Embroidery, DTG and DTF Apparel Printing
Premium Custom Embroidery
If you are looking for unique, high-quality products our cutting-edge embroidery technique lets you create rich gradients and full-colour artwork. This advanced process makes your most vibrant and detailed embroidered designs a reality, capturing every shade perfectly. Each product goes through quality checks to ensure the best results for your embroidered designs. We also digitize your design files for a one-time fee so the embroidery machine can read the file and produce an iconic result that will never fade or crack.
Why choose between printing and embroidery? Print and stitch on a single product!
With Little Giant Productions, you can combine both on the same item. Add crisp printed details alongside beautiful embroidery for truly unique, standout designs that are exclusive to your creativity.
Now is the perfect time to grow your brand or personal wardrobe with embroidered clothing and accessories like custom patches, sweatshirts, tees, hats and toques. Whether you're levelling up your personal style, business, staff, launching a clothing line, or creating branded gear for your local sports team, the premium feel of embroidery will help you capture your desires!
Why choose between printing and embroidery? Print and stitch on a single product!
With Little Giant Productions, you can combine both on the same item. Add crisp printed details alongside beautiful embroidery for truly unique, standout designs that are exclusive to your creativity.
Now is the perfect time to grow your brand or personal wardrobe with embroidered clothing and accessories like custom patches, sweatshirts, tees, hats and toques. Whether you're levelling up your personal style, business, staff, launching a clothing line, or creating branded gear for your local sports team, the premium feel of embroidery will help you capture your desires!
Direct To Garment (DTG) Apparel Printing
Direct-to-garment printing is a method where the ink is jetted directly onto the garment, which allows for high-quality, full-colour prints. DTG prints are soft, breathable, and durable. DTG printing is best suited for fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and other natural materials, as the material absorbs the ink. DTG is one of the most popular printing methods in on-demand production.
Unlike DTF printing, DTG requires fewer steps to get the design printed on the garment. There are a few slightly different, but very similar, ways to print a DTG product. The technology and process we use goes like this:
Unlike DTF printing, DTG requires fewer steps to get the design printed on the garment. There are a few slightly different, but very similar, ways to print a DTG product. The technology and process we use goes like this:
- First, the garment is loaded onto a printing platen and a special pre-treatment is applied to create a bond between the fabric’s fibres and the ink.
- Next, water-based ink is jetted directly onto the wet, pre-treated area to create the design. The drops of the different colored inks are jetted at very precise coordinates to create the unique colors and details of your image.
- The garment is then carefully removed from the printing platen and placed on a dryer to evaporate the pre-treatment and cure the ink, creating a durable final print.
Direct To Film (DTF) Apparel Printing
We believe in setting new standards when it comes to printing innovation, and our DTF is proof. This DTF is the next-gen of direct-to-film printing, with unmatched colour matching, flawless finish, and sharp detail so that you can bring your brand to life, exactly as you envisioned it.
DTF is a direct-to-film printing method known for versatility and excellent results on multiple fabric types. The process involves printing a design onto a special transfer film with water-based inks, coating it with adhesive powder, and heat-pressing it onto the garment. This creates vibrant, durable prints that work on cotton, polyester, fleece, nylon, and blends.
At Little Giant Productions, we’ve taken DTF further. Engineered for sharper detail, richer colours, stronger durability, and a flawless, glue-free finish — its ideal for affordable, long lasting personal or profesonal use.
Other benefits of DTF printing include:
-Wide colour range, including vibrant tones that hold up wash after wash.
-Ability to print on light and dark garments.
-Compatibility with challenging fabrics like fleece and nylon
Here are the basic steps of DTF printing:
DTF is a direct-to-film printing method known for versatility and excellent results on multiple fabric types. The process involves printing a design onto a special transfer film with water-based inks, coating it with adhesive powder, and heat-pressing it onto the garment. This creates vibrant, durable prints that work on cotton, polyester, fleece, nylon, and blends.
At Little Giant Productions, we’ve taken DTF further. Engineered for sharper detail, richer colours, stronger durability, and a flawless, glue-free finish — its ideal for affordable, long lasting personal or profesonal use.
Other benefits of DTF printing include:
-Wide colour range, including vibrant tones that hold up wash after wash.
-Ability to print on light and dark garments.
-Compatibility with challenging fabrics like fleece and nylon
Here are the basic steps of DTF printing:
- The design is printed onto a special transfer film with water-based inks
- The ink on the film is then coated with a special adhesive powder
- Then, the design is transferred onto the fabric using a heat press
While the process seems lengthy, involving multiple steps and actions, print time for one garment is just a few minutes.
