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There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the right printing method for your promotional products. It can be very challenging to figure out which option is best for your business. Aside from the print quality, the cost of the same can influence your decision.

There are two of the most popular types of printing methods: DTF and sublimation. Although both of these are heat-transfer processes, they have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will talk about the differences between both types of printing and how they can help your business.

What Are The Principal Difference？

It's critical to understand the distinctions between DTF and sublimation when choosing which printing technique is ideal for your requirements. After defining DTF printing and sublimation printing, let's examine some of their primary differences:

The Print Quality & Transfer Process

Despite certain similarities between the two processes, there are significant differences between them as well, particularly in how the design is applied to the final product. Both methods employ heat to transfer the pattern, but while sublimation physically ties the inks to the fabric at the molecular level, DTF attaches the design to the object via an adhesive. The quality of the print and the durability are both impacted by the many ways that the design is transferred.

Transfer paper is used in DTF printing to embed the image in the fabric or substance. In a chemical process used in sublimation printing, a solid instantly transforms into a gas without first being liquid.

Due to the fact that the inks are applied on top of the object, DTF printing gives a more vivid and rich color palette. Additionally, DTF has a greater resolution than sublimation, so your print will have more detail.

On the other hand, sublimation employs a transfer process that embeds the ink into the product's fabric. As a result, the print is less bright, but the colors endure longer and won't fade or peel over time. Because the products are so durable, washing and frequent use won't cause fading or other damage like it would with other printing techniques. The finer details in your design may not print as well because sublimation has a lower resolution than DTF printing.

Printed Area

Print size is another significant distinction between DTF and sublimation printing. The platen's (the heated surface that rubs against the garment) usual 12" by 15" size places restrictions on DTF. However, sublimation printers have significantly larger platens that can hold prints up to 16" by 20".

Sublimation works best for bigger projects, while DTF is often better suited to smaller prints. DTF is probably not the ideal choice if you want to print an all-over design on clothing because it would take several passes and a lot of time to finish the print.

Image Texture

In DTF printing, the adhesive rather than the ink is what makes the print stick to the product. Because they are printed on top of the material's surface rather than being incorporated into it, images produced with the DTF printing technique have a soft and smooth texture. The texture will feel exactly the same as the material itself without printing because, with sublimation printing, the material absorbs the ink and the picture is enmeshed in the fabric.

Appropriate Materials

While DTF printing can be done on a variety of materials, sublimation works best on polyester or fabrics coated with polyester, as well as on metals, ceramics, and plastics.

Colors

DTF printers can print white, and they can be used to print on both light- and dark-colored materials. However, sublimation can only print in light colors; it cannot print in white.

Required Product Quantity

As we already discussed, DTF printing is frequently utilized for shorter runs of printed goods, while sublimation works better for longer print runs.