DTG Ink vs DTF Ink: Key Differences, Costs, and Which Technology to Choose

DTG (Direct to Garment) ink is a water-based textile ink designed to be printed directly onto fabric, where it bonds with the fibers. DTF (Direct to Film) ink is a pigment-based ink formulated for printing onto PET film, which is then heat-transferred to the garment. Despite both being used for custom apparel, these inks serve fundamentally different processes with different strengths and limitations.

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DTG Ink Explained

What Is DTG Ink?

DTG ink is a water-based ink that contains pigment particles suspended in a liquid carrier. When printed directly onto fabric and heat-cured, the pigment particles bond to the textile fibers. DTG printers use CMYK + White ink, similar to DTF, but the ink formulation is optimized for direct fiber absorption rather than film adhesion.

DTG Ink Characteristics

• Water-based — Low VOC, generally considered more environmentally friendly
• Fiber bonding — Ink absorbs into the fabric rather than sitting on top
• Pre-treatment required — Cotton garments must be pre-treated with a chemical solution before printing to allow white ink to bond
• Soft hand feel — Because the ink absorbs into the fibers, the print has minimal texture
• Cotton-focused — DTG works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends. Performance on polyester is limited.

DTG Ink Costs

• White ink: $80–150 per liter (consumed at high rates due to underbase requirements)
• CMYK ink: $50–100 per liter
• Pre-treatment solution: $30–60 per gallon
• Total ink cost per print: $0.50–2.00 for a standard chest-size print (white ink is the primary cost driver)

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DTF Ink Explained

What Is DTF Ink?

DTF ink is a pigment-based ink designed for printing onto PET transfer film. Unlike DTG ink, DTF ink does not need to absorb into fabric fibers — it sits on the film surface and bonds to the garment through a hot-melt adhesive powder layer during heat pressing.

DTF Ink Characteristics

• Pigment-based — Higher color density than most DTG inks
• No pre-treatment — The adhesive powder handles garment bonding, eliminating the pre-treatment step
• Works on all fabrics — Cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, treated leather
• Slightly thicker feel — The ink + adhesive layer creates a thin film on the garment surface
• White ink layer — Printed as an underbase (beneath the colors) for opacity on dark garments

DTF Ink Costs

• White ink: $60–120 per liter
• CMYK ink: $40–80 per liter
• Adhesive powder: $30–60 per 5 lbs
• PET film: $30–80 per roll
• Total consumable cost per print: $0.30–1.50 for a standard chest-size transfer

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DTG vs DTF Ink Comparison

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Maintenance Comparison

DTG Ink Maintenance

• Daily print head flushing to prevent white ink clogs
• Regular white ink agitation (manual or automated circulation)
• Pre-treatment machine cleaning and calibration
• More frequent print head replacements due to pre-treatment residue
• Cannot sit idle — extended downtime causes permanent white ink clogs

DTF Ink Maintenance

• Daily nozzle checks and head cleaning
• Regular white ink agitation
• No pre-treatment equipment to maintain
• Film feeding mechanism and powder shaker maintenance
• More forgiving of short idle periods than DTG

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Which Technology Should You Choose?

Choose DTG If:

• Your primary products are 100% cotton garments
• You value the softest possible hand feel (no texture on the print)
• You are willing to invest in pre-treatment equipment and the extra workflow step
• You print primarily on light-colored garments (where white ink consumption is zero)

Choose DTF If:

• You need to print on multiple fabric types (cotton, polyester, blends, nylon)
• You want to print on dark garments without sacrificing color vibrancy
• You prefer a simpler workflow without pre-treatment
• You want the option to stockpile transfers and press them later (DTF transfers can be stored)
• Lower per-print consumable costs matter to your business model

The Third Option: DTF Transfer Suppliers

If you do not want to invest in either DTG or DTF equipment, DTF transfer suppliers produce ready-to-press transfers that eliminate the need for any printer. See our supplier directory for options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between DTG ink and DTF ink?

DTG ink is a water-based textile ink printed directly onto fabric, requiring pre-treatment on cotton. DTF ink is a pigment-based ink printed onto PET film and heat-transferred to any fabric using adhesive powder. DTF is more versatile across fabric types; DTG produces a softer hand feel on cotton.

Is DTG ink more expensive than DTF ink?

Generally yes. DTG ink costs $0.50–2.00 per standard print including pre-treatment, while DTF total consumable cost (ink + film + powder) runs $0.30–1.50 per print. DTG white ink consumption is typically higher due to underbase requirements.

Can I use DTG ink in a DTF printer?

No. DTG ink and DTF ink have different formulations optimized for their respective processes. DTG ink is formulated to absorb into fabric fibers, while DTF ink is formulated to adhere to PET film. Using the wrong ink type will produce poor results and may damage the printer.

Which produces better quality, DTG or DTF?

Both can produce excellent quality. DTG has a slight edge in hand feel on cotton (softer, no texture). DTF has an edge in color vibrancy on dark fabrics and versatility across all fabric types. For most businesses, the difference in quality is minimal — the choice comes down to workflow preferences and fabric requirements.