DTG vs. Sublimation: Which Full-Color Process Is Right?

Full-color printing opens creative doors, but technique matters. Direct-to-garment (DTG) and sublimation printing solve different problems, and choosing the right one depends on fabric, design intent, and longevity expectations.

DTG prints liquid inks directly onto cotton and cotton-blend fabrics, producing detailed, photographic results with subtle color gradations. It’s excellent for short runs, sample printing, and designs heavy in color transitions. The hand feel can be very soft when paired with water-based inks and proper pre-treatment, but longevity depends on ink quality, pre-treatment, and care — wash temperature and detergent choice affect how long DTG stays crisp.

Sublimation, by contrast, uses heat to infuse dyes into polyester fibers. Because the dye becomes part of the fiber, sublimation prints never sit on top of the fabric and therefore won’t crack or peel. This method is ideal for performance fabrics, all-over prints, and bright, long-lasting color on polyester blends. However, sublimation does not work on natural cotton and tends to emphasize polyester hand and performance traits rather than the soft, natural feel of cotton.

At Inkstyles we recommend DTG for detailed artwork destined for cotton staples and sublimation for polyester-based athleisure or full-coverage designs. Both methods have sustainability considerations: water-based DTG inks and energy-efficient curing help reduce impact, while recycled polyester for sublimation reduces reliance on virgin materials. Matching art to method ensures the final product looks and performs as intended.