What’s the Difference Between DTF and UV DTF?

Printing technology moves fast, and one of the most common questions we hear is: what’s the difference between DTF and UV DTF? 

The short answer: it’s all about the substrates you can print on, the workflow you follow, and the finish you get. Let’s dive in.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing 

DTF is designed for textiles. Your design is printed onto PET film using CMYK and white inks, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and then heat-pressed onto garments. 

✅ Perfect for: cotton, polyester, blends, and other fabrics 

✅ Flexible, durable prints with strong wash resistance 

✅ Requires oven curing and a heat press 

UV DTF Printing 

UV DTF is engineered for harder substrates. The design is printed directly to an A/B film with UV-curable inks, cured instantly with UV light, and transferred straight onto the product. 

✅ Perfect for: mugs, bottles, phone cases, tiles, glass, and rigid substrates 

✅ No oven or heat press required 

✅ Fast workflow with sharp, vibrant finishes 

Key Differences at a Glance 

DTF	UV DTF
Best for fabrics	Best for hard, non-porous items
Requires curing + heat press	Instantly cured with UV light
Flexible, soft-touch finish	Sleek, durable, label-like finish
Involves adhesive powder	No powder required

Which Technology Should You Choose? 

• Choose DTF if your focus is apparel and textile products. 

  
  

• Choose UV DTF if you want to customise hard goods with fast turnaround and durable results. 

Many businesses run both side by side to offer a complete product range. 

Featured Resolute Printers 

At Resolute, we provide both DTF and UV DTF solutions. Here are our leading systems: 

DTF Printers 

• R-Jet PRO DTF V8i – High-volume powerhouse for production environments. 

  
  

• R-Jet PRO DTF V4i – Mid-range workhorse combining speed and value. 

  
  

• R-Jet PRO DTF mini – Compact desktop printer, perfect for startups and small spaces. 

  
  
  
  

UV DTF Printers 

• R-Jet PRO DTF UVi – Space-saving UV system for hard substrates. 

  
  

• R-Jet PRO DTF UV61 – Larger format UV DTF printer for speed and versatility. 

  
  

The Bottom Line 

• DTF: For garments and fabrics. 

  
  

• UV DTF: For hard goods and rigid surfaces. 

  
  

• Resolute: The UK’s trusted source for both technologies. 

  
  

👉 Explore the full range of Resolute DTF and UV DTF printers here.