How DTF cost per print is calculated
DTF cost scales with the printed area. The calculator converts design size to square feet and multiplies by your film and ink cost per square foot, then adds a small allowance for powder and handling. Add the blank, and you have cost per unit.
DTG has no film. Cost is ink (which depends heavily on white ink use on dark garments) plus pretreatment and handling. On dark shirts, white ink is often the single biggest line in a DTG job.
DTF vs DTG: which costs less?
| DTF | DTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup per job | None | None (pretreat darks) |
| Cost driver | Film + ink area | Ink, especially white |
| Garments | Almost any fabric | Best on cotton |
| Small runs | Very economical | Economical |
| Batching | Gang many designs on one sheet | One garment at a time |
| Hand feel | Thin film layer | Softest, ink in the fibers |
DTF usually wins on cost and flexibility for mixed fabrics and small orders because you can gang many designs and sizes onto a single sheet. DTG wins on hand feel for cotton garments.
Pricing DTF and DTG jobs
- Price per print size tier (left chest, standard front, oversized front) rather than per square inch, so quotes are easy to read.
- Build in waste: misprints, test prints and a garment or two per order.
- Charge for labor. Pressing, folding and bagging time is real cost even when ink is cheap.
- Use the profit margin calculator to check your markup covers overhead, not just materials.