Same Image, Three Completely Different Results

People ask me all the time which halftone tool they should use for a given job. The answer is: it depends what you want the print to look like.

So I ran the same image through three different TheVectorLab tools to show you exactly what each one does. All three play nicely with DTF, DTG, and screen printing — but the results are very different.

DTF-TONES - keeps the art looking like the art

DTF-TONES is built specifically for prepping images for DTF (Direct to Film) and DTG (Direct to Garment). It strips the background color out of flattened images and replaces areas that are similar to your fabric color with transparent halftones. This you a noticeably softer, more breathable print on the shirt.

It also makes the print last longer. Solid ink fights the fabric and cracks over time - transparent halftones flex with it, so the design holds up wash after wash.

Out of these three tools, DTF-TONES preserves the original look of your artwork the most. That's because it only drops transparent halftones into the areas similar to your fabric color - the rest of the design stays intact.

Reach for this one when the goal is a faithful, softer print for DTF and DTG.

Knockout Halftones - bold, one-color, graphic punch

Knockout Halftones converts photographs and images into a one-color halftone on a transparent background. The dots and lines are oversized and very stylized — think classic poster art, not subtle gradient work.

This is the move when you want a graphic, single-color statement that prints cleanly on any color shirt.

ColorPop Halftones - full color, same stylized treatment

ColorPop Halftones gives you the same oversized, stylized halftone look as Knockout — but in full color. And if you want to soften the print, you can knock out the darkest (or lightest) color, which works beautifully for DTF, DTG and screen printing.

Use this when you want stylized halftones but don't want to lose the color story of the original image.

Quick way to choose

• Want to preserve the look of the original art? DTF-TONES
• Want a bold one-color graphic? Knockout Halftones
• Want stylized halftones in full color? ColorPop Halftones

Or grab all three at TheVectorLab.com and have every option ready when the right job comes through the door.