UV DTF vs Sublimation: What Every Custom Printer Should Know
- Martin Lowe
- 19 hours ago
- 5 min read
In the world of digital decoration, similar technologies often come head-to-head, with UK printer operations often asking the same question: Which is best? In this blog, we’ll be comparing UV DTF and sublimation. Each has its strengths, limitations, ideal use cases, and cost implications. For businesses seeking to diversify into rigid substrates and novel applications, UV DTF is emerging as a compelling alternative or complement to sublimation.
Below, we’ll break down how they compare and how Resolute’s R-Jet PRO DTF™ UVi and R-Jet PRO DTF™ UV61 bridge gaps in capability and open new revenue streams.
What is Sublimation?
Sublimation printing uses heat to convert ink into a gas that permeates into polymer-coated substrates (usually fabrics or specially coated hard goods).
It’s ideal for polyester textiles, mugs, phone cases (with sublimation-friendly coatings), polyester canvas, etc.
The print becomes part of the substrate, meaning soft feel on fabric and excellent washability (on proper substrates).
Limitations: substrate must handle heat and have a receptive coating (for hard goods). Also, colour fidelity and white coverage can be challenging, especially on dark or non-white surfaces.
What is UV DTF (Ultraviolet Direct-to-Film)?
UV DTF uses UV-curable inks printed onto a DTF film, then laminated, and finally transferred onto surfaces.
The “UV” aspect means the ink is cured using UV lamps, giving instant solidification and strong adhesion.
It enables printing on hard substrates, plastics, glass, metals, mugs, bottles, acrylic, etc.
Because the ink sits as a cured layer rather than permeating the substrate, you can achieve high opacity (including white) and very vibrant colours, plus more durability in some contexts.
Side-by-Side: Key Comparison
Feature | Sublimation | |
Best substrates | Polyester fabrics, heat-treatable coated hard goods | Wide range: plastic, glass, metal, wood, rigid materials + soft goods |
Feel / texture | “Soft” — ink embeds in fibres | Slight texture (layered ink) — more of a “print on top” |
White / opacity | Limited or no white (need white under base or pre-treated substrate) | Strong white ink capability, high opacity layering |
Durability | Good for fabrics (wash fastness), hard goods depend on coating | Excellent scratch, UV and abrasion resistance (depending on lamination and surface) |
Workflow speed & curing | Heat press time, dwell time, cooling | Instant curing via UV, lamination inline |
Colour vibrancy | Strong, but substrate limitations may mute colour | Very vivid, especially on non-white substrates |
Cost & consumables | Inks, coated substrates, heat press, pre-treatment | UV-curable inks, film, lamination, UV lamps |
Flexibility / creative range | Excellent for apparel and soft goods | More freedom — hard goods, unusual shapes, mixed media |
From a business perspective, UV DTF gives you the flexibility to tackle markets that sublimation can’t reach (or reaches with limitations), such as rigid objects, promotional items, signage, and custom hard goods, all while retaining strong performance on soft goods.
Spotlight on Resolute’s UV DTF Printers
Resolute offers two standout models in the UV DTF space: the R-Jet PRO DTF™ UVi and the R-Jet PRO DTF™ UV61.
Compact footprint: approximately 100 × 80 cm footprint on a wheeled stand.
Uses 2 Epson i1600 print heads.
Print width: ~32 cm.
Print speed: Up to 5 linear metres per hour.
Resolution: Up to 720 × 1440 dpi.
Ink set: CMYK + White + Varnish (“W + V”).
Integrated lamination and UV curing in-line.
Because of its size and performance, it's ideal for small-batch production, prototyping, or businesses wanting to expand into rigid goods without a massive footprint.
The UVi is often described as a “compact powerhouse” that enables printing on a wide range of substrates, including mugs, bottles, plastics, metals, and glass.
Designed for higher output and wider work.
Uses 3 Epson i1600 print heads.
Print width: ~57 cm (or 60 cm in some descriptions).
Print speed: Up to 10 linear metres per hour (in production mode).
Resolution: 720 × 1440 dpi.
Colour: CMYK + White + Varnish.
Built-in lamination and UV curing.
Geared toward medium-to-large volume production, where print width and throughput matter more.
The UV61 is positioned as the bigger sibling of the UVi, enabling double the meterage (i.e. about twice the throughput) while preserving print quality.
When to Choose UV DTF vs Sublimation (or Both)
Here are practical guidelines, drawn from both technologies and how Resolute positions its UV DTF solutions:
Product mix & substrate variety
If your business only focuses on polyester garments or very specifically coated hard goods, sublimation may still dominate.
But if you want to expand into non-coated mugs, bottles, acrylics, metal signs, phone cases, wood, etc., UV DTF enables you to add those to your catalogue — all on the same printer.
White and opacity needs
For printing on dark or non-white substrates (or clear substrates) where white ink or strong opacity is crucial, UV DTF typically delivers more reliable results.
Durability & environmental stress
UV-cured inks are more resistant to abrasion, scratching, moisture, and UV exposure (depending on lamination and surface treatment).
Sublimation is very durable on fabric, but for hard goods exposed to wear and tear, UV DTF often outperforms or is more flexible to adjust for protection.
Workflow & speed
Sublimation requires heating, dwell time, possibly cooling, and strict temperature control.
UV DTF offers more instantaneous curing via UV and may cut down on cycle time especially for rigid objects.
Print feel & aesthetic trade-offs
Sublimation’s main advantage is that you get a very soft “feel” because the ink is absorbed into the substrate.
With UV DTF, the print sits on or slightly above the surface (though with lamination you can minimise texture). For many applications, that’s acceptable or even an advantage (e.g. gloss, dimensionality).
Cost & risk diversification
Having both technologies in your arsenal gives you flexibility. If a particular job is incompatible with sublimation (say, a metal phone case), UV DTF can handle it.
Over time, the ability to serve more unique substrates and the perceived “premium” of hard-goods customisation can pay dividends.
How Resolute’s UV DTF Machines Help You Bridge the Gap
By featuring the R-Jet PRO DTF™ UVi and UV61, Resolute gives businesses a path to expand product lines without abandoning existing workflows:
The UVi, with its compact footprint and reasonable throughput (5 m/h), is a low-barrier entry into UV DTF, ideal for businesses testing demand in hard-surface customisation.
The UV61 scales that capability, providing wider print width (≈ 57 cm) and higher throughput (10 m/h), for customers ready to commit to higher-volume mixed production.
Both integrate lamination and UV curing in-line, simplifying the workflow and reducing handling.
They share ink systems (CMYK + White + Varnish) and Resolute’s consumables ecosystem, helping to minimise supply-chain complexity.
Because they both use Epson i1600 print heads and deliver high resolution (720×1440 dpi), they maintain print quality consistency across UV DTF production.
Together, these machines enable businesses to cross-sell and upsell: offer both textile and hard-goods customisation from the same print shop.
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