DTF, Sublimation, Heat-Press Transfers, Screen Printing & More — Explained for Beginners
When you’re starting out in product customisation, one of the hardest decisions is choosing the right printing method. Different projects require different techniques, and each method has its own strengths, limitations and workflow.
At Print Geek, we supply high-quality printers, heat presses, blanks and consumables used by hobbyists, small businesses, and professional print shops across Australia. This guide breaks down the most popular printing methods — DTF, sublimation, heat-transfer vinyl, laser transfers and screen printing — so you can choose the best option for your needs.
🔍 What Are the Main Printing Methods?
Here’s a quick overview of the methods we’ll explore:
DTF (Direct to Film) Printing
Sublimation Printing
Heat-Press/HTV Transfers
Laser Transfer Printing
Screen Printing
Each method produces a different finish, behaves differently on various surfaces, and suits different-sized businesses.
1. DTF Printing (Direct to Film)
What It Is
DTF involves printing your design onto a special film using DTF inks, coating it with an adhesive powder, then heat-pressing it onto the product.
Best For
✔ Cotton, polyester, blends
✔ Hoodies, T-shirts, jumpers
✔ Small businesses needing flexibility
✔ Full-colour prints (including gradients)
Pros
Works on almost all fabrics (including dark cotton)
No weeding required
Durable and stretchy prints
Fast production times
Great for small runs or one-off orders
Cons
Requires a dedicated DTF printer
Film and powder handling adds steps
Not ideal for textured surfaces or hard goods
Who Should Choose DTF?
If you run a small apparel business or Etsy store, DTF is the most versatile and profitable all-rounder.
2. Sublimation Printing
What It Is
Sublimation uses heat to turn ink into gas, bonding permanently with a polyester coating on blanks. It doesn’t sit on top of the product — it becomes part of it.
Best For
✔ Mugs, tumblers, drinkware
✔ T-shirts (minimum 65% polyester)
✔ Phone cases
✔ Photo panels
✔ Fabric products like tote bags, cushions etc.
Pros
Incredibly vibrant colours
No feel — the print becomes part of the surface
Extremely durable, dishwasher-safe on mugs
Equipment is affordable (e.g., Epson Ecotank + ICC profile)
Cons
Only works on light-coloured polyester or poly-coated blanks
Not suitable for dark cotton clothing
Requires heat press or mug press
Who Should Choose Sublimation?
Perfect for beginners wanting to start a home business with items like mugs, coasters, photo gifts and high-profit drinkware bundles.
3. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) & Heat-Press Transfers
What It Is
HTV involves cutting designs from coloured vinyl and pressing them onto clothing using a heat press.
Best For
✔ Simple shapes, names, slogans
✔ Sportswear numbers
✔ One-colour designs
✔ Cotton and polyester fabrics
Pros
Inexpensive to start
Ideal for lettering and simple logos
Works on many fabrics
Great for craft makers
Cons
Not ideal for detailed or full-colour images
Requires weeding (peeling away vinyl)
Can crack over time if not pressed correctly
Who Should Choose HTV?
Perfect for Cricut or Silhouette users making personalised apparel, team jerseys, school hoodies or small craft items.
4. Laser Transfer Printing
What It Is
Uses a white-toner laser printer with special transfer papers to apply full-colour designs onto a range of substrates.
Best For
✔ T-shirts (light & dark)
✔ Hard surfaces like metal, glass, wood
✔ Intricate multi-colour designs
✔ Short-run custom apparel
Pros
Extremely versatile — works on fabrics & rigid items
No weeding
Full-colour prints with good durability
Great for giftware
Cons
White-toner printers are expensive
Paper handling takes practice
Transfers can feel slightly “plastic” depending on the paper
Who Should Choose Laser Transfer?
Ideal for gift businesses or print shops needing to print on both apparel and hard goods using one machine.
5. Screen Printing
What It Is
A traditional method where ink is pushed through a mesh screen. Each colour requires its own screen.
Best For
✔ Bulk orders
✔ Simple logos and vector designs
✔ High-wash-resistance apparel
✔ Cotton T-shirts
Pros
Best for bulk quantities (cheapest per print)
Vibrant colours
Long-lasting prints
Great for uniforms, merch, and band shirts
Cons
Not ideal for one-off items
Multi-colour images become expensive
Requires more setup time and workspace
Who Should Choose Screen Printing?
Businesses producing large batches with simple graphics — e.g., promotional shirts, corporate outfits, event merch.
Which Printing Method Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
Printing Method Best For Works On Start-Up Cost Durability Difficulty Level
DTF Clothing of all types Cotton, blends, polyester Medium High Medium
Sublimation Mugs + gifts Poly-coated goods Low High Easy
HTV Simple designs Most fabrics Low Medium Easy
Laser Transfer Mixed surfaces Fabrics + hard goods High Medium-High Medium
Screen Printing Bulk apparel Mostly cotton Medium-High High Advanced
🔧 Recommended Equipment for Each Method
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For Sublimation Beginners:
Epson Ecotank printers
Izumi or flat heat presses
Mug presses
Sublimation blanks like mugs, keyrings, phone cases
For DTF Printing:
Dedicated DTF printer
Film sheets
Adhesive powder
Heat press (with strong, even pressure)
For HTV:
Vinyl cutter (Cricut/Silhouette)
Rolls of HTV
Heat press
For Laser Transfer:
White-toner laser printer
Transfer papers
Heat press
🎯 Final Tips for Choosing the Right Printing Method
✔ Think about what products you want to sell
Mugs & drinkware → Sublimation
Dark cotton T-shirts → DTF
Bulk orders → Screen printing
Mixed hard goods & clothing → Laser transfer
✔ Consider your budget
Sublimation is the most affordable to start; DTF and laser transfer require a higher upfront investment.
✔ Consider your production volume
A hobbyist doesn’t need screen printing. A busy apparel shop may outgrow HTV quickly.
Ready to Get Started?
At Print Geek, we supply sublimation equipment, DTF consumables, heat presses, vinyl cutters, blanks, ICC colour profiles and everything you need to launch or grow your printing business.
👉 Need help choosing the right setup?
Contact us anytime — we’re happy to guide you.