By Denielle Lue, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
Updated 11/10/2026 · 9 min read
DTF vs sublimation comes down to your shirts. DTF transfers press onto cotton, blends and polyester in light or dark colors. Sublimation only works on white or light colored polyester and poly-coated items, and it needs its own printer, ink and paper. This guide compares the two side by side, with the tips I give customers after 16 years of making custom shirts.
Not sure how DTF will look on your shirt? Upload your design to our Free DTF Mockup Studio and preview it on a garment before you order. No account needed.
Key Takeaways
- Cotton or dark shirts: choose DTF. Sublimation does not work on cotton and needs white or light colored fabric.
- White polyester or poly-coated mugs: sublimation is a good fit, and you generally cannot feel the print.
- Startup cost: buying ready-made DTF transfers costs far less than investing in a sublimation printer, inks and paper, and there is no printer to maintain.
- Durability: our DTF transfers are rated for 100+ washes when applied correctly with a heat press.
- Learning curve: DTF is easier to apply. Sublimation takes more practice to get the temperature, pressure and press time right.
DTF vs sublimation: what each one is, and what it is not
What DTF is: a direct to film (DTF) transfer is your design printed on film with a white underbase behind the colors, then coated with adhesive powder. You heat press it onto the garment and peel the film away. The white layer is why DTF shows up bright on black and colored shirts.
What DTF is not: it is not vinyl you cut and weed, it is not screen printing, and it is not a dye. It bonds to the surface of the fabric. For tumblers, glass and other hard surfaces, you need UV DTF instead (see our UV DTF application guide).
What sublimation is: sublimation ink is printed on sublimation paper, then heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds into polyester fibers or a polyester coating. The design becomes part of the fabric.
What sublimation is not: it is not a transfer you can press on any shirt. It does not work on cotton, and because the ink is not opaque, it does not show up on dark garments.
Printing on cotton tees? Skip the printer and order custom DTF transfers by size with your own artwork.
How we compared DTF and sublimation
We compared the two methods the way our customers use them: buying ready to press DTF transfers versus printing sublimation yourself. DTF details come from our own pressing guide and 16 years of making shirts. Sublimation details come from the sources linked under the table, checked on 11/10/2026. Here is what we looked at:
- Fabrics: which materials each method works on.
- Garment colors: whether it shows up on dark shirts.
- Feel: what the print feels like on the shirt.
- Wash life: how long the print lasts when applied and washed correctly.
- Equipment to start: what you need to buy before your first shirt.
- Press settings: the heat and time each method needs.
DTF vs sublimation comparison table
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Factor | DTF transfers (ordered ready to press) | Sublimation (printed yourself) |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrics | Cotton, cotton-poly blends and 100% polyester, with press settings for each | Polyester and poly-coated items; 100% polyester is the best choice (Printful). Does not work on 100% cotton (DTF SATX) |
| Garment colors | Light and dark, thanks to the white underbase | White or light colored only, because sublimation inks are translucent (DTF SATX) |
| Feel | Soft, with a feel similar to screen print (our transfers) | Generally cannot be felt, since the ink is in the fibers |
| Wash life | Rated for 100+ washes when applied at the right temperature, time and pressure | Less prone to fading or peeling because the color is in the fibers (Printful) |
| Equipment to start | A heat press. Our pressing guide also covers a Cricut Easy Press and a home iron | A sublimation printer listed at $500 to $3,000 and a heat press at $300 to $800, plus ink and paper (DTF SATX) |
| Press settings | 290 to 310°F for cotton and blends, 270 to 285°F for 100% polyester, 15 to 20 seconds, medium-heavy pressure, hot peel | Typically 350 to 400°F (DTF SATX) |
| Hard goods | Not for hard goods; use UV DTF for tumblers, glass and hard surfaces | Mugs, coasters and other poly-coated items (Printful) |
Checked on 11/10/2026. DTF figures are from our How to Press DTF Transfers guide. Sublimation figures are from Printful's DTF vs sublimation guide and DTF SATX's DTF vs sublimation guide. Equipment prices vary by brand, so check current prices before you buy.
Your two options, side by side
1. Ready to press DTF transfers from We Print U Press
Order ready to press designs from $2.25 each, upload your own art as custom DTF transfers by size from $1.00, or fill a custom gang sheet. All you do is press.
Best suited to: anyone printing on cotton, blends or dark shirts, new shirt makers who do not want to buy and maintain a printer, and shops that want one method for most of their blanks.
Drawbacks: DTF sits on the surface of the fabric, so it is not as invisible as sublimation, and it is not for mugs or tumblers (that is UV DTF). You also wait for production and shipping unless you add Rush Production or pick up locally in Spring Hill, FL. And we do not print trademarked or copyrighted designs (for example Disney or Nike) unless the brand owner gives written permission. Permission from an Etsy seller does not count. See our copyright and usage policy.
2. Sublimation with your own printer
You buy a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, sublimation paper and polyester or poly-coated blanks, then print and press each design yourself.
Best suited to: makers who print mostly on white or light polyester shirts, or on poly-coated mugs and coasters, and want a print you generally cannot feel.
