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Speaking of clothing printing technology, DTF VS Sublimation Printing are both common printing processes. These two “twin brothers” have similarities and are very suitable for clothing and textiles. These two technologies are often compared in the market. Today, let’s take a comprehensive look at the difference between the two. Come and have a look!
1. Process characteristics of DTF
Among the four major processes of clothing customization, heat transfer is the most widely used and the most extensive process.
It is a printing method that transfers patterns to fabrics by contacting heat transfer paper or heat transfer film with the surface of the fabric and applying heat pressure. This method requires using a DTF printer to print out the heat transfer first, and then using a heat press to combine it with the fabric.
2. Process characteristics of Sublimation Printing
Sublimation Printing is a technology widely used in the industrial field. It uses a special Sublimation Printing machine to transfer pictures or patterns from Sublimation Printing paper to the target material.
First, print the designed pattern on the Sublimation Printing paper, then place the Sublimation Printing paper and the target material in the Sublimation Printing machine, adjust the appropriate temperature and pressure, and after the Sublimation Printing machine reaches the preset temperature, transfer the pattern to the target material through heat pressure.
3. Similarities between DTF process and Sublimation Printing process
DTF process and Sublimation Printing process actually use the same principle – heat pressure, through sufficient temperature and pressure, the pattern is transferred from the transfer medium to the substrate. In other words, both processes require heating and pressure to make the pattern and the substrate tightly combined.
4. Differences between DTF process and Sublimation Printing process
Differences in printing materials
Hot stamping uses PVC hot stamping film as printing material, while Sublimation Printing uses thermal paper or tape as printing carrier.
Differences in hot stamping fabrics
DTF can be hot stamped on 90% of the fabrics on the market, such as knitting, textiles, nylon, non-woven fabrics, Oxford fabrics, etc., and fabrics of various base colors can be perfectly applied. Sublimation Printing can achieve vivid colors and distinct layers (can show the difference between adjacent colors) without affecting the original texture of the fabric, but the sublimation paper of Sublimation Printing can only be ironed on light-colored or white polyester fabrics, and the color display effect is not ideal when applied to dark fabrics.
Color difference
When using a DTF printer to make heat transfer, you only need to provide a clear original file to achieve a photo-level printing effect with bright colors and clear patterns. The Sublimation Printing process uses Sublimation Printing ink to print on thermal sublimation paper, and heats the pigment molecules to transfer to the fabric. It is impossible to accurately match the color, and a trial print is required before printing. In addition, its hot stamping effect is also closely related to the transfer fabric – the higher the polyester content, the brighter the color.
Different hot stamping conditions
The hot stamping temperature of DTF is generally around 150-160 degrees, and the pressing time is about 10-15 seconds (depending on the different hot stamping films, the specific temperature and time of hot stamping will be slightly different), while the Sublimation Printing process has higher requirements for hot stamping temperature and time, basically around 200-230 degrees, and the pressing time is about 15-20 seconds.
5. Applicable scenarios of the two processes
DTF
Compared with traditional screen printing, decals and other technologies, DTF can achieve color transition and gradient effects, and can realize complex logos and patterns. At the same time, due to the good elasticity of the hot stamping film, it can be applied in more and more fields. Therefore, DTF is very suitable for making small batches and diversified T-shirt printing, and can also be used for the production of small-area patterns such as hats, backpacks, and canvas shoes.
Sublimation Printing
Sublimation Printing uses Sublimation Printing paper, which can achieve full-width printing, strong three-dimensional effects and other visual effects. However, Sublimation Printing also has its own limitations. It cannot achieve color transition and gradient, and can only achieve simple dyeing effects. Therefore, Sublimation Printing is often used to produce large quantities of T-shirts, group clothing and other products.
If the DTF process is more suitable for fields with high requirements for printing effects, such as high-end clothing, home textiles, etc., then the Sublimation Printing process is more suitable for fields with lower cost requirements, such as advertising display, disposable products, etc.
6. Factory cycle comparison
Both DTF and Sublimation Printing are customized process products, but the process of Sublimation Printing is more complicated – proofing, plate making, and printing. The DTF process can be printed in time as long as the high-definition picture is available, without plate making, and samples can be produced in 10 minutes; the Sublimation Printing process requires a certain production cycle, and the delivery time varies from 3 to 7 days.
7. Hand feel comparison
DTF has hot melt adhesive on the back, so the hot stamping feels a bit hard on the fabric. After all, it is an offset printing process, which is more suitable for small-area delicate printing; the sublimation paper of Sublimation Printing is the ink that penetrates into the fabric, which feels less foreign and relatively softer.
8. Washing fastness comparison
According to the previous process, DTF is naturally inferior to Sublimation Printing sublimation paper in terms of washing fastness. However, after the continuous progress and upgrading of digital printing in recent years, the current DTF products can also be washed many times (hand wash/machine wash), the heat transfer color will not fade, the pattern will not fall off, and the washing fastness can reach level 3-4.
9. Cost comparison
Since DTF does not need to make the screen in advance, under the premise of small batch production, the total cost will be lower than the Sublimation Printing process. Although at present, the price of DTF’s special ink is higher than that of traditional printing dyes, the price gap is also shrinking visibly. In the future, the price advantage of DTF will become more and more obvious.
10. The relationship between DTF and Sublimation Printing
In fact, DTF is a subcategory of Sublimation Printing, and the Sublimation Printing process includes DTF.
The DTF process and the Sublimation Printing process have their own characteristics in the printing industry, and the relationship between them can be said to be complementary rather than competitive. By deeply understanding the distinctive characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of these two processes, we can better select and apply them to add unique charm and value to the products.
If you want to make diversified and design-oriented clothing printing, you might as well try DTF; and for large-scale, full-width printing needs, you can consider Sublimation Printing.
Do you know about these two processes?