DTG VS. DTF
If you’re looking for the short answer, here it is: both DTG and DTF deliver excellent results—it just depends on your design and fabric.
-DTG shines on natural fabrics like cotton. It produces soft, breathable prints that feel embedded into the fabric and work best for bold, simple designs.
-DTF raises the bar for versatility. It works across a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, fleece, and blends, delivering vibrant colors, crisp details, and a flawless finish — especially for complex, colourful artwork.
That’s the quick takeaway. But if you want to see how they stack up in detail—print quality, durability, and best-use scenarios—read on! While these printing methods may seem similar, they have substantive differences. Both provide awesome results, but there’s more than meets the eye.
Print quality and durability
DTF print quality is excellent. Even though the print has a plastic feel and might be slightly stiff initially, it’ll wear in after a few washes. Other than that, DTF prints are smooth and elastic, which ensures longevity. The prints are resistant to cracking and can handle heavy use and cold to lukewarm washes without fading colour. However, the design may develop small cracks if garments are washed in very hot water.
The DTF method is excellent for printing photos, colorful designs, graphics, and fine art. The results will be amazing because the ink doesn’t soak into the fabric but is pressed on top. Plus the print is very thin, so it doesn’t feel bulky. DTG printing also provides fantastic print quality with a lightweight feel. Initially, a fresh print may feel slightly rough, but it'll smooth out after a few washes. The DTG technique is great for printing colourful designs, graphics, text, and more. These prints always look great, but some factors may influence the outcome of the print. For example, since the fabric soaks up the ink, the print may be less vibrant, especially on black or colorful garments.
When you follow the printed garment’s care instructions, the prints will last a long time. They won’t crack or peel. However, over an extended time (and many, many washes), colours may start to lose a bit of vibrancy. That said, the prints will remain fully intact. You may be surprised at how durable these prints are!
Print complexity
When it comes to print complexity, DTF prints are unmatched. DTF printing supports photos, detailed, full-color designs, fine art, small text, graphics, and more. The prints are sharp, clear, and realistic, so they’ll be close to the original design. What’s more, you can print gradients. However, keep in mind that the DTF print’s base (finishing colour layer) is white ink, which may affect the gradient or transparency of your design.
DTG prints also support colourful designs, graphics, photos, fine art, small texts, and more. These prints are vivid, clear, and detailed. But remember that the fabric soaks up the ink, which may affect the clarity of the design. It’s also tricky to print gradients with DTG, so you'll want to keep them limited and ensure your design is adjusted accordingly. You can learn more about transparency in DTG printing here.
Colour vibrancy
DTF printing uses primary colours (known as CMYK or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and white ink for the base. Every design will be vibrant and vivid, no matter the fabric colour or type. DTG printing also relies on the CMYK colour model to print all designs, with our in-house technology using Red and Green as well (CMYKRG). The prints have a white ink underbase, but only when the design is printed on black or colourful garments.
The white ink underbase isn’t used for printing designs on white fabrics.
Since the ink is jetted directly onto the fabric, it soaks up some of the colour. As a result, the vividness of the print is reliant on the product’s absorbency and can vary between different product types. The prints on some more challenging garments, for example, may not come out as bright or vivid as with DTF printing.
Still, DTG produces some awesome prints!
Fabric suitabilityOne of direct-to-film printing’s advantages is that it’s possible to print on various fabrics. This flexible printing method can be applied to polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon, and such fabric blends. The material will not affect the print, giving you more product options to design for your store.
Unlike DTF printing, DTG is best suited for natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, linen, or such fabric blends. That’s because the ink binds with the natural fabric fibres better than synthetic fabrics. That said, DTG can still effectively print on many cotton-blended products that include synthetic fibres as well. This allows DTG to still cater to a wide and varied range of trending products.
Quantity
If you’re looking for a printing technique that suits print-on-demand production (POD), DTF printing is a great option. It’s possible to print just one shirt or bulk order custom T-Shirts; both options fit well with on-demand production. The same goes for DTG technology—it’s perfect for small and large orders. DTG is one of the most popular printing methods among dropshipping companies, as it’s easy to use this printing technique for as many items as you need.
Eco-friendliness
If you’re looking for a sustainable fulfillment method, DTF printing is a solid choice. This technique allows printing one-offs, so you won’t have to worry about unsold stock. Being able to make products on demand also eliminates overproduction. The inks used in direct-to-film printing are water-based and non-toxic, so they’re environmentally friendly. The transfer film used for the design is usually recyclable, so the printing process mostly creates no waste.
