, output quality and ultimately a print shop’s business model.
Where precision and profitability go hand in hand, selecting the right printing technology is not just a technical decision—it’s a cornerstone of your business’s competitive edge and success. In this article, we will explore deeper into the costs of DTG and DTF solutions, and discover which technology will not only meet but exceed your printing ambitions.
Understanding the Technology of Both Methods
What is Direct to Garment Printing?
Starting with DTG printing technology, it stands out for its sophisticated integration of automation and efficiency. The DTG process begins with the pretreatment of shirts using a specialized machine that prepares the fabric for ink application, ensuring vibrant and long-lasting prints.
- This pre-treatment process can also be done manually, though it will be more time consuming. Another solution is to buy pre-treated blank garments for efficiency. Of course, it will cost more too.
- With just one operator at the helm, two of these powerful machines are managed sequentially, a setup that significantly streamlines the whole process.
- This will minimise manual labor per shirt and also maximises output, making it an ideal solution for large-scale orders that demand both quality and quantity.
What is Direct to Film Printing?
DTF printing on the other hand, presents a different set of challenges and opportunities in handling large orders.
- The core of the DTF process involves a heat press, which is pivotal for transferring the print from film to fabric. This step requires manual operation, which introduces a layer of complexity and potential for human error.
- This manual aspect can lead to inconsistencies and a higher error rate, thus potentially increasing overall costs and affecting the efficiency of production.
- For businesses focusing on large-scale outputs, these factors must be carefully considered to maintain a balance between cost-effectiveness and the high quality of the final product.
Which is why we want to clearly state that when choosing your print shop’s ideal printing solution, apart from setting your budget and also business model, the main factor to take into consideration is the printing volume that you plan to achieve.
When it comes to weighing volume as a factor, we’ll lay it loud and clear, larger volume calls for DTG, a smaller volume, we would advise for DTF printing.
Let’s look into a more detailed distinguishment between the two printing methods.
DTG Printing vs DTF Printing
| Pros and Cons | DTG | DTF |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer films | Does not need transfer films | Need transfer films |
| Print Quality | Feels less like a print and more like part of the fabric. | Print that feels artificial and mimics a plastic like finish. |
| Color Vibrancy | Needs RIP software to ensure colour optimisation | Needs RIP software to ensure colour optimisation |
| Pre-treatment | Requires pre-treatment process, which means you will need an extra step before printing. | No pre-treatment is necessary |
| Versatility | Only flat surface printing and as the name suggests: only garments. | Can print on different types of surfaces, and more than just garments such as mugs, metals, wood. |
| Business model | Limited to custom print garments only | Wide variety. You can print on promotional items, clothes, and also even sell gang sheets, as we discussed in our previous article. |
| Size | Compact size | Make sure your space requirement is adequate |
| Supplies | Uses more white ink for darker garments | Requires adhesive powder |
After evaluating the pros and cons of each printing solution, understanding the financial implications—both initial and ongoing—is also extremely crucial. Here’s a detailed look at the costs associated with purchasing and installing DTG and DTF equipment, as well as the breakdown of their running costs.
| Cost Category | DTG Printing | DTF Printing |
| Initial Printer Purchase | $13,000 to $25,000 for standard models like Epson F2000; $8,000 for entry-level | DTF Pro P600 starts from $3,000 to $7,000. Cheaper options: $600 to $2,000 for converted desktop printers |
| Additional Equipment | Pre-treatment machine, heat press, RIP software | Heat press only |
| Consumables | Ink, pre-treatment solution, media | Ink, transfer films |
| Total Initial Investment | Up to $25,000 or more; $12,000 for entry-level setups | Up to $5,000 including printer, heat press, consumables |
| Maintenance & Other Costs | Higher due to more complex equipment and consumables | Potentially lower, but converted printers may require more maintenance |
Setting up a DTG printing operation may require professional installation and training services, adding to the initial costs. These services ensure that the equipment operates efficiently and staff are trained to handle the machinery correctly.
In terms of installation, DTF setups on the contrary, are typically much simpler and less costly. The technology is more straightforward, and many users can set up the equipment with minimal professional help.
In-Depth Cost Analysis Between DTG and DTF Printing Solutions
First and foremost, before we go any deeper, we need to calculate the price per shirt for each type of printing solutions. These numbers are a rough estimation and might vary according to your suppliers.
