Monthly Archives: January 2025

The world of garment printing is evolving rapidly, introducing innovative technologies that make printing on textiles faster, more efficient, and more versatile than ever. Among these advancements, Direct to Garment (DTG) and Direct to Film (DTF) printing stand out as game-changing methods for producing vibrant, high-quality designs on a variety of materials.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or exploring new ways to expand your printing business, understanding new technologies is key to staying ahead in a competitive industry.

In this blog, we’ll break down how DTG and DTF printing work, explore the benefits of each, and show you how SAi Flexi DTF DTG software makes these processes more streamlined and accessible than ever.

Ready to dive into the details? Let’s get started.

Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing

Direct to garment printing, often known as DTG printing, is the method of using a computer to transfer a digital image to a specialised printer that jets ink directly onto a textile or garment.

The way direct to garment printing operates is different from traditional screen printing in that you can swiftly print intricate images in numerous colours thanks to the relatively new technology. The print heads of a DTG printer spray CMYK ink and opaque white ink onto the surface of a garment. The ink dries and clings to the fabric by being heated, keeping the print in place.

Direct to Film (DTF) Printing

Direct to film printing is an even newer addition to the garment/textile printing industry. The process is slightly different from DTG in that, as the name implies, the design is not directly printed into the material but instead printed on a film before being transferred using a heat press.

The most notable advantage DTF has over DTG is that it allows you to print on most any type of fabric, such as polyester, nylon, rayon, spandex, cotton, etc. In DTG printing the only reliable material to print on is cotton.

SAi Flexi Software for DTG/DTF Printing

Direct to Film and Direct to Garment printing is one of the fastest-growing segments in our industry. SAi Flexi software for DTF DTG printing makes it easier than ever to diversify your business. A new, expanded feature set in Flexi simplifies artwork design and file preparation for DTF DTG printing, streamlining your workflow and saving you time on each job.

Benefits of SAi Flexi for DTF DTG Printing:

Easy to Use Interface

All DTF DTG tools are conveniently organized under one tab, so you won’t waste time scrolling through menu bars to find what you need. User-friendly dialog boxes allow you to quickly make changes to your artwork files. With Flexi, you spend less time preparing jobs and more time printing.

Versatile White Ink Workflow

White ink is an integral part of DTF DTG printing but can tricky if you don’t have the right software. Flexi gives you different workflow options for generating white layers quickly and easily. Whether you are working with .PNG or .TIFF files that have transparent backgrounds or artwork that contain no white at all, Flexi gives you the tools create transparencies, add masks, and assign white output channels with just a few clicks. For more precise output, you can also use Flexi to create multi-layer artwork with white on a separate layer from spot colours. Flexi gives you the versatility you need to easily handle different types of files without wasting time.

Higher Quality Prints Using Ink Removal

Everyone loves graphic tees, but no one wants a stiff, heavy print on their shirt. If you have a large print, you can give it a softer feel by using Flexi’s special DTF|DTG feature to “Remove Data in Texture Patterns”. This feature allows you to add squares, circles, or dash lines to your pattern. You can adjust the size and spacing of these elements to so less ink is deposited, giving your prints a high-quality, softer texture.

Less Material Waste – Preview Before You Print

Ink and media are expensive, which is why you want to make certain your job is set up correctly before you print. Flexi lets you preview each output channel within the Production Manager interface. Not only can you see how the white layer will print but you can also adjust the white ink density using a simple slider. With these Flexi tools, you can make certain the job is right without wasting ink and media.

Best of all, our textile design and printing software is available on a low-cost monthly subscription plan that easily fits your budget.

About SA International (SAi).

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, SA International (SAi) is recognised as the global leader in providing software solutions for the sign making, digital printing, textile, and CNC machining industries - from design to production.  SAi's Flexi family of software products rank as the world's number one software for sign making and digital printing, outselling all competitors combined.  Flexi is found on more wide-format printers than any other software.  In addition, the company is one of the leaders in the CNC machining and router markets with its EnRoute CAD/CAM software.

SAi has a large and loyal network of resellers around the world and has over 250,000 customers in more than 150 countries.  SAi enjoys strong OEM relationships with industry-leading manufacturers.  In addition to its USA headquarters, SAi has offices in Brussels, Belgium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China, Pune, India, Tel Aviv, Isreal and Tokyo Japan.

In the world of wide-format printing, colour management is not just a technical detail - it’s a cornerstone of quality and consistency. Whether you’re creating vibrant marketing materials, detailed fine art prints, or large-scale signage, ensuring accurate colour representation is critical to maintaining brand integrity and customer satisfaction.

The Challenges Of Maintaining Colour Fidelity

Wide-format printing comes with unique challenges. Variations in media types, ink formulations, and environmental factors can all affect colour output. Without proper management, what looks perfect on a screen might appear dull or inconsistent when printed. For businesses, this can lead to wasted materials, increased costs, and dissatisfied clients.

How ONYX Solutions Address These Challenges

ONYX’s award winning software simplifies colour management with powerful tools designed for precision and consistency:

• ONYX ColorCheck: This feature ensures colour accuracy by verifying output against industry standards. It allows you to detect and correct inconsistencies early, preventing costly reprints.
• Advanced Profiling Tools: ONYX provides robust profiling capabilities that adapt to various media and printer combinations. These tools help create and maintain colour profiles that guarantee accurate reproduction, no matter the material or application.
• Named Colour Replacement: Maintain a library of brand-specific colours to ensure every print adheres to exact branding requirements, essential for corporate identity and marketing campaigns.

Tips For Achieving Optimal Colour Output

1. Create Accurate Profiles
   Accurate ICC profiles are essential for reliable printing. Use profiling tools to match your printer, ink, and media, ensuring vibrant and consistent results tailored to your workflow.
2. Calibrate Regularly
   Printers and monitors naturally shift over time due to environmental changes and usage. Regular calibration helps maintain accuracy, especially when switching to new substrates or working in different conditions. ONYX Thrive’s ‘ColorCheck’ simplifies this process by creating a baseline swatch to detect variances and ensure consistency.
3. Use ONYX Tools
   ONYX software offers advanced tools like ‘ColorCheck’ and G7 calibration to monitor and adjust output quality. These features make it easy to spot and correct issues early, keeping your prints sharp and consistent.
4. Understand Your Media
   Each substrate has unique properties that affect how it interacts with ink. Testing and fine-tuning your profiles for different media ensures the best results, whether you’re printing on paper, vinyl, or specialty materials.

By combining these strategies with ONYX tools, you’ll maintain flawless colour consistency and deliver standout prints every time. Learn More With ONYX Understanding the nuances of colour management can elevate your printing results from good to exceptional. ONYX Graphics offers specialised color management training courses designed to deepen your expertise and empower your team with the knowledge to handle even the most complex projects. Take control of your colour today and see the difference ONYX can make in your workflow. For more details on training and ONYX solutions, contact PSW for further details

About Onyx Graphics, Inc.

Leading the market since 1989, Onyx Graphics is dedicated to helping customers increase productivity, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge with superior software solutions for the print industry. Innovative, productive, and delighted customers around the globe help motivate the company to develop and enhance its leading-edge technologies. Global channel partnerships and longstanding relationships with printer manufacturers position Onyx Graphics as a market leader in powerful, reliable, large-format printing workflow and print business software solutions.