They are three different jobs. DTF is a full-colour film, including white. HTV is cut vinyl, usually one colour at a time. Sublimation is a dye that only bonds with polyester.
Which process does which job
DTF
HTV
Sublimation
What it is
A printed film you press on
Cut vinyl you press on
Dye that becomes a gas and bonds with polyester
Cotton
Yes
Yes
No
Polyester
Yes, with care for shine
Yes, with care for dye and shine
Yes, if it is light
White in the design
The film carries white ink
The vinyl is the colour
No white ink
Typical press
About 150–160°C for 10–15 seconds for a common cold peel
See the vinyl charts
Hotter and longer. See the sublimation charts
The HTV temperatures and the sublimation temperatures are on Heat press settings. This site does not copy those charts across. A common DTF cold peel, from Xpres, is 150–160°C for 10–15 seconds, medium, peeled cold. That is a short press beside a sublimation shirt press.
Choose DTF for a photograph or a full-colour design on cotton, blends, or dark polyester. Choose HTV for a flat name or a simple shape in one colour. Choose sublimation when the blank is light polyester, or a coated item sold for it, and you want the print in the fibre rather than on it.
The blank sets below are 100% cotton. The white chest takes DTF and it takes vinyl. It does not take sublimation dye. Heat press settings explains that limit. Pressing longer will not add polyester.
Common questions
Which one should I use for a name on a cotton shirt?
Heat transfer vinyl, if the name is one or two colours. DTF, if the name is full colour or has a fine picture with it. Not sublimation.
Can I press a DTF transfer at a sublimation temperature to make it tougher?
No. Sublimation temperatures are for a different process and a longer time. They are a good way to scorch a shirt and a bad way to apply a DTF film. Use the DTF sheet.
Sources
Xpres, how to DTF — powder cure, pre-press, 150–160°C for 10–15 seconds, cold peel, second press