Price per shirt for DTG printing
To calculate the selling price for your DTG printed garment, for example in this case, a T-shirt, you will need to know how much you aim to make per hour, and how much you can print in this 60 minutes.
For example, printing on light coloured blanks might take you only 5 minutes per shirt, while darker blanks will take double the time. This means that you can print 12 light coloured shirts, and 6 darker coloured ones in 60 minutes.
Now, assume that you aim to target a $80 profit per hour, you will need a $6.67 profit per light coloured shirt. So how much should you sell it for? It’s simple math, really.
| Cost Per Shirt | Own DTG Printer |
|---|---|
| Blank T-shirt | $3.60 |
| Maintainence | $0.25 |
| Equipment | $1.15 |
| Materials (Inks, Pre-treatment) | $3 |
| TOTAL COST | $8.00 |
| Profit Per Shirt (Profit Per Hour/Shirts Per Hour) | $6.67 |
| Selling Price | $14.67 |
Price per shirt for DTF printing
| Cost Per Shirt | Outsource Gangsheet | Own DTF Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Blank T-shirt | $3.60 | $3.60 |
| Maintainence | $0.25 | $0.25 |
| Equipment | $1.15 | $1.15 |
| Transfer films (1.42 sqft) | $7.97 | $2.70 |
| TOTAL COST | $12.97 | $7.70 |
| Markup % | 20 | 40 |
| Selling Price | $15.56 | $10.78 |
Take a magnifying glass and look explicitly at the selling price per shirt.
| Print Method | DTG Printing | DTF Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Price Per Shirt | $14.67 | $10.78 |
Looking at these numbers, when you plan to purchase your own machine while being a small scale print shop, there is really no reason to get a DTG printing machine that would cost so much more than a DTF printer. Selling prices would be high, and It is only when you start to make big numbers that DTG printing will start to make sense.
Lets deep dive into the overall cost analysis between the two printing methods to understand this better. Assume that a small run business outputs 4500 shirts per month, and a larger business outputs 15,000 shirts per month.
| Factors | DTG Small Run (Based on 4500 shirts/month) | DTG Large Run (Based on 15,000 shirts/month) | DTF Small Run (Based on 4500 shirts/month | DTF Large Run (Based on 15,000 shirts/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printer Used in Modelling | Brother GTX Pro | Kornit Atlas | DTF Pro P6000 | DTF Pro MAXi |
| Initial Investment | High (e.g., $20,000+) | Very High (e.g., $200,000+ for Kornit) | Moderate (e.g., $5,000) | High (e.g., $16,000) |
| Labor Cost | Moderate (ink, maintenance, labor for pretreatment) | High (due to volume but efficient per shirt) | Low (ink, minimal maintenance, labor for heat press) | High (labor-intensive for heat press) |
| Running Cost (Ink/price per print wise) | High | Lower | High | Lower |
| Revenue | $66,015 | $220,050 | $48,510 | $161,700 |
| Profit | $30,015 | $100,050 | $13,860 | $46,200 |
| Payback Period | Approximately 1.5 years | Approximately 1 year | Approximately 2 years | Approximately 2 years |
If you consider these factors alone, sure, it does seem like DTF is a no brainer for startups, or if you are planing to scale. But, is that the case at all?
While DTF might offer a lower barrier to entry in terms of initial costs, DTG could potentially offer a lower cost per unit at higher volumes due to the efficiencies it offers in production. Each business will need to evaluate its specific needs, anticipated print volume, and budget to decide which technology provides the best return on investment. Now, when does it not stand to reason to go for DTF printing? Again, it all goes back to your volume.
When your print volume is higher, it makes much more sense to opt for DTG printing. DTF is cheaper in many ways, however, for bigger volumes, the return of investment does not really hold water when compared to DTG.
When you look at the table above, printing 15,000 shirts per month gets you a $100,000 revenue, while DTF only gets you half of that. You will need double the amount of time to get your money’s worth.
White Ink and Why it Matters
With that being said, you will need to also take white ink costs into your financial outline, should you decide to go with DTG printing. Because the question of will it affect your budget plans? Yes, indeed it will. DTG requires a lot of white ink, especially when printing on dark garments, and as mentioned before, it will also need double the time compared to printing on light coloured blanks. This white ink issue is not heavily applicable on DTF.
