A DTF printer (Direct-to-Film printer) is a digital inkjet system that creates garment transfers. It prints designs onto PET transfer film instead of directly onto fabric.
The printer uses pigment inks and a white underbase layer. This ensures strong opacity and vibrant colour on both light and dark textiles. After printing, you apply adhesive powder to the film and cure it. The design is then heat-pressed onto the garment to create a durable and flexible print.

Because printing and heat application are separate steps, DTF offers greater production flexibility. You can prepare transfers in advance and apply them when needed. This makes DTF ideal for on-demand orders, short runs, and scalable garment production. DTF works effectively on cotton, polyester, blends, and many other textile types without pre-treatment.

Choose Mimaki DTF printers to ensure stable output, efficient production, and a reliable path to long-term growth.

Fabric flexibility: DTF transfers can be applied to cotton, polyester, blends, and many other fabrics. Sublimation printing, however, works best on polyester or polymer-coated materials. It does not bond properly with natural fibres like cotton.

Garment colour flexibility: DTF uses a white ink layer, allowing bright designs on both light and dark garments. Sublimation does not use white ink. It relies on the fabric’s base colour, so it works best on white or very light polyester fabrics.

Printing process: DTF creates a transfer that is heat-pressed onto the garment. Sublimation uses heat to turn ink into gas, which bonds directly with polyester fibres. This means sublimation becomes part of the fabric, while DTF sits as a thin, flexible layer on top.

Feel and finish: Sublimation produces a soft, “no-hand feel” result because the ink dyes the fibres. DTF forms a thin, flexible layer on the fabric. With modern systems, the finish stays smooth and comfortable for everyday wear.

Business flexibility: DTF is often preferred for mixed-fabric production, custom orders, and dark apparel. Sublimation is ideal for high-volume polyester sportswear and all-over prints.

Screen printing suits large batches of a single design, where high volumes help reduce setup costs.

DTF printing offers greater flexibility. You can produce small runs, customized designs, and detailed multi-colour artwork without complex setup or large minimum orders.

With Mimaki DTF printers, you gain faster setup, greater design flexibility, and better control over textile production.

Yes. DTF printing requires a dedicated printer built to handle white ink, layered printing, and transfer film. Standard inkjet printers do not support this production process.

Choose Mimaki DTF printers to build your textile production on a stable and scalable DTF foundation.

DTF is a form of digital textile printing specifically developed for transfer-based garment decoration. The difference depends on your production needs.

With DTF printing, you can work across various fabrics and prepare transfers in advance to apply when orders arrive. This makes it well suited for varied designs, smaller batches, and responsive production workflows.

Other digital methods may suit specific materials or large uniform runs. For businesses that need more flexibility and control, DTF offers a practical and efficient solution.