DTF printing vs 3D printing: what’s the difference
People regularly contact me looking for “DTF printing in Lviv” and are then surprised to have landed on a 3D printing website. The names are similar and both are “printing”, but they are completely different technologies. It’s like comparing a document printer and a 3D printer — both print, but the results are entirely different.
My name is Artem Pronin, and what I do is 3D printing in Lviv. DTF printing isn’t my field. But since people search for it and mix them up, I’ll explain both technologies so you can work out straight away what you need.
What is DTF printing?
DTF stands for Direct to Film — literally “printing onto film”. It’s a technology for applying images to fabric: T-shirts, hoodies, bags, caps.
How it works:
- A special printer prints the image onto PET film
- Hot-melt powder (adhesive) is applied to the wet print
- The film is dried and heated
- The finished transfer is placed on the fabric and pressed with a heat press at 160–170°C
The result is a bright full-colour print on a T-shirt. It holds up well and survives washing. One print costs roughly 50–200 UAH depending on its size.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing is the creation of physical three-dimensional objects layer by layer. I work with FDM technology — a plastic filament is melted and laid down in layers, gradually forming the part.
What can be printed:
- Electronics enclosures
- Product prototypes
- Spare parts that aren’t on sale
- Mounts, holders, adapters
- Decorative figurines and souvenirs
Comparison table: DTF vs 3D printing
| Parameter | DTF printing | 3D printing (FDM) |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Applies images to fabric | Creates three-dimensional plastic parts |
| Result | A print on a T-shirt/textile | A physical 3D object |
| Input file | PNG/JPG image | STL/OBJ 3D model |
| Colours | Full-colour CMYK | One colour at a time |
| Price | 50–200 UAH per print | From 5 UAH/g (PLA) |
| Time | 5–15 minutes | From 30 min to 20+ hours |
When you need DTF printing
DTF is your option if you want to print a logo on T-shirts, make merch for a brand or give a friend a T-shirt with a fun print. Plenty of studios in Lviv do DTF printing — search for “DTF printing Lviv” or “T-shirt printing Lviv”.
When you need 3D printing
3D printing is for when you need a physical object. A part has broken and isn’t on sale. You need an enclosure for your electronics project. You’re making a prototype of a new product.
That’s what I do. I print in PLA and PETG plastic, with prices from 5 UAH/g. I print from a ready-made 3D model (STL, OBJ, STEP or 3MF); if there’s no model, I’ll tell you where to find a ready-made one (on Printables, Thingiverse or MakerWorld) or who can make it.
You found me by searching “DTF printing” — what now?
If you need DTF printing (prints on clothing), I’ll tell you honestly — I’m not the right person. I specialise in 3D printing three-dimensional parts.
But if you’ve happened to learn about 3D printing and realised you need it too, get in touch. Perhaps you need a custom phone holder or a spare gear for your coffee machine.
Contact me: +380 97 876 00 36 or via the contacts page. I work in Lviv and across Ukraine — delivery by Nova Poshta.
Don’t want to prepare the file yourself? Send the model as it is — we’ll check it, fix any errors and quote it within an hour.
