Sublimation, Screen Printing, DTG, and DTF Printing: What’s the Best Choice for Custom T-Shirts?

When you’re ordering custom apparel, you want two things: a print that lasts and a price that makes sense. There are four main methods: sublimation, screen printing, DTG, and DTF. Each has its place — but when it comes to durability, fabric flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, DTF printing wins every time.

Sublimation Printing

Process: Heat and pressure infuse ink into polyester fibers, making the design part of the fabric.
Best For: Polyester, white or light colors.

✅ Pros: Vibrant, long-lasting colors; no cracking or peeling.
⚠️ Cons: Only works on polyester or high-poly blends; not suitable for cotton or dark fabrics.
🕒 Durability: 50+ washes without fading (on polyester only).

Screen Printing

Process: Ink is pushed through screens — one per color.
Best For: Bulk orders of simple designs.

✅ Pros: Classic, durable look; bold colors.
⚠️ Cons: High setup costs for multi-color designs; time-consuming; room for alignment errors.
🕒 Durability: 40–50 washes before fading or cracking.

DTG (Direct to Garment) Printing

Process: Works like a printer — spraying water-based ink directly into the fabric.
Best For: Cotton shirts, high-detail images.

✅ Pros: Soft feel; great for photo-quality prints.
⚠️ Cons: Works best on cotton; requires pretreatment for dark shirts; fades faster than DTF.
🕒 Durability: 20–30 washes before noticeable fading.

DTF (Direct to Film) Printing

Process: Prints your design onto film, applies adhesive powder, then heat-presses it onto the garment.
Best For: Cotton, blends, polyester, light or dark fabrics — almost anything.

✅ Pros

• Works on nearly every fabric.

• No setup charges for multi-color designs.

• Cost-efficient for both small runs and bulk orders.

• Crisp, vibrant designs.

• Versatile: Not just for t-shirts and hoodies — also works on hats, koozies, scarves, flags, tote bags, and more.

⚠️ Cons: Print has a slight texture compared to sublimation.

🕒 Durability: 50+ washes without fading, cracking, or peeling — one of the longest lifespans of any print method.

💡 Our Quality Commitment: At GirlDad Creative, we’ve researched and experimented with several types of DTF films and adhesives to find the absolute best outcome. Some people assume DTF feels like wearing a “sticker” or a sheet of paper on a shirt — but with the right process and materials, that’s not the case.

We use premium, professional-grade DTF that becomes integrated with the fabric itself. The result is a lightweight, flexible, and comfortable print that moves with the shirt. The finish is smooth and vibrant, without the heavy texture that cheaper films can create. Even with bold, full-color designs, the print feels natural to wear — and it’s tough enough to withstand wash after wash without losing its look.

👉 With GirlDad Creative, you get DTF apparel that feels as good as it looks.

Fabric Cost Matters Too

Beyond printing, the shirt itself affects cost:

• Cotton (most affordable, great for DTF & DTG).

• Blends (mid-range, soft feel).

• Polyester (most expensive, required for sublimation).

Since DTF works on all fabric types, you get more flexibility to match your budget — whether you choose cost-friendly cotton or premium polyester.

Why DTF Is the Smart Choice

• Most durable (50+ washes, no fading).

• Budget-friendly (no multi-color charges).

• Flexible (works on any shirt type and even accessories).

• Premium comfort (lightweight and flexible — not “papery” or heavy).

• Efficient (fast turnaround, fewer errors).

If you’re looking for shirts, hoodies, or promotional items that are colorful, durable, comfortable, and cost-effective, DTF is the best choice for your brand, team, or event.

👉 Ready to explore what DTF can do for your custom apparel? Contact us today and let’s create something that lasts.