If you operate an embroidery business, you have likely encountered a familiar situation. A customer orders embroidered polo shirts and then asks, “Can you also print these T-shirts?”
Another customer may need a full-color logo on hoodies, photo-quality artwork for a promotional event, or personalized names and numbers on athletic apparel.
For many embroidery shops, these requests often mean outsourcing the work or turning down the order.
Outsourcing can reduce profit margins, extend production timelines, and limit your control over quality and customer satisfaction.
This is where DTF printing for embroidery businesses offers a significant advantage.
DTF printing enables embroidery businesses to produce vibrant, full-color transfers in-house using equipment that integrates seamlessly into an existing production environment. Rather than replacing embroidery, DTF complements it by expanding the products and services your business can offer while creating new revenue opportunities.
Why Embroidery Businesses Are Adding DTF Printing
Embroidery continues to be one of the most respected and profitable decoration methods in the custom apparel industry. Its premium appearance, durability, and professional finish make it the preferred choice for many applications.
However, embroidery is not the ideal solution for every design. Certain graphics are better suited for print, including:
- Full-color logos
- Photographic images
- Small, detailed text
- Large front or back graphics
- Complex gradients
Instead of telling customers that a particular application cannot be produced in-house, you can confidently offer another solution with DTF printing.
That flexibility not only helps secure additional orders but also strengthens customer relationships by positioning your business as a complete apparel customization provider.
Expand Your Product Offering with DTF
- Polo shirts
- Hats
- Jackets
- Bags
- Uniforms
With DTF printing, you can also offer:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
- Team apparel
- Spirit wear
- Promotional garments
- Employee uniforms
- Corporate event apparel
- Family reunion and commemorative shirts
Combine Embroidery and DTF on the Same Garment
- Embroidered left-chest logos with full-size printed back graphics
- Embroidered caps paired with matching printed apparel
- Corporate uniforms featuring embroidered branding alongside event-specific graphics
- Team uniforms with embroidered logos and printed player names and numbers
Bring Production In-House and Improve Profitability
- Reduced profit margins
- Longer turnaround times
- Additional shipping expenses
- Less control over product quality
- Delays in customer service
By producing DTF transfers in-house, businesses gain greater control over the production process while improving operational efficiency.
Benefits include:
- Faster order fulfillment
- Increased profit margins
- Improved quality control
- Greater production flexibility
- Reduced long-term production costs
DTF Printing Is Easier Than Ever to Implement
Choosing the Right DTF Printer
Every embroidery business has different production requirements. Some are introducing printed apparel for the first time, while others are already outsourcing substantial print volumes each month. ColDesi offers DTF systems designed to support businesses at every stage of growth.
Entry-Level Commercial Production
The ColDesi 12H2 DTF Printer provides an affordable entry into commercial DTF printing while delivering the quality and reliability growing businesses require.
It is an excellent solution for embroidery shops looking to bring outsourced production in-house without making a substantial capital investment.
Mid-Volume Production
As production demands increase, businesses can expand into larger systems, including:
High-Volume Production
For businesses operating at a commercial or enterprise level, ColDesi also offers production systems, such as the ColDesi 24H5E, designed to support demanding manufacturing environments.
Because the workflow remains consistent across the ColDesi product line, upgrading to larger equipment is straightforward as your business continues to grow.
Why Choose ColDesi?
Purchasing equipment is only one part of building a successful customization business.
The expertise, training, and support behind that equipment often make the greatest difference.
For more than 25 years, ColDesi has helped businesses succeed by providing industry-leading equipment backed by comprehensive customer support.
When you partner with ColDesi, you gain access to:
- Commercial-grade DTF printer systems
- Professional installation
- Comprehensive operator training
- U.S.-based technical support
- Continuing education resources
- Premium inks, film, powder, and production supplies
- Experienced account managers who understand the apparel customization industry
Looking Beyond Apparel? Add Hard-Surface Customization Too
Once you have expanded your embroidery business with DTF printing for apparel, the next opportunity is hard-surface customization.
Adding UV/DTF printing allows you to decorate products such as tumblers, drinkware, awards, promotional items, acrylics, metal, wood, and other hard goods, giving your customers even more reasons to purchase from a single supplier. Together, commercial embroidery and UV/DTF printing create a versatile production environment capable of managing a wider variety of customer requests while opening the door to new markets and additional revenue streams.
To learn how these two technologies work together, read our companion article, “Combining Commercial Embroidery and UV/DTF Printing for Custom Apparel Businesses.” You will discover how expanding beyond apparel can help transform your embroidery shop into a complete customization business capable of serving a broader range of customers and applications.
The Future of Apparel Customization Is Versatility
Today’s customers expect more options than ever before. Some projects call for embroidery. Others require vibrant, full-color graphics. Many benefit from combining both decoration methods.
Businesses that can offer multiple customization solutions are better positioned to increase average order values, capture new revenue opportunities, and build lasting customer relationships.
Adding DTF printing is about enhancing your existing business with another proven production method that allows you to serve more customers and continue growing.
