DTG versus DTF printing for B2B merch in Armenia

Two digital printing methods, one decision

DTG (direct-to-garment)

A water-based inkjet process that prints directly onto the pre-treated fabric using a flatbed printer. Most common in the Armenian B2B merch market for full-colour photo reproduction, low-volume runs, and on-demand production. Per-unit cost stays relatively flat as the run length increases because the dominant cost driver is the print time per unit, not the screen setup.

DTF (direct-to-film)

A hot-melt adhesive process that prints the design onto a PET film using a water-based inkjet printer, then transfers the film onto the fabric using a heat press. Most common in the Armenian B2B merch market for full-colour photo reproduction on polyester-heavy fabrics, for low-volume runs, and for production runs that combine multiple fabric types. Per-unit cost stays flat as the run length increases because the dominant cost driver is the film cost and the transfer time per unit.

Per-unit AMD cost

DTG: approximately 2,500-4,500 AMD per unit for a full-colour A4 design on a 100-piece run. DTF: approximately 2,000-3,500 AMD per unit for a full-colour A4 design on a 100-piece run. DTF is slightly cheaper per unit at low run lengths because the film cost is lower than the pre-treatment cost for DTG.

Fabric compatibility

DTG: works best on 100% organic cotton with a pre-treatment process; limited compatibility with polyester-heavy fabrics and dark-coloured fabrics without a pre-treatment underbase. DTF: works on organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, polyester-heavy blends, and dark-coloured fabrics without a pre-treatment; the film adhesive bonds to the fabric surface.

Full-colour reproduction

DTG: excellent full-colour photo reproduction through water-based inkjet; gradients and shadows are smooth; the print is integrated into the fabric surface. DTF: excellent full-colour photo reproduction through film-based inkjet; gradients and shadows are slightly less smooth than DTG; the print sits on the fabric surface as a thin film.

Wash durability

DTG: 25-40 wash cycles before visible degradation with proper curing; the water-based ink integrates into the fabric. DTF: 40-60 wash cycles before visible degradation; the film adhesive is more durable but can crack or peel at high-stress areas.

Production lead time

DTG: 1-2 weeks for the pre-treatment and colour profile setup plus 1 week for the production run. DTF: 1 week for the film printing and transfer setup plus 1 week for the production run. DTF is slightly faster because the film printing can run in parallel with the pre-treatment-free fabric preparation.

Practical decision rule

Use DTG for 100% organic cotton, for designs with smooth gradients and shadows, for runs below 100 pieces per design, and for light-coloured fabrics. Use DTF for organic cotton and recycled polyester blends, for polyester-heavy fabrics, for dark-coloured fabrics, for runs below 200 pieces per design, and for production runs that combine multiple fabric types.

DTG and DTF are the two digital printing methods that complement screen printing and embroidery for low-volume and on-demand B2B merch programmes. They produce different fabric compatibility profiles, different full-colour reproduction characteristics, different per-unit AMD cost structures, and different production lead times. DTG is the more integrated choice for 100% organic cotton and for designs with smooth gradients; DTF is the more versatile choice for fabric blends and dark-coloured fabrics. The page below compares the two methods side by side on the dimensions that matter for Armenian B2B buyers running on-demand programmes.

Fabric compatibility, full-colour reproduction, and durability

DTG works best on 100% organic cotton with a pre-treatment process. The pre-treatment is a liquid coating that is applied to the fabric before printing; it creates a uniform surface for the water-based ink to bond to. Without the pre-treatment, the ink would soak into the fabric unevenly and produce a faded or blotchy result. The pre-treatment is compatible with light-coloured fabrics; for dark-coloured fabrics, a white underbase layer is required, which adds an extra print pass and increases the per-unit cost by 30-50%.

DTF works on a wider range of fabrics without a pre-treatment. The film adhesive bonds to the fabric surface, which means the print sits on top of the fabric as a thin film rather than integrating into the fabric. This makes DTF compatible with organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, polyester-heavy blends, and dark-coloured fabrics. The film adhesive also makes DTF slightly thicker on the fabric surface than DTG, which can be felt on lightweight knits but is invisible on mid-weight and heavy-weight fabrics.

Full-colour reproduction is excellent for both methods, with subtle differences. DTG produces smoother gradients and shadows because the water-based ink integrates into the fabric and the print surface follows the fabric texture. DTF produces slightly less smooth gradients because the film adhesive sits on the fabric surface, but the difference is typically below the threshold of casual observation. For designs with large solid-colour fields, both methods produce equivalent results. For designs with fine photographic detail, DTG has a slight edge.

Durability differs between the two methods. DTG prints degrade over 25-40 wash cycles because the water-based ink is integrated into the fabric surface and can fade with repeated washing. DTF prints degrade over 40-60 wash cycles because the film adhesive is more durable, but the film can crack or peel at high-stress areas (like the underarm or the waistband). For B2B merch that is intended for occasional wear, both methods are acceptable; for B2B merch that is intended for daily wear, embroidery or screen printing is the more durable choice.

FAQ: DTG vs DTF for B2B merch in Armenia