DTG is also a good option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly fulfillment method. Waste in the process as a whole is very minimal. Like with DTF printing, you can print one-offs with the DTG technique. Making products on demand eliminates overproduction since items are only made when an order comes in. Our DTG machines produce almost zero wastewater and use less energy, lowering the carbon footprint.
Moreover, Kornit digital printers use water-based vegan inks that they formulate, test, and produce in their own ink factories. The inks are non-hazardous, toxin-free, biodegradable, and contain no animal by-products.
DTF printing and DTG: what designs are each printing process better for?
After exploring each printing method in depth, it’s clear that both provide amazing results and suit businesses with POD production. However, each print provides a different outcome, which can enhance or spoil your design. Let’s recap each technique.
When to choose DTF printing
DTF and DTFlex is the right choice if you want to sell apparel made from fabrics that don’t always work well with DTG, like polyester, nylon, fleece, and certain blends. It’s also available on selected accessories, such as hats. This gives your store more variety while maintaining consistent quality.
Choose DTF if your designs are:
-Highly detailed or intricate
-Colourful and complex
-Intended to stand out with sharp edges and vibrant tones
Our DTF is engineered to deliver retail-quality prints where every line and shade matters.
One thing to keep in mind: if your design covers a large solid area (like a fully filled rectangle or block), DTF may not be the most comfortable option. Because the print sits on the fabric as a layer, oversized solid areas can feel less breathable and heavier to wear. For best results, use DTF on detailed designs, logos, or graphics rather than full-coverage prints. We encourage you to try both methods—this way you can choose the technique that best fits your brand vision.
When to choose direct-to-garment printing.
If you want to sell cotton and cotton-blend garments or products made with other natural materials, the DTG technique will be the best. With this method, you can print apparel and accessories like tote bags, so you'll have plenty of choices. While DTG can reproduce small details, it won’t always be as crisp as DTF. But for everyday apparel and bold, straightforward designs, DTG is an excellent choice.
Direct-to-garment prints are durable, long-lasting, and great for printing larger designs, as the prints are breathable. Just make sure to follow the garment’s care instructions. It’s one of the most popular printing methods in the world, so not much can go wrong with direct-to-garment prints. You can try out this technique depending on your needs and designs and see if the results match your expectations.
-DTG shines on natural fabrics like cotton. It produces soft, breathable prints that feel embedded into the fabric and work best for bold, simple designs.
-DTF raises the bar for versatility. It works across a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, fleece, and blends, delivering vibrant colors, crisp details, and a flawless finish — especially for complex, colourful artwork.
That’s the quick takeaway. But if you want to see how they stack up in detail—print quality, durability, and best-use scenarios—read on! While these printing methods may seem similar, they have substantive differences. Both provide awesome results, but there’s more than meets the eye.
Print quality and durability
DTF print quality is excellent. Even though the print has a plastic feel and might be slightly stiff initially, it’ll wear in after a few washes. Other than that, DTF prints are smooth and elastic, which ensures longevity. The prints are resistant to cracking and can handle heavy use and cold to lukewarm washes without fading colour. However, the design may develop small cracks if garments are washed in very hot water.
The DTF method is excellent for printing photos, colorful designs, graphics, and fine art. The results will be amazing because the ink doesn’t soak into the fabric but is pressed on top. Plus the print is very thin, so it doesn’t feel bulky. DTG printing also provides fantastic print quality with a lightweight feel. Initially, a fresh print may feel slightly rough, but it'll smooth out after a few washes. The DTG technique is great for printing colourful designs, graphics, text, and more. These prints always look great, but some factors may influence the outcome of the print. For example, since the fabric soaks up the ink, the print may be less vibrant, especially on black or colorful garments.
When you follow the printed garment’s care instructions, the prints will last a long time. They won’t crack or peel. However, over an extended time (and many, many washes), colours may start to lose a bit of vibrancy. That said, the prints will remain fully intact. You may be surprised at how durable these prints are!
Print complexity
When it comes to print complexity, DTF prints are unmatched. DTF printing supports photos, detailed, full-color designs, fine art, small text, graphics, and more. The prints are sharp, clear, and realistic, so they’ll be close to the original design. What’s more, you can print gradients. However, keep in mind that the DTF print’s base (finishing colour layer) is white ink, which may affect the gradient or transparency of your design.
