Discover the cost benefits of DTF transfers vs. sublimation. Learn why DTF printing is a more economical choice for tshirt DTF projects.

DTF vs. Sublimation: Cost Comparison for Fabric Printing

When it comes to custom apparel, choosing a printing technique requires understanding their cost variance between DTF transfers versus sublimation. Though both will yield excellent prints, generally speaking, DTF, or Direct to Film, is the cheaper alternative. It even proves to be reasonably inexpensive for t-shirt DTF projects as well. In this article, we look at what, exactly, are some of the basic costs driving DTF and sublimation, and may, perhaps, expand upon why DTF printing may be appropriate for your fabric printing needs.

Is DTF and Sublimation the Same?

While both DTF and sublimation are applied in fabric printing, they differ from each other. They mainly differ in the process and the materials they work with:

• DTF printing uses a transfer film and a special adhesive powder that allows the design to stick to a wide range of fabrics, from cotton and polyester to blends.
• Sublimation is a printing technique that relies on infusing ink directly into the material of the polyester-based fabrics. This technique requires garments with high polyester content to ensure optimal results.

These differences affect the overall cost and range of possibilities of the printing techniques.

DTF Transfer Cost: A More Affordable Option

When it comes to comparing the costs between DTF transfers versus sublimation, a number of aspects make DTF printing cheaper:

• DTF transfer can be easily applied to various types of fabrics, such as pure cotton and mixed fabrics, without any special treatment. This flexibility removes the compulsion for purchasing different types of substrates, saving your money.
• Although both require a printer and a heat press, DTF printing doesn't need the special materials required by sublimation, such as polyester-only fabrics. This makes it more financially practical for a small business or a business just getting up and running.
• DTF usually has a low price on the sheets compared to the sublimation paper costs, and adhesive powder prices tend to be cheaper. The affordability of DTF transfers thus enables working on big projects within your budget.

How Much Do DTF Transfers Cost?

While different DTF transfer prices vary depending on certain conditions, the DTF transfers are generally more affordable. That DTF can be used on most materials like DTF fabric, including cotton and polyester, reduces the need for specialty garments further to lower the cost. Therefore, pricing DTF shirts and knowing how to estimate the price of a DTF shirt makes the work easy, especially when dealing with larger batches of shirts.

Factors Influencing DTF Cost

Several factors may possibly influence the cost of DTF printing, such as:

• The larger the transfer sheet, which may mean a more complex design, the more expensive it will be.
• The per-unit cost of DTF transfer can be brought down by ordering in bulk.
• Although DTF Transfers can print on all kinds of fabrics, prints look their best on polyester or blended fabrics. Using these will dramatically help in improving quality without adding too much cost.

Why Choose DTF Over Sublimation?

If one compares DTF with sublimation, the former has a lot of advantages, mainly when cost is the most vital concern.

• The basic difference between sublimation and DTF transfers is that, while sublimation works on polyester-based fabrics, DTF transfers are applicable on different DTF fabric types, constituting a broader scope of availability.
• The initial investment in DTF equipment is generally low; it should, therefore, be considered one of the friendly budgets for beginners in fabric printing.
• Whether printing a single DTF t-shirt or a bulk one, DTF printing is economic owing to its low material cost and flexible pricing.