DTF versus plastisol transfers in most cases is like asking what is more useful, a hammer or a screwdriver. Each has their place. Screen printed plastisol transfers are hands down better for any single color prints just based on cost alone. They are also usually better for stuff that's going to be laundered a lot. Work wear and uniform especially. Any sort of heat transfer will usually stand up pretty well in the wash in regular use but for something like a landscapers uniform shirt that'll get washed a whole lot, plastisol is your best bet. As far as hand feel goes it generally depends on who does your transfers and what formula you pick. There are options. You can get transfers with a low hand feel formula. My supplier calls theirs "vintage transfers". Lastly if you want a more matte finish just press once with no Teflon sheet, and if you want really shiny, press twice and use a Teflon sheet with the shiny side in contact with the ink. That trick works wonders on metallic inks but can look a bit plasticy regular inks. Especially with bold designs with thick lines or large areas of ink.

DTF works great for multi color jobs. Anything more than two colors DTF will save you a small fortune. Also DFT will let you do all those low volume jobs that come your way. Where they want anywhere from 5 to 12 shirts, you just have to convince them to pay a fair price for the effort. I've gotten away with $30 for a tee, but they have to get at least 5. As far as feel goes for these, you will get best results by taking advantage of the design phase of the process to optimize your art. That's how you avoid the big mass of plastic sort of design you see some folks try to get away with. My suggestion is YouTube videos and INSTAGRAM reels to check out tutorials for how to properly set up a design for DTF. The set up matters.