DTG prints also support colourful designs, graphics, photos, fine art, small texts, and more. These prints are vivid, clear, and detailed. But remember that the fabric soaks up the ink, which may affect the clarity of the design. It’s also tricky to print gradients with DTG, so you'll want to keep them limited and ensure your design is adjusted accordingly. You can learn more about transparency in DTG printing here.
Colour vibrancy
DTF printing uses primary colours (known as CMYK or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) and white ink for the base. Every design will be vibrant and vivid, no matter the fabric colour or type. DTG printing also relies on the CMYK colour model to print all designs, with our in-house technology using Red and Green as well (CMYKRG). The prints have a white ink underbase, but only when the design is printed on black or colourful garments.
The white ink underbase isn’t used for printing designs on white fabrics.
Since the ink is jetted directly onto the fabric, it soaks up some of the colour. As a result, the vividness of the print is reliant on the product’s absorbency and can vary between different product types. The prints on some more challenging garments, for example, may not come out as bright or vivid as with DTF printing.
Still, DTG produces some awesome prints!
Fabric suitabilityOne of direct-to-film printing’s advantages is that it’s possible to print on various fabrics. This flexible printing method can be applied to polyester, cotton, fleece, nylon, and such fabric blends. The material will not affect the print, giving you more product options to design for your store.
Unlike DTF printing, DTG is best suited for natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, linen, or such fabric blends. That’s because the ink binds with the natural fabric fibres better than synthetic fabrics. That said, DTG can still effectively print on many cotton-blended products that include synthetic fibres as well. This allows DTG to still cater to a wide and varied range of trending products.
Quantity
If you’re looking for a printing technique that suits print-on-demand production (POD), DTF printing is a great option. It’s possible to print just one shirt or bulk order custom T-Shirts; both options fit well with on-demand production. The same goes for DTG technology—it’s perfect for small and large orders. DTG is one of the most popular printing methods among dropshipping companies, as it’s easy to use this printing technique for as many items as you need.
Eco-friendliness
If you’re looking for a sustainable fulfillment method, DTF printing is a solid choice. This technique allows printing one-offs, so you won’t have to worry about unsold stock. Being able to make products on demand also eliminates overproduction. The inks used in direct-to-film printing are water-based and non-toxic, so they’re environmentally friendly. The transfer film used for the design is usually recyclable, so the printing process mostly creates no waste.
DTG is also a good option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly fulfillment method. Waste in the process as a whole is very minimal. Like with DTF printing, you can print one-offs with the DTG technique. Making products on demand eliminates overproduction since items are only made when an order comes in. Our DTG machines produce almost zero wastewater and use less energy, lowering the carbon footprint.
Moreover, Kornit digital printers use water-based vegan inks that they formulate, test, and produce in their own ink factories. The inks are non-hazardous, toxin-free, biodegradable, and contain no animal by-products.
DTF printing and DTG: what designs are each printing process better for?
After exploring each printing method in depth, it’s clear that both provide amazing results and suit businesses with POD production. However, each print provides a different outcome, which can enhance or spoil your design. Let’s recap each technique.
When to choose DTF printing
DTF and DTFlex is the right choice if you want to sell apparel made from fabrics that don’t always work well with DTG, like polyester, nylon, fleece, and certain blends. It’s also available on selected accessories, such as hats. This gives your store more variety while maintaining consistent quality.
Choose DTF if your designs are:
-Highly detailed or intricate
-Colourful and complex
-Intended to stand out with sharp edges and vibrant tones
Our DTF is engineered to deliver retail-quality prints where every line and shade matters.
One thing to keep in mind: if your design covers a large solid area (like a fully filled rectangle or block), DTF may not be the most comfortable option. Because the print sits on the fabric as a layer, oversized solid areas can feel less breathable and heavier to wear. For best results, use DTF on detailed designs, logos, or graphics rather than full-coverage prints. We encourage you to try both methods—this way you can choose the technique that best fits your brand vision.
When to choose direct-to-garment printing.
If you want to sell cotton and cotton-blend garments or products made with other natural materials, the DTG technique will be the best. With this method, you can print apparel and accessories like tote bags, so you'll have plenty of choices. While DTG can reproduce small details, it won’t always be as crisp as DTF. But for everyday apparel and bold, straightforward designs, DTG is an excellent choice.
Direct-to-garment prints are durable, long-lasting, and great for printing larger designs, as the prints are breathable. Just make sure to follow the garment’s care instructions. It’s one of the most popular printing methods in the world, so not much can go wrong with direct-to-garment prints. You can try out this technique depending on your needs and designs and see if the results match your expectations.
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