If you want to print custom T-shirts, you now have three main options: Sublimation, DTF, and DTG. All three give great results, but they work in different ways and cost different amounts. This guide compares them clearly so you can choose the right one for your budget, speed, and shirt type.
How Each Method Actually Works
Sublimation: You print the design with special ink on sublimation paper. Then you press it with high heat (around 190–200 °C) onto the shirt. The ink turns into gas and goes into the fabric. It only works on polyester or poly-coated items. Cotton does not work unless the shirt has a special coating.
DTF (Direct to Film): You print on a clear PET film with normal pigment ink plus white ink. Then you cover it with hot-melt powder, melt the powder, and heat-press the film onto any shirt – 100 % cotton, polyester, nylon, black, white, anything.
DTG (Direct to Garment): The printer sprays textile ink straight onto the shirt like a big inkjet printer. A machine pretreats cotton shirts first so the ink sticks. No paper or film needed.
Fabric and Color Choices
Sublimation
- Best on white or light polyester shirts
- Cannot print real white ink → white areas become the shirt color
- No good prints on dark or cotton shirts
DTF
- Works on every fabric and every color
- Has real white ink → bright prints even on black shirts
- Most flexible option
DTG
- Works best on 100 % cotton or cotton-rich blends
- Good white ink on dark shirts
- Polyester shirts often look dull or fade fast
Winner for variety: DTF
Print Quality and Hand Feel
Sublimation: The ink is inside the fabric, so you feel nothing. Super soft. Colors stay bright after many washes.
DTF: You feel a thin layer where the print is, but good powder and new machines make it very soft now. Most customers say it feels fine.
DTG is also soft, but the pretreatment layer can feel a little stiff on dark shirts. Light shirts feel almost nothing.
Winner for softest feel: Sublimation (on polyester)
Startup Cost in 2025
Sublimation (small setup)
- Converted Epson EcoTank or SureColor F170: $250–$600
- Heat press: $300–$800
- Ink + paper: $200 start Total: $800–$2,000
DTF (60 cm starter)
- Printer (i3200 head): $2,500–$4,500
- Heat press + powder shaker: $1,000–$2,000
- Ink + film: $400 start Total: $4,000–$7,000
DTG (entry level)
- Epson F2100 or Ricoh Ri1000: $12,000–$18,000
- Pretreatment machine: $1,000–$3,000 Total: $15,000+
Winner for low budget: Sublimation
Running Cost Per Shirt (A4 size print)
Sublimation (light poly shirt): $0.80–$1.20 DTF (any shirt): $1.00–$1.80 DTG (dark cotton shirt): $2.50–$4.00 (because of pretreatment liquid)
Winner for cheap prints: Sublimation
Speed – How Many Shirts Per Hour?
Sublimation: 30–50 shirts (print + press) DTF: 20–40 shirts (print + powder + press) DTG: 10–25 shirts (pretreat + print + cure)
Winner for speed: Sublimation
Wash Durability (50 wash test)
All three last well if you use good materials. Sublimation: Colors stay perfect on polyester. DTF: Very good, almost no cracking with new powder. DTG: Good on cotton, but white can crack a little on stretchy shirts.
Best Use Cases in 2025
Choose Sublimation if you:
- Print mostly light polyester shirts or sportswear
- Want the softest feel
- Have a small budget
- Make all-over prints or flags
Choose DTF if you:
- Print on cotton, black shirts, hoodies, bags
- Need white ink on dark fabrics
- Want one machine for everything
- Sell mixed orders
Choose DTG if you:
- Only print cotton shirts
- Do very small runs (1–5 pieces)
- Want no heat press step
- Have a big budget
Want to read a deeper side-by-side between DTF and Sublimation? Click here.
Quick Decision Table
| Need | Best Choice |
| Lowest startup cost | Sublimation |
| Any fabric + dark shirts | DTF |
| Softest feel on polyester | Sublimation |
| Cotton only + no heat press | DTG |
| Fastest production | Sublimation |
| One machine for everything | DTF |
Final Recommendation for Most People
In 2025, most new shops will pick DTF because it works on every shirt and every color. The price came down a lot, and the hand feel is now very close to sublimation. If you already have money and only want cotton, go DTG. If you are on a tight budget and can sell polyester shirts, start with sublimation.
No matter which way you go, check dtflinko.com for machines and supplies. They also have good large format dye sublimation printer options if you want to grow later.
