White Toner Printer vs DTF Printer: Which is Better?

Starting an apparel printing biz? You have probably stumbled across two buzzworthy full-color printing options: White toner printers and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printers.

At first glance, they seem almost identical. Both use transfer films, require adhesive for application, can be stored for later use, and are impressively versatile, working on nearly any fabric and hard surfaces. But the big question is: which one is a better choice for you?

In this blog, we’ll unpack how each printer works, spotlight its pros (and cons!), and compare everything from setup costs to long-term durability. By the end, you’ll know which printer deserves a spot in your creative arsenal.

Understanding White Toner Printing

A white toner printer operates on the same laser-based printing technology found in standard laser printers. The key difference is an additional white toner cartridge, crucial for printing on dark and transparent surfaces (beyond paper and fabrics).

How it works

Here’s the basic workflow of a white toner printer:

1. The digital design sent to the printer is first broken down into separate color layers (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), and an additional white layer.

2. Inside the printer, a laser beam projects the design onto a rotating drum that carries an electrostatic charge. This charge attracts toner particles to the specific areas forming the image.

3. The transfer sheet, now covered with toner, passes through heated rollers, fusing the toner particles into the film.

4. The printed sheet from the laser printer is called A film. It’s heat-pressed with a transfer sheet, B, which adds adhesive to the design film.

5. Sheet B is peeled, the design is placed on the substrate, and heat pressed.

Pros

• Printers are compact and fit on a tabletop.
• Require less maintenance.
• Changing consumables is easy.
• No ventilation is required.

Cons

• Higher setup and printing costs.
• May not well-suit higher production needs.

Understanding DTF Printing

Direct-to-film (DTF) is a modern transfer printing method designed specifically for textiles. DTF uses inkjet-based liquid ink printing to create detailed, vibrant prints that can be transferred onto almost all fabrics.

Unlike other garment printing methods (like DTG), this process eliminates the need for pretreatment and allows high-resolution, full-color designs with superior stretchability and durability.

How it works

To create a DTF print, the following steps are followed:

• The digital artwork is prepared and sent to RIP software, which adjusts it for printing with a DTF printer.
• The DTF printer prints the design in reverse onto a PET film, using CMYK pigment-based inks, followed by a white ink layer.
• The printed film is coated with a fine TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) adhesive powder, which sticks only to the wet ink areas.
• The powder-coated film is placed in a curing oven or under a heat press to activate the adhesive.
• The cured DTF transfer film can be stored or heat-pressed onto the fabric.

Pros

• Excellent color vibrancy.
• Supports roll printing.
• The process can be automated.
• DTF Prints last between 50 to 100 washes.
• Low cost per unit, ideal for high production.

Cons

• Some converted DTF options require frequent maintenance.
• The setup requires a ventilation unit.

Differences between White Toner Printers and DTF Printers

We have covered the basics of both printer types, along with some of their pros and cons. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. A detailed head-to-head comparison will reveal even more about each method.

Before that, here’s a quick overview of how these two printing technologies stack up against each other.

Printing Supplies

Both White Toner and DTF printers operate on entirely different printing principles, so their printing supplies (inks and adhesives) are not interchangeable.

The only similarity is that both transfer designs onto a PET film. However, when it comes to inks, they are entirely different. White toner printers are laser-based and use dry powder in the form of toner, while DTF printers require liquid inks filled in cartridges.

Another difference is the adhesive application. In DTF printing, a powdered adhesive is applied to the print while the ink is still wet. In contrast, white toner printing uses a heat-activated adhesive sheet (B film) that is attached to the printed transfer (A film) before applying it to the substrate.

DTF prints also require a curing oven and an air-purification or ventilation system for properly curing the adhesive. On the other hand, the adhesive sheet in white toner prints can be easily applied to the toner print using a standard heat press.

Material Compatibility

Most printing methods have fabric limitations. For example, sublimation printing works best on polyester and synthetic fabrics. However, when it comes to white toner and DTF printing, material flexibility is a key advantage.

Designs made using White toner printers work equally well on almost all fabrics, including both synthetic materials (like polyester) and natural fibers (like cotton). The presence of white toner ensures that designs stand out on darker fabrics.

Color Vibrancy and Durability

Since both printers use different ink mediums, the difference is visible in the final results. If you’ve ever compared laser and inkjet prints, the contrast is quite similar here.

