Fluxmall

Digital Printers | DTG, DTF, Dye Sublimation, Digital Add-ons for Oval Screen Printing Presses, Direct Fabric, UV | Print Supplies

How to Choose the Right Printing Method for Your Factory?

Table of Contents

In today’s fast-evolving textile and garment industry, selecting the right printing technology is not just a technical decision – it’s a strategic one. Whether you’re a fashion brand, a sportswear manufacturer, or a factory serving custom merchandise businesses, the printing method you choose will directly influence your production speed, product quality, and profitability.

At Fluxmall, we specialize in the distribution of high-performance printing technologies, including DTG (Direct to Garment), DTF (Direct to Film), sublimation, and direct-to-fabric (roll-to-roll) solutions. This article will guide you through the key factors to consider when selecting the ideal printing method for your specific business model, and how each of our product lines can align with your production needs.

Understand Your Business Model and Product Line

Before diving into the pros and cons of various printing methods, it’s important to clarify the type of products you produce and the nature of your customer demand. Are you printing thousands of the same design on polyester sportswear? Or are you fulfilling small-batch orders with a fast turnaround and frequent design changes? Your production goals will dictate the most suitable technology.

Direct to Garment (DTG) – Best for Custom, On-Demand Apparel

DTG printing is ideal for cotton-rich garments and excels at producing vibrant, photo-quality prints with fine detail. It’s especially suited for print-on-demand businesses, online custom apparel stores, or brands that offer frequent design variations.

Fluxmall offers the latest generation of industrial DTG printers, including the Epson SureColor SC-F3030 and other models equipped with Epson industrial-grade printheads. These machines are perfect for businesses looking for high resolution and flexibility while minimizing setup time and waste.

DTG is a water-based printing method that sprays ink directly onto the garment. It requires pretreatment for dark garments and is most efficient for orders ranging from one to a few dozen units. It’s not the best option for polyester or performance fabrics, but it shines in markets that demand high print quality, quick turnarounds, and customization.

PROS
CONS
  • High resolution and full-color gradient capabilities
  • Low setup time—ideal for small runs and one-offs
  • Eco-friendlier water-based inks
  • Limited to cotton and cotton-blend fabrics
  • Slower for large batch production compared to screen printing or DTF
  • Requires pretreatment and curing
  • Direct to Film (DTF) – Versatile and Fast-Growing

    DTF printing has gained popularity in recent years due to its versatility and relatively low cost per print. The process involves printing designs onto a film using pigment inks, then applying a powder adhesive and transferring it to the garment using a heat press. DTF works on a wide range of fabrics including cotton, polyester, blends, and performance wear.

    Fluxmall provides a range of DTF solutions such as the Epson SureColor SC-G6030 (expected to be released in June 2025) and DTF/DTG printers such as Epson SureColor SC-F2230, Epson SureColor SC-F1030. These machines are equipped with high-resolution Epson printheads, capable of printing continuously for hours with high precision.

    DTF is excellent for factories producing promotional wear, workwear, and brands that demand flexible fabric compatibility and bulk transfer-ready designs. With a relatively small footprint and fast ROI, DTF is ideal for businesses scaling up from DTG or looking for more efficient mid-volume production.

    PROS
    CONS
  • Works on nearly any fabric
  • Cost-effective for medium to large batches
  • Long shelf-life of printed transfers No pretreatment required
  • Slightly more steps than DTG (printing, powdering, curing, pressing)
  • Slightly lower resolution than DTG for fine detail
  • Slightly stiffer hand feel on the garment
  • Sublimation Printing – The Go-To for Polyester and Sportswear

    Sublimation printing is ideal for polyester garments and textiles where vibrant color and durability are required. The process uses heat to infuse dye into the fabric, resulting in permanent, vivid prints that don’t crack, peel, or fade.

    Fluxmall distributes high-performance dye-sublimation systems for roll-to-roll fabric printing. Sublimation is unmatched for sports uniforms, activewear, home textiles like curtains or bedsheets, and promotional products such as mugs and bags (when applied to coated surfaces).

    However, sublimation only works on white or light-colored polyester materials. If your products are primarily cotton-based or require dark-color printing, this method won’t be a fit.

    PROS
    CONS
  • Extremely durable and vibrant prints
  • No feel on the fabric - it becomes part of the fiber
  • Fast production for large runs
  • Only compatible with polyester or polyester-coated surfaces
  • Color accuracy may vary across fabric types
  • Requires dedicated heat press or calendar machine
  • Hybrid Printing – Industrial-Scale Performance with Creative Flexibility

    Hybrid printing is a powerful combination of screen printing and digital printing. It is an ideal solution for large-scale factories that require high production speeds, consistent quality, and the ability to handle full-color complex designs. Hybrid printing allows factories to apply a base layer using traditional screen methods (typically white ink), followed by digitally printed full-color layers — reducing digital ink consumption while maintaining vibrancy and precision.

    Fluxmall DTG distributes a range of advanced hybrid systems including the Textalk TGR Series Hybrid Printer, Textalk TKR Series Hybrid Printer, Textalk TFR Series Hybrid Printer and aeoon Hybrid Series Printer. These printers are designed for seamless integration into existing automatic screen printing lines and are compatible with machines from leading manufacturers such as MHM, KTK, and ROQ.

    PROS
    CONS
  • Optimized for bulk production with consistent quality
  • Efficient use of screen printing for underbase and digital for top layers
  • Compatible with existing screen print systems — ideal for upgrades
  • Handles multicolor complex graphics on cotton, polyester, and blends
  • Higher initial investment compared to single-process printers
  • Requires technical training and workflow calibration
  • Best suited for operations with existing automatic screen setups
  • Comparing Printing Technologies: What’s Right for Your Factory?

    Here’s a quick overview to help clarify how each printing method stacks up:

    Method
    Best For
    Fabric Types
    Ideal Order Size
    Print Quality
    Speed
    DTG
    On-demand fashion, online merch
    Cotton, cotton-blends
    1–100 pieces
    Very high
    Moderate
    DTF
    Workwear, mixed-fiber apparel, uniforms
    Cotton, poly, blends
    50–1000+ pieces
    Medium-high
    High
    Sublimation
    Activewear, sportswear, polyester goods
    Polyester
    100–10,000+
    High
    Very High
    Hybrid
    High-volume production, complex designs
    Cotton, poly, blends
    1000–50,000+
    High
    Very High

    Choosing the Right Technology: Key Questions

    To find the best match for your factory, ask yourself:

    1. What fabrics do you work with?
    2. What’s your average order size?
    3. Do you focus on speed, quality, or versatility?
    4. Are your designs simple logos or high-res images?
    5. Do you offer personalization?

    A hybrid setup is also possible. Many of our clients combine DTG for sample and one-off production with DTF or sublimation for scale. Others integrate roll-to-roll printing into cut-and-sew operations for all-over pattern garments.

    Why Work with Fluxmall?

    As a leading distributor of garment and textile printing solutions across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, Fluxmall DTG provides expert consultation to help you select the most suitable technology for your business model. We support installation, training, and long-term maintenance to ensure smooth operation of all systems.

    Our offering includes not only machines but also inks, consumables, and certified spare parts. We accompany you through every stage of growth — from system upgrades to digital transformation.

    Choosing the right printing method is a strategic decision that can reduce operational costs, increase productivity, and enhance your competitive edge. Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling up, Fluxmall DTG is here to support your journey.

    CONTACT US

    Please fill in this contact form