DTF

What is DTF Printing?

DTF printing, short for Direct-to-Film printing, is a revolutionary fabric decoration method quickly gaining popularity in the custom apparel industry. Unlike DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing, which is best suited for 100% cotton garments, DTF transfers are compatible with a wide variety of fabrics—including cotton, polyester, silk, nylon, denim, leather, and blended materials such as 50/50 or tri-blends.

With DTF, you can apply full-color, high-resolution designs to both light and dark garments, without the need for pre-treatment—just make sure the fabric is free of stain blockers or other chemical coatings.

How DTF Printing Works

Unlike screen printing, which requires a separate screen for each color, direct to film printing uses a commercial inkjet printer to create full-color designs on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. The printing process begins with color inks (CMYK), followed by a layer of white ink. This reversed order ensures the white ink becomes the underbase once the transfer is applied to a garment, making colors pop—even on dark fabrics.

After printing, a heat-activated adhesive powder is applied to the transfer film and cured in an oven. The design can then be heat-pressed onto garments at a later time, offering flexibility in production and inventory.

Benefits of DTF Transfers

  • Works on multiple fabric types (cotton, poly, nylon, etc.)
  • Vibrant, detailed prints on dark and light fabrics
  • No pre-treatment required
  • Print now, press later – store transfers and apply when needed
  • Ideal for short runs or bulk production

DTF Ink Features

Our DTF inks are water-based, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. These CMYK+White inks offer:

  • High color density with wide color gamut
  • Excellent color saturation and consistency
  • Outstanding washability and durability
  • OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification
  • CPSIA-compliant and safe for all ages

DTF Transfer Film Size

We use a roll-to-roll DTF printing system. Our transfer film is 35.4" wide, allowing print sizes up to 35" wide. However, we recommend keeping designs under 14" x 18" to accommodate standard heat press sizes. If you're purchasing DTF transfers only, confirm your heat press size before ordering.

Compatible Fabrics for DTF

DTF transfers work great on:

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Silk
  • Nylon
  • Denim
  • Leather
  • 50/50 and 60/40 blends
  • Tri-blends
  • And more

Note: DTF is not recommended for sublimated polyester garments, as dye migration can cause color bleeding.

How to Apply DTF Transfers: Step-by-Step Heat Press Instructions

For the best results when applying DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers, it's essential to follow the recommended heat press settings and procedures. Using the proper equipment and application method ensures vibrant, long-lasting prints on your garments.

Recommended Equipment:

Commercial-grade heat press only
Do not use a household iron or low-quality heat press, as they may not provide consistent heat or pressure.

DTF Transfer Application Instructions:

  1. Set Heat Press Temperature: 266°F to 284°F (130°C to 140°C) depending on fabric type.
  2. Pre-Press the Garment: Press for 5 seconds to eliminate moisture and wrinkles.
  3. Position the Transfer: Place the DTF transfer film onto the garment in your desired location.
  4. Cover the Transfer: Use parchment paper or a piece of craft paper to protect the design.
  5. First Press: Press for 15 seconds with medium to firm pressure.
  6. Peel the Film: Hot peel immediately after pressing.
  7. Second Press (Optional for Durability): Use a DTF finishing sheet and press again for 3–5 seconds.

Important Notes:

  • Always test on your specific equipment before beginning full production.
  • We are not responsible for transfer application issues on garments we do not press ourselves.

Recommended Design Software for DTF

Use vector-based software (Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW) for logos and clean graphics, and raster-based software (Photoshop) for photo-quality images. Keep in mind:

  • Vector files scale easily without loss of quality
  • Raster files degrade when enlarged
  • Avoid mixing color modes (CMYK, RGB, Spot, PMS) in one file
  • File should be sized to actual print dimensions and have a transparent background

DTF Color Mode and Print Accuracy

DTF Transfer Color Setup Guide: Best Practices for Accurate Color Results

When preparing artwork for DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers, understanding color modes and file setup is crucial for achieving vibrant, accurate prints.

DTF Transfer Ink Set:

  • DTF printers use a CMYK+White ink configuration.
  • For the most precise color reproduction, files should be designed in RGB color mode.
  • How Color Conversion Works:
  • Even though DTF printers output in CMYK, our professional RIP software automatically converts your RGB design files into CMYK for printing.
  • RGB mode provides the broadest color range and yields more consistent results when converted through our RIP system.

Color Matching Tips:

  • Exact Pantone (