DTF printing, which uses liquid pigment inks, delivers exceptionally vibrant colors with deep saturation and smooth gradients. In contrast, White toner printing produces colorful prints but lacks the same level of vibrancy and richness that ink-based printing achieves.

Durability is another area where DTF prints shine. They are highly resistant to washing, lasting between 50 to 100 washes while retaining their color integrity. White toner prints, on the other hand, typically remain prominent for 15 to 50 washes, though this can be extended with high-quality transfer films.

Design Feel

Both DTF and white toner prints create a layered design that sits on top of the fabric rather than embedding into it. However, the texture and feel of both prints is different.

White toner prints have a more plasticky feel, especially on larger designs, and can feel slightly stiff when touched. On the other hand, DTF prints feel much softer. Moreover, they do have better stretchability.

Machine Size and Setup

DTF printers are usually bulkier and require a dedicated workspace, particularly those units with an integrated curing oven. But their large gives an advantage: these printers can handle wider transfer films (upto 24") and support continuous roll printing, making them better suited for large-scale production.

Comparatively, white toner printers are compact and fit easily on a standard desktop. However, their smaller footprint means they are limited to fixed-size transfer sheets (A3/A4 sheets), much smaller than what DTF printers can handle.

Print Speed

If we take into account the printing technology, laser printers are significantly faster than traditional inkjet printers. The same principle applies to white toner printers, which rely on laser technology for quick and efficient printing.

However, the way speed is measured differs between the two machines. White toner printers handle individual sheets, while DTF Printers work with continuous PET film rolls.

The speed of a white toner printer is measured in pages per minute (ppm). Normally, it’s in the range of 16 to 50 ppm for A3/A4-sized sheets.

In contrast, DTF printing speed is measured in square feet per hour, starting at around 10 square feet per hour for entry-level models and reaching 100+ square feet per hour for industrial DTF printers.

Toner printers seem much faster, and in some cases, they certainly are. However, if we consider the bigger picture, printing on long PET film rolls instead of fixed sheets is more time-efficient and cost-effective. A continuous film setup reduces downtime since multiple designs can be printed in one go.

Setup Costs

One of the biggest advantages of DTF printing is its low entry barrier. Some existing inkjet printers can be converted into DTF printers, and DIY DTF setups are available for under $3,000.

However, for business-grade DTF printers, the price quickly surpasses $20,000, and industrial DTF units can be even more expensive than white toner printers. Moreover, DTF printing requires a curing oven, which adds to the initial investment.

In comparison, white toner printers start at around $4,000, with most business-friendly units falling in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. While entry-level white toner printers are more expensive than DIY DTF setups, their median price is lower than industrial DTF printers.

When it comes to printing supplies, DTF inks are generally cheaper than white toner cartridges. However, replacing toner cartridges is much simpler and cleaner compared to handling DTF ink.

Cost per Print

For entry-level users, White Toner Printers are an expensive upfront option compared to DTF. However, for business owners looking at larger production scales, the cost dynamics change.

Over time, investing in a larger DTF unit can result in lower printing costs. On average, the cost to print an A3-sized design using DTF is approximately $0.80, whereas white toner printing costs around $2.50 for an A4-sized sheet. This makes DTF the more cost-efficient option for bulk production.

Maintenance Myths

One of the reasons why white toner printers are usually preferred over DTF printers is because they require less frequent maintenance. Dry toner printers can sit idle for days without affecting performance, whereas DTF inks are prone to clogging if not used regularly.

This is true for most DTF printers on the market. However, some modern printers, like xTool Apparel Printer, have automated systems in place. These systems constantly monitor printer conditions, alert users, and circulate white ink to prevent clogging. With proper maintenance systems, these printers stay healthy even during periods of inactivity.

White toner Printer vs DTF Printer: Which One to Choose?

By now, you might have figured out which method suits your needs. If not, here’s a breakdown of the best use cases for each technology:

Choose a White toner printer if:

• You’re a small business or hobbyist focusing on quick one-off designs.
• Want a compact setup that fits on your desktop.
• You’re a weekend warrior and need a printer for occasional use.

Choose a DTF printer if:

• You work with multiple fabrics.
• Want to handle bulk production and print frequently for high-demand orders.
• Vibrant colors and fabric flexibility are a priority
• Need a cost-effective apparel printing solution.