DTF guide · Updated
DTF vs Vinyl (HTV) vs Sublimation: Which Transfer Should You Use?
All three let you press designs with a heat press, but they suit very different jobs. Here is how they compare.
Side-by-side
| DTF | Vinyl (HTV) | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colours | Full colour, gradients, photos | One colour per layer | Full colour |
| Fabrics | Cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, canvas | Most fabrics | Polyester and poly-coated items only |
| Dark garments | Yes (white base) | Yes | No: light polyester only |
| Weeding | None | Yes, by hand | None |
| Best for | Multi-colour logos on any garment, small runs | Names and numbers, simple one-colour text | All-over prints on white polyester |
When DTF wins
For full-colour logos on cotton or dark garments, DTF is usually the quickest and cheapest: no weeding, no layering, and one sheet can carry every design and size for a job. Build one in the gang sheet builder.
When to choose something else
- A single word or number in one colour: vinyl is simple
- All-over prints on white polyester performance shirts: sublimation
- Hundreds of identical shirts with a 1–2 colour design: screen printing is cheapest per piece