DTF vs Sublimation: Which Should You Use?

DTF (direct-to-film) prints a design onto film, powders and cures it, then heat-presses it onto almost any fabric colour, including cotton and darks. Sublimation dyes the fabric itself and only works well on light polyester.

If you print on cotton, dark garments, or a mix of blanks, DTF is the more flexible choice and needs no per-color setup, which makes small full-color runs affordable.

Sublimation wins on all-over polyester prints and a softer hand feel, but it cannot print white and struggles on cotton or dark fabrics.

For most apparel sellers working across blank types, DTF is the default. Browse DTF printers by price, speed and location in our directory.