Drawbacks: it does not work on cotton or dark shirts, it costs more to start than ordering transfers, and you own the printer upkeep, including clogged ink lines. It also takes more practice to get the temperature, pressure and press time right.
Try DTF on your own shirts first
Preview your design in our free mockup studio, then order a small first batch to feel the difference for yourself. Our DTF Transfer Sample Pack is free (you pay shipping). Free ground shipping on orders of $75 or more after discounts.
Expert tips from Denielle
These are the questions I get most from shirt makers choosing between the two methods.
When should you choose sublimation, and when DTF?
"DTF can be used on any fabric, and it's a great option when a customer does not want a high count polyester shirt. DTF is also faster and easier to apply."
Denielle, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
What goes wrong with sublimation on cotton or dark shirts?
"Sublimation does not work on cotton fabric and needs to be on white or light colored fabric. Designs will appear dull and faded on non-polyester fabric and dark colored fabric."
Denielle, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
How do DTF and sublimation compare in feel and wash life?
"Our DTF is made to feel soft and lasts 100+ washes when applied properly with a heat press. Since sublimation is essentially 'gassed' into the fabric, you generally can't feel it. We've spent a lot of time experimenting with different adhesive powders, films and inks, as well as different settings, to perfect a lighter feel compared to many competitor transfers. Our transfers have a similar feel to screen print."
Denielle, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
What does a new shirt maker need to start with each?
"DTF transfers are far less expensive than investing in a sublimation printer, inks and paper. When ordering ready-made DTF transfers, you also don't need to worry about clogged ink lines and machine maintenance."
Denielle, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
What do people get wrong when they compare the cost?
"Sublimation definitely takes more practice and skill in determining the right temperature, pressure and press time. DTF is easier to apply, has a much shorter learning curve, and you can press about twice as many shirts using DTF as you can with sublimation."
Denielle, owner of We Print U Press, 16 years making custom shirts
Which option fits your business?
- Etsy sellers: if your listings are cotton or dark tees, sublimation is not an option, so start with custom DTF transfers by size or a gang sheet. Use original or licensed designs; permission from another Etsy seller does not cover trademarked or copyrighted characters.
- Boutique owners: press our free sample pack on the blanks you already stock and compare the feel before you commit to a method.
- Schools and teams: cotton spirit shirts and dark team colors call for DTF. Sublimation is worth a look only for white or light polyester jerseys.
- Church and event orders: event dates do not move. Check our turnaround time and shipping page, add Rush Production (Same Day, Next Day or 3 business day) if you are close to the date, or pick up locally in Spring Hill, FL.
- First-time heat press owners: start with our Ready. Set. Press. Kits: the Starter Kit is $49.99, the Maker Kit $79.99 and the Pro Kit $109.99, each with DTF transfers and blank tees. The kits are not eligible for discount codes, including NC30.
Why shirt makers trust We Print U Press
- 4.73 out of 5 from 6,865 reviews on Judge.me
- 4.9 out of 5 from 157 Google reviews
- Over 60,000 customers served
- Over 1 million transfers printed
- Over 16 years of custom apparel experience
Read what customers say on our reviews page.
FAQ
Is DTF the same as sublimation?
No. DTF prints your design on film with a white underbase and adhesive, and you press it onto the surface of the fabric. Sublimation turns ink into a gas that bonds into polyester fibers, so it only works on polyester or poly-coated items in white or light colors.
Is DTF better than sublimation?
For cotton, blends and dark shirts, yes, because sublimation does not work on them. For white or light polyester and poly-coated mugs, sublimation is a good fit and you generally cannot feel the print. Match the method to your blanks.
Can you sublimate on cotton?
No. Sublimation does not work on cotton fabric, and designs look dull and faded on non-polyester and dark fabric. For cotton shirts, use DTF transfers.
Can you press DTF transfers on polyester?
Yes. Our pressing guide lists 270 to 285°F for 100% polyester and 290 to 310°F for cotton and blends, for 15 to 20 seconds with medium-heavy pressure. Test-press polyester on a scrap first.
How long do DTF transfers last compared with sublimation?
Our DTF transfers are rated for 100+ washes when applied at the right temperature, time and pressure. Wash inside out in cold water and tumble dry low or hang to dry. Sublimation color sits inside the fibers, so it is less prone to fading or peeling.
Do I need a special printer for DTF?
Not if you buy ready to press transfers. All you need is a heat press, and our pressing guide also covers a Cricut Easy Press and a home iron. Printing sublimation yourself needs a sublimation printer, ink and paper.
Is DTF cheaper than sublimation?
To get started, yes: ordering DTF transfers costs far less than buying a sublimation printer, inks and paper, and there is no machine maintenance. Our custom DTF transfers by size start at $1.00 and ready to press designs at $2.25.
Start with DTF transfers
If most of your shirts are cotton, blends or dark colors, DTF is the method that fits. Preview your design in the Free DTF Mockup Studio, grab a free sample pack, or order custom DTF transfers by size. New to pressing? Our pressing guide covers time, temperature and peel.
Want to see how we print and press? Watch us on the We Print U Press YouTube channel and follow us on LinkedIn. Questions? Email us at hello@weprintupress.com.
