What’s the difference between DTG and DFT printing?

Both DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and DFT (Direct-Film-Transfer) are digital printing methods that allow for full-colour, high-detail designs without the need for traditional screen setup. However, the two processes produce very different results in both appearance and performance.

DTG printing sprays ink directly onto the fabric, soaking into the fibers. It can look and feel very soft but is highly dependent on the type of garment, it works best on 100% cotton and can lose vibrancy or durability on blends or darker materials. It also tends to fade faster over time, especially with frequent washing. The quality of DTG printing is not as high quality when printed on mixed blend fabrics that use polyester or other fabrucs.

DFT printing, on the other hand, prints your design onto a specialized film which is then heat-pressed onto the garment. This process gives better colour accuracy, opacity, and durability across a much wider range of fabrics, including blends, fleece, and polyester. It also eliminates the pre-treatment step required by DTG, meaning faster turnaround and more consistent results.

At Stay Golden Custom, over the past few years we have phased out DTG printing in favour of DFT because of its improved washability, sharper detail, and longer-lasting colour. DFT simply performs better for the type of work our clients expect, premium-quality prints that hold up to real-world use while offering flexibility across product types and materials.