Both DTF and DTG have distinct requirements regarding ink usage, particularly white ink. Here’s why DTF printing generally does not need white ink while DTG often relies heavily on it:
- DTG: The process requires a lot of white ink because each new garment needs its own direct application of the white underbase for the design to be visible.
- DTF: White ink is still used but in a more controlled and perhaps efficient manner, as it is applied over the colors on a transfer film and not directly onto the fabric. This can be more economically efficient in terms of ink usage per garment.
While DTF printing does use a lot of white ink, it is applied as a backing layer to color prints on transfer films, not as an underbase directly on the fabric as seen in DTG. This difference in application results in varied ink usage and needs between the two methods.
If you’re still on the fence as to which printing solution might be better for your print shop, this might help with making an informed decision as you will need to spend an extra thousand per month for white ink only if you choose to opt for DTG printing.
Scaling Up with DTG and DTF
Now, staying ahead means not just keeping up with current trends but scaling your operations seamlessly to meet growing demand. Both DTG and DTF technologies offer exciting possibilities and challenges in the market.
Imagine expanding your print shop without a hitch. DTG makes this possible. Known for its superb quality, DTG can grow as your business does. The key hurdle? The pre-treatment process. It’s a bit of a manual hassle but fear not—modern advancements in pre-treatment machines are setting the stage for an automated revolution, smoothing out this kink and allowing your DTG operations to flourish.
But, if you plan to start small, dream big — DTF is perfect for those kicking off with tighter budgets, as you have the option to outsource gangsheets first while saving up to purchase your own DTF machine. Scaling up is as simple as adding more printers and heat presses. But watch out for the manual heat pressing—as it can bottleneck your flow. The solution? Leap towards automation with advanced heat presses that transform this potential snag into streamlined productivity, propelling your business forward.
Choosing the Right Print Solution for Your Print Shop
The right printing technology—whether DTG or DTF—should be a strategic decision tailored to your business’s specific needs. If your focus is on custom orders with high detail and quality, DTG is the way to go. Consider investing in models like the Epson F2100 or the Brother GTX, known for their reliability and high-quality outputs. For businesses geared towards bulk production with a need for cost efficiency, DTF can be more advantageous. Look into the DTF Pro P600 for a budget-friendly entry point that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Planning out your business model before purchasing your equipment is extremely vital. Ask yourselves these important questions:
- “What kind of business model is my shop going to carry out?”
If you plan to do garments, and garments alone, DTG is the way to fly high. But if you want to print on more than just clothes, you will need to consider DTF as it allows printing on more than garments.
- “Do I want to sell gangsheets?”
If the answer is yes, then obviously you will need a DTF machine and that will be the way to go. If you do not plan to expand this line of business, you can still consider DTG printing.
- “How much volume is my print shop going to handle in the coming year, and what strategies can I implement to efficiently manage this capacity while maintaining quality?”
As it all goes back to volume, you will need answers to this question to finalise your decision, as mentioned above, a larger run and smaller run business will make all the difference in the world when purchasing your equipment.
We’ve laid out the possibilities according to your achievable volume that may be the dealbreaker for what may or may not be the best way to run business. With the formula of ROI Period = Annual Profit/Investment Cost, we calculated what could be the best optimal printing solution for your shop. When your volume hits 9000, it’s already very much viable to start thinking about DTG as you can see that the payback period is already much more shorter than a DTF business model.
| Volume/Month | Optimal Printing Solution | Printer Used | Profit/Month | ~ ROI Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3000 | DTF | DTF Pro P6000 | $9,240 | 22 months |
| 6000 | DTF | DTF Pro P6000 | $18480 | 11 months |
| 9000 | DTF | DTF Pro MAXi | $27,720 | 21 months |
| 9000 | DTG | Brother GTX Pro | $60,030 | 3 months |
| 12000 | DTG | Kornit Atlas | $80,040 | 5 months |
| 15000 | DTG | Atlas | $105,000 | 2 months |
With that being said, after making an informed decision, you will also need to stay competitive, and continuous improvement is key. Keep abreast of technological advancements in your chosen printing method, attend industry workshops, and consider feedback from your customers to refine your process. Regularly review and adjust your workflow and equipment to ensure you are operating at peak efficiency and quality. This proactive approach will help you adapt to changing market conditions and customer preferences, keeping your business ahead of the curve in the world of apparel printing.
Be it DTG or DTF, be sure to get ready to scale new heights with your preferred printing solution. All the best!
