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DTF Vancouver offers both sublimation and DTF transfers. They solve different problems. Here's how to know which you need.
Sublimation ink turns to gas under heat and pressure, bonding with polyester fibres at a molecular level. The ink becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. The result is an ultra-soft hand feel with no print texture at all — you can't feel the design when you run your finger over it.
DTF prints onto a film with ink and adhesive. Under heat and pressure, the adhesive bonds the ink layer to the fabric surface. The print sits on top of the fabric — thin and flexible, but with a slight tactile presence if you run your finger across it.
Sublimation only works on polyester or polyester-coated substrates. On cotton, the ink doesn't bond — it washes out immediately. DTF works on any fabric, including 100% cotton, blends, nylon, and spandex. If the garment is cotton or a blend, DTF is your only transfer option.
Sublimation can't print on dark fabrics effectively — the ink colours blend with the dark base colour and muddy. DTF's white underbase makes it viable on any colour garment, including black. For a dark-coloured garment, DTF is the correct choice regardless of fabric composition.
All-over prints on white polyester garments. Full-custom jersey production where the print covers the entire garment. Soft goods like pillowcases, mousepads, and polyester phone cases where a flush, no-texture print is required. When hand feel is the primary requirement.
Cotton or blended fabrics. Dark garments. Small runs where you're decorating existing blanks. Applications where you're pressing multiple different designs on a single sheet (gang sheet efficiency). When same-day turnaround matters.
We offer sublimation transfers alongside DTF — see our full transfer catalogue. If you're not sure which is right for your project, contact us with your fabric and design details and we'll point you in the right direction.