Printers for Makers & Etsy Sellers: Print on Demand DTG & DTF Printers for Small Businesses

Meet DTG & DTFilm Printing

Here you’ll find a go-to guide for DTG and DTFilm printing with MakeON, a portfolio of printers for makers like you. Learn the process, uncover the possibilities, and get all the tips to help you get started.
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How DTG Printing Works

DTG technology follows a straightforward step-by-step process that will have you producing personalized apparel and soft goods in no time.
High school football logo with tiger mascot.
Design
Create your artwork using your favorite design software, and let your creative spirit shine.
Spray bottle.
Pre-Treat
If you’re printing white ink onto a darker-colored base fabric, pre-treatment prepares your garment for printing.
T-shirt printed with tiger mascot logo, hanging on hanger.
Print
The magic is in the name. With DTG printing, your designs go straight from the printer onto your desired item.
T-shirt printed with tiger mascot logo, on heat press.
Cure
Use a heat press to set the ink onto the fabric and reveal your finished custom creation!
Two hands hold up t-shirt printed with candy company mascot.
Smiling man holding baby onesie printed with cheer team design.
Woman leaning on stack of printed hoodies in front of clothing rack.
Smiling woman holding t-shirt printed with high school football tiger mascot design.
Woman wearing backpack tote printed with high school mascot design.
Two outstretched arms holding hats printed with tiger and candy designs.
Two hands hold up t-shirt printed with candy company mascot. Smiling man holding baby onesie printed with cheer team design. Woman leaning on stack of printed hoodies in front of clothing rack. Smiling woman holding t-shirt printed with high school football tiger mascot design. Woman wearing backpack tote printed with high school mascot design. Two outstretched arms holding hats printed with tiger and candy designs.

How DTFilm Printing Works

DTFilm takes a different path and works on a wider variety of textiles and applications than DTG, like uniquely shaped fabric items.
Surfing dog mascot illustration.
Design
Design your artwork using the software of your choice, so it’s exactly as you envision it to be for your finished product.
DTFilm sheet printed with reversed surfing dog mascot illustration.
Print
Print your graphics onto specialty film. CMYK prints first, then white, and your graphics will appear mirrored on the film.
DTFilm adhesive powder.
Apply Powder
While the ink is still wet, evenly apply the adhesive powder over the entire printed design, shaking off any excess, then cure with a heat press.
Smiling woman holding tote printed with surf dog mascot design.
Apply Design
Place your blank on the heat press, position the film, design-side down, onto the fabric, and press it, then peel away the film.

Get Started with DTG and DTFilm

Discover the possibilities available to you with DTG and DTFilm printing, which materials to use, and what it takes to get started printing your own designs on custom apparel.

What can I make?

What can I make?

Make T-shirts, hoodies, denim, shorts, baby onesies, tote bags with DTG, and even more with DTFilm capabilities, like backpacks, caps, and shoes!

What will I need for DTG?

What will I need for DTG?

Design software, Epson pre-treatment and a spray bottle, a heat press, and blanks.

Stick with cotton and cotton/polyester blend fabrics for DTG.

What will I need for DTFilm?

What will I need for DTFilm?

Design software, specialty film for DTFilm, DTFilm powder, powder shaker and oven (optional), heat press, and blanks.

Create on just about any fabric for DTFilm.

What else do I need to know?

What else do I need to know?

DTG and DTFilm printing is not recommended for hard surfaces.

DTG is more "breathable" and soft to the touch.

Epson SureColor F1070 DTG and DTFilm Printer

SureColor® F1070 Business Edition

Experience hybrid DTG and DTFilm print capabilities in a compact desktop design that lets you make a wide range of products.
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What Else Can You MakeON?

DTG and DTFilm aren’t the only ways to take on whatever you MakeON. Check out the full printer portfolio — including dye-sublimation and UV printing — and unlock even more creative printing possibilities.
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Commonly Asked Questions

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Yes. Our DTG printers can print directly on polyester t-shirts when polyester pre-treatment is applied.
Yes. When using white ink or printing onto polyester, pre-treatment is necessary.
Yes. We offer cotton pre-treatment and polyester pre-treatment.
Yes. You can purchase pre-treated T-shirts for DTG printing.
To maintain print quality, wash printed t-shirts inside out in cold water and follow the manufacturer’s care guidelines.
First, you must apply DTFilm adhesive powder and cure it. After that, you can either heat-press the graphics onto fabric right away or store the prepared film for later use.
No. You do not need to pre-treat the fabric.
You can decorate almost any type of fabric—even unique shapes like canvas shoes. All you need is a heat press or an iron to apply the transfer.
Transparent PNG files are typically used for printing.