Designing
- How to prepare files for printing
- How to reduce the file size for fabric printing without losing quality?
- Why does my design look blurry in the editor?
- Can I upload files with a resolution of more than 300 dpi?
- What is a linear meter?
- Does my design remain private?
- Can I print photos on fabric?
- What if I can't upload my design?
- Color profiles
- How to order a personalized textile product with my design?
- Are there any minimum order requirements for personalized textile products?
My orders
Payment and Delivery
Production
- Is your printing eco-friendly?
- What technique and machine do you print with?
- What printing methods are available for custom textile items?
- What is preatretment and what is it for?
- What is the difference between DTF printing and sublimation?
- What is OEKO-TEX certification and why does it matter?
- Can you print on dark-colored fabrics?
- How to care for custom printed fabric and DTF garments
- How to achieve accurate colors in custom fabric printing
- What is digital pigment printing on fabric and how does it compare to sublimation?
Wholesale & B2B
- Do you have a minimum order quantity for wholesale fabric printing?
- How do I place a bulk fabric printing order?
- Does Muzefab offer white-label fulfillment and dropshipping?
- Can I get a VAT invoice for my business order?
- How does cut and sew manufacturing work at Muzefab?
- How do I get a custom quote for a large or complex order?
What is the difference between DTF printing and sublimation?
DTF (Direct to Film) and sublimation are both digital printing techniques used for custom textile products, but they work differently and are suited to different fabrics and use cases. Choosing the right method affects color vibrancy, washfastness, hand-feel, and which fabrics you can print on.
How DTF printing works
DTF stands for Direct to Film. In this process, the design is first printed onto a special transfer film using pigment inks, then a hot-melt adhesive powder is applied, and the film is heat-pressed onto the garment or textile. The ink layer sits on top of the fabric surface as a thin flexible film.
DTF works on virtually any fabric — cotton, polyester, blends, canvas, denim — regardless of fabric color, including dark backgrounds. It does not require fabric pretreatment before printing.
Best suited for: finished garments (t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags), mixed-fiber fabrics, dark-colored items, designs with fine detail or photographic elements.
How sublimation printing works
Sublimation uses heat to convert dye from a solid state directly into gas, which then bonds permanently with the polyester fibers of the fabric at a molecular level. The ink becomes part of the fiber rather than sitting on top of it, which makes the print extremely durable and breathable — it does not crack, peel, or fade with washing.
Sublimation only works on fabrics with a high polyester content (typically 80% or above). It cannot produce true black or dark backgrounds on dark-colored fabrics, as the dye requires a white or light base to show accurately.
Best suited for: fashion, sportswear, swimwear, leggings, home decor, soft signage — all made from polyester or recycled polyester fabric.
Side-by-side comparison
| DTF | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible fabrics | Cotton, poly, blends | Polyester 80%+ only |
| Works on dark fabrics | Yes | No |
| Hand-feel | Slight texture on print area | Completely smooth |
| Washfastness | Excellent | Excellent |
| Color vibrancy | High | Very high |
| Print area | Any placement | Full fabric / all-over |
Which method does Muzefab use?
For finished textile products in our catalog (t-shirts, sweatshirts, accessories), we use DTF printing. For fabric printing on polyester and recycled polyester by the meter, we use sublimation on high-speed DGI machines. For natural fabrics (cotton, linen, viscose, jersey), we use digital pigment printing on the Kornit Presto system — a distinct third method.
→ Browse DTF products
→ Browse All-over print products
→ View fabric printing options