White Toner Printer Vs. DTF Printing: 
What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Written by Procolored - Published on Feb 6, 2025

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Written by Procolored - Published on June 5, 2025

Table of Content

White Toner Printer vs. DTF Printing: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
1. What Are They?
White Toner Printer
DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing

Similarities Between DTF and White Toner Printing

2. What Can You Print On?

3. Print Quality
White Toner Printers.
DTF Printing
4. Durability & Washability

White Toner Printing
DTF Printing
5. Setup & Ease of Use
White Toner Printer
DTF Printer

6. Cost Breakdown
7. Speed & Efficiency

White Toner Printer
DTF Printing
8. What They Are Best For…

White Toner Printer
DTF Printing
9. Key Differences Between White Toner Printers and DTF (Recap)

10. Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?
Title

Are you fascinated by custom apparel—those personalized t-shirts, branded merch, or custom mugs and tote bags? But, before you press “add to cart” on that shiny new printer, you are probably asking yourself: Should I choose a white Toner Printer or a DTF (Direct-to-Film) setup? That’s indeed a reasonable question—and a critical one.

 

Both are popular printing methods that let you create bold, full-color designs on several items, but built for different types of jobs, come with different costs, and offer a very different user experience. One is easy to maintain and highly versatile while the other excels in soft-feel prints and long-lasting washes on apparel.

 

If you’re overwhelmed by their tech specifications, price tags, and product demos, do not worry, we’ve got you covered.

 

This guide talks about exactly how these two printing methods compare, how perfectly to use them, and most importantly which option fits your optimal goals best—whether you are a hobbyist, a small business owner, or scaling up to full production.

 

So, Let's get into it.

What Are They?

If you are a beginner in the field of custom printing, terms like White Toner Printer or DTF (Direct-to-Film) may seem complicated or a little technical. However, there's really nothing as difficult to comprehend as they appear. Let’s break them down in simple language.

White Toner Printer

Think of this as an advanced version of a color laser printer. Instead of just using the standard CMYK colors, it  adds white toner— which is a big plus when dealing with dark or colored surfaces. It prints your design on a particular transfer sheet, which is afterward heat pressed onto your item.

 

The best part? It’s not limited to fabrics. The method works on shirts, mugs, wood signs, metal, paper, and even some plastic items . It's a true multi-surface machine—ideal for those who want to try printing on both clothing and hard goods.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing

The direct to film printer method specializes in printing on clothes. The process involves printing your design using specialized water-based inks on a film made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

 

DTF involves several other steps including applying a hot melt adhesive powder to the print and curing it with heat. The print is finally pressed onto the garment using a heat press.

 

The end results? Stunning, flexible, and exceptionally durable prints that feel amazing. If you are looking to produce stunning garments like t-shirts or hoodies, DTF machine will meet your requirements perfectly.

Similarities Between DTF and White Toner Printing

At first glance, DTF and white toner printing appear to be worlds apart. One uses ink while the other utilizes toner, one focuses on apparel while the other can be done on a variety of surfaces.

 

However, there are a few surprising similarities that might surprise you.

● Both use PET film which serves as the transferring medium to print the design on the item.
● Each printing technique utilizes white as a foundational layer , allowing full-color (CMY or CMYK) designs to stand out, particularly on darker or colored materials.
● The transfer films are treated with an adhesive to ensure proper adhesion of the design during heating.
● Transfers can be sold or stored for later use.
● Both techniques are capable of sharp and vivid prints where detail, color accuracy, and vibrant prints are maintained remarkably.
● Both workflows include the use of a heat press which is indispensable as it finalizes the bonding of the design to the surface.

What Can You Print On?

Feature

White Toner Printer

DTF Printer

T-Shirts

✅ Light & dark fabrics

✅ Light & dark fabrics

Cotton/Poly Blends

✅ Good

✅ Excellent

Hard Surfaces (Mugs, Wood)

✅ Yes

❌ Mostly for fabric

Synthetic Materials

✅ Limited

✅ Excellent

Print Quality

Let’s move on to print quality—arguably one of the most important factors and often the biggest deal-breaker (or maker) when choosing a printing method.


● White Toner Printers
For white toner printers, the print quality is superb especially for the text, logos and graphic elements. If you are producing merch with intricate details as well as bold typography, or corporate branding, this method is very effective.

But if the print is applied to fabric, it can feel unusually stiff or plasticky which is not great for apparel focused on fashion. It is stunning but does not score high on comfort.


● DTF Printing
DTF printing comes in where comfort and an abundance of color is needed. It provides rich, vibrant prints which have a smooth, flexible feel— like it’s part of the fabric itself. This makes it ideal for full-color artwork, photos and intricate illustrations.

 

Whether you are printing a stunning streetwear design or a delicate pastel graphic tee, DTF captures attention with the stunning results that are long lasting.

Durability & Washability

When it comes to custom apparel, how your t shirt printing holds up after multiple washes can make or break your reputation—and your customers’ satisfaction. Obviously, No one wants their favorite tee fading or cracking after just a few wears.


● White Toner Printing
With white toner prints, stunning images are incredibly easy to deliver. Despite that, their lasting period might get hindered. White toner prints rest on top of the fabric which makes them prone to cracking or peeling, especially for garments that stretch or undergo heavy wear.

For specialized items or short-term wear, they are excellent but might not hold up as well for apparel that sees frequent washing and active use


● DTF Printing
Known for its durability, DTF print are made with flexible inks and a special adhesive powder, ensuring proper bonds with fabric. Because of this, prints remain bright and captivating through repeated washing and restrain from cracking, peeling, or fading.

 

Furthermore, since the prints are glued onto the fabric, they are great for stretchy clothing such as sportswear or fashion-forward that need to last.

Setup & Ease of Use

If you’re diving into custom printing, how easy the equipment is to use can make a huge difference—especially if you're just getting started or don’t want to deal with a complicated setup.


● White Toner Printer
All white toner printers are known for being user-friendly because of their characteristics. They function similarly to office printers, so learning how to use them is simpler. Furthermore, there is no need for ink, no handling of powder, and the printer’s warm-up time is short.

To make things easier for creators who wish to begin printing on multiple surfaces, white toner provides great configurations.


● DTF Printer
DTF printing traditionally involved a more hands-on process—applying powder, curing films, and managing ink—but newer systems have significantly streamlined the experience.

 

Brands like Procolored DTF machines are so smooth that they make things easier even for beginners. Their Auto-Cleaning Printhead is especially impressive; which, when left on, automatically cleans every 10 hours , with 1 ml of ink a day.

 

This helps reduce time spent on maintenance, mitigates the need for constant supervision, and aids in preserving smooth operational printhead cleaning without manual effort.

 

Yes, DTF still involves a few extra steps and requires regular upkeep, but features like those included in Procolored’s DTF printers makes the process truly easy for small businesses and busy entrepreneurs alike.

Cost Breakdown

Cost Factor

White Toner Printer

DTF Printer

Starter Setup

$3,000–$7,000+

$1,500–$3,000+

Consumables (Toner/Ink)

High toner cost

Lower ink cost per print

Ongoing Maintenance

Low

Medium to High

Speed & Efficiency

When you're juggling customer orders or trying to launch a product line, time is money. How quickly you can produce high-quality prints can have a big impact on your bottom line.


● White Toner Printer
When it comes to focusing on one-off items, small batches, or custom pieces on demand, white toner printing has the edge. It offers quick turnaround time with minimum prep–something which is an absolute necessity for fast-paced work environments that prioritize time and flexibility.


● DTF Printing
DTF printing tends to be a bit slower per piece due to its multi-step process—printing, powder application, curing, and pressing, the reverse holds true for bulk orders. In high-volume production, especially with Procolored’s upgraded roller feeder’s automated features, everything changes.

This feeder minimizes jamming and reduces problems with film feeding, making the entire operation smoother and more reliable for large-volume jobs. DTF printing alongside such features is vibrant and batch-friendly, becoming highly appealing for apparel businesses.

What They Are Best For…

In determining whether to use a white toner printer or a DTF setup, your goals, focus product, and the printing frequency are key decision makers. Both have their pros and cons, but the best option always goes after the user’s intent and target audience.


● White Toner Printer
As for white toner printers, their best contestants are small stores, creators, and hobbyists who value versatility. From t-shirts to mugs, even tote bags, wood and acrylic, these printers can handle almost any surface with little to no change in setup.

If you are running an online shop for custom gifts or corporate merchandise, or print on demand items, this option enables you to test and make changes swiftly. It's also perfect for low-to-moderate orders, making it ideal for one-off designs or personalized gifts that don’t need a full production workflow.


● DTF Printing
DTF Printing excels in the apparel industry. If you want to launch a clothing brand, operate an Etsy shop, or sell custom bulk sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies, and even baby clothes, DTF is your best option.

It is meant for stunning prints with durability and large batch jobs with consistency. Thanks to modern machines like Procolored’s DTF Pro, small business owners can achieve professional results without a steep learning curve. Whether you’re selling at craft fairs or fulfilling hundreds of orders online, DTF gives you the quality, durability, and efficiency needed to scale.

Key Differences Between White Toner Printers and DTF (Recap)

Feature

White Toner Printer

DTF Machines

Printing Technology

Laser (toner-based)

Inkjet (liquid ink)

Color Vibrancy

Good (but can crack over time)

Excellent (soft feel, vibrant)

Production Speed

Faster for small batches

Slower due to powder curing

Cost Efficiency

Lower initial cost, higher per-print cost

Higher initial cost, lower per-print cost

1Material Compatibility    

Limited to certain transfer papers

Works on most fabrics

Durability

Moderate (depends on transfer method)

High (flexible & wash-resistant)

Learning Curve    

Easier for beginners

Requires more setup & technique

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you’re printing, how often, and how much control you want over the process.

 

Go with a White Toner Printer if you’re looking for a clean, versatile, and low-maintenance solution. It’s ideal for creators who want to easily switch between printing on apparel, mugs, tote bags, or other hard goods without much daily upkeep. If you value convenience and flexibility for small-batch or one-off jobs, this option will serve you well.

 

Go for DTF machines if you’re looking for custom apparel production with vibrant colors, soft finishes and wash durability. While those less experienced with DTF printers may feel overwhelmed at the start, advanced best DTF printers for small business like Procolored’s t shirt printers made the process far more navigable for beginners.

 

So, Yeah

● If you need a printer that is versatile and requires minimal setup for different materials, stick with white toner.

 

● If you focus on apparel and require impeccable quality, DTF printers are the answer.

 

Either way, you’re choosing a powerful tool—just make sure it aligns with your creative goals and business vision.

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About the Author - Simon

Simon has worked in inkjet printing industry for years.  He has the rare ability to see print related issues from many perspectives. Witnessing the gradual development of digital printing especially inkjet printing, Simon knows better about what the users are looking for and how the new technologies will truly help big or small businesses.

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and never miss our updates !
Thanks for contacting us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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