Difference between Dye Sublimation VS Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing

The printing market is loaded with various printing techniques. Each of them contains differentiators, making it easy for you to choose one. Keep reading to know the difference Dye Sublimation vs Direct to Garment (DTG).

What is Dye Sublimation?

Dye Sublimation is a digital printing method carried out by a solid dye. The solid dye is sublimated and converted into gaseous ink. Dye Sublimation is preferred because the printing quality is good and remains intact for longer. We can print on almost every kind of surface through this digital printing method.

Working in Dye Sublimation Printing

The dye sublimation occurs when a design is printed on a transfer paper first, and then it is transferred to the medium we want to get printed.

In traditional processes, the solid dye is converted into vapours when exposed to heat. The gaseous ink then passed through the inkjet under pressure. Inkjet directs the ink vapour to the substrate, and the whole printing process completes in this way.

The current methods are quite different from traditional methods. In the current process, we need a medium transfer paper on which we generate the design via sublimation inks. The best image is pasted onto the substrate through this transfer paper with a heat press.

Once the print settles on the printing medium, it is cooled down to get a firm coating. The process is tricky but worth the results. It is easy if you have a little experience. Otherwise, you might not get the accurate print and face more expense over repetitive processes.

Pros
  • The process is time-saving
  • Prints on all mediums
  • Gives sharp and vibrant print
  • Bulk production is convenient
  • Prints do not appear as stickers
  • Favourable to print on the bright substrate
Cons
  • Manual effort is required
  • Becomes costly with extra printing

What is Direct to Garment(DTG)?

Direct Garment printing is tagged as only garment printing. It is an advanced printing method that gives sharp, vibrant and long-lasting prints.

Working of Direct to Garment Printers

The process works with modern inkjet technology. It is an accurate method to start a T-shirt business before sending the design files to the garment printer. It is important to make all the adjustments and corrections like colour, compression and the heat press on the garment to make it smooth.

The heat press on a garment is important to make the print look plain. Another step is where the garment holds tightly to the table, and the printer starts working. The printer connects with a computer to print selected images on the garment. Like conventional inkjet printers, this process is efficient and mess-free.

Epson printers are best to carry out the DTG printing

This is because they are accurate with their inkjets and do not let the ink flow unfocused. They are not affordable but do not think to get them if someone demands high-quality prints.

Pros
  • The best print givers
  • Long-lasting and effective designs
  • Printing on small units is recommended
  • Better works on light surfaces
  • Environment friendly
Cons
  • The printer price is quite high
  • DTG suitable inks are costly

Which one is better? (Sublimation vs DTG)

The features, as mentioned earlier, working and classification, better display the potential of each type of printing. It would be best to explore the niche business before you start any one of them.

Calculate target audience and expected revenue. Mark your budget and then make your decision. On the other hand, the difference is obvious because each has different target markets. Read the pros and cons for a better understanding. Plot the scalability of your business to choose the best one for you.

The major difference is price and printing quality in Dye-sublimation and DTG printers. That is because DTG demands high-quality Epson printers to work on. At the same time, the Dye-sublimation printer is not costly.

If you want to get top-notch quality, then give a worthwhile investment to DTG; otherwise, choose the Dye Sublimation printer.

Final Words

The difference between Dye Sublimation and DTG Printing is obvious in the above article. The first one is the standard method, while the second one is the advanced method. It is because different printing niches are growing every day.

If you want to know which one is better for you, read out the article mentioned above and decide.