Let me shed some light, I sell DTG and DTF printers
MOST IMPORTANT, and I'll discuss this later: POLYESTER cannot be done on DTG effectively, with DTF, yes!
1. Cost per print / I have strong knowledge of Brother and Kornit. Kornit printers use approx 65 cents to $1.25 depending on the model of printer; ALL other printers, Brother, Epson, et al, their cost per print is anywhere 2-5x more in ink and pretreatment
DTF, the cost per square meter (approx 12 shirt fronts) is LESS THAN $3 - or approx 33 cents per shirt!!!
2. Maintenance: all use water based inks, so you have to clean more than maintain - look for a printer with RECIRCULATING white
3. Print quality - DTF without a doubt because you are printing on a solid media. DTG prints directly on ot the pretreat of the shirt.
With DTG, the ink never prints ON the shirt, it prints ON the pretreat - Kornit pretreat is wet, all others are sprayed on, then they need heat sealed
Neither DTG or DTF is like standard plastisol screen printing. DTG has a softer feel than plastisol. DTF has a standard transfer feel, but the print quality is the best.
DTF does not peel if applied properly. DTF has its place in the industry. My wife's business, they run 4 Kornit printers, but for their staff shirts, they applied a DTF transfer.
DTF, as DTG is best for MULTI color designs - where DTF excels is in production. I can print on the LOW end 15 meters per hour, or 180 shirt transfers. I have actually printed 20 meters per hour, or 240 shirt transfers. Kornit's fastest printer can do that, but its over $800,000, Brother can print 40 pieces per hour on their new printer, but you still have prep.
PROCESS
DTG: heat shirt, pretreat shirt, heat set pretreat, let cool, print design, heat set
DTF: print film, add powder, heat set, apply to shirt - we have an AUTO machine that does all that for you
What do you need for DTG? Printer, heat press, pretreat machine or hand sprayer (not consistent)
What do you need for DTF? Printer and Powder/Heater unit, heat press
UNLESS YOU AREdyeing a garment or screen printing discharge or water based inks, NEVER is ink "pushed into a garment."
ALL process sit on top of the garment - the adherent dictates the feel
Plastisol is petroleum based and it IS the adherent - they add color to plastisol - under 320F it only needs 45 seconds to cure
DTG and DTF are water based inks that SIT ON TOP of the pretreat
- DTG adheres to the cured pretreat - in this option, the pretreat seals the shirt so the ink cannot get lost in the fibers
- DTF uses a film impregnated with PET for release and the powder applied is the adherent - you can vary the powder amount for different levels of feel
The pretreat on a Kornit is wet when the ink is applied, on all other DTG units you have to cure the pretreat before you print on top of it.
Our DTF printer applies the powder evenly - just like you cannot evenly apply pretreat for DTG by hand, you cannot apply powder for DTF by hand.
ENTERING THE MARKET
1. I would first start by buying transfers from a reputable reseller - plastisol transfers are incredible today, but I have customers selling DTF transfers, again from MULTI color designs. Build your business, get to understand what your customers want before buying equipment
Best for long runs, as the more you print, the less the print costs you due to set up
2. Screen printing - messy, dirty and expensive to enter, manuals start at $10,000 and autos start around $55,000+
There are many items you need for this venture: presses, dryers, wash out stations, screen reclaiming, dark rooms, etc.
Best for shorter runs or multi color designs
3. DTG - great process, I was in this at its inception, you can enter market for as low as $14,000 for a reputable printer; you will need a way to apply your pretreat, either manually or by a machine. You cannot be consistent doing it manually. And, you will need a heat press
4. DTF - in my opinion, best thing for start ups. All you need is printer, powder applicator and heat press.
Our auto system is only $15,000
Best for multi color designs and short or long runs
POLYESTER
DTG cannot print effectively on poly as the pretreat only adheres to cotton / so, if you have a 50/50 t-shirt, the pretreat can only stick to half of the garment
It will wash off
DTF, since you printing on a film, the powder applied will adhere to 100% poly and this is great for performance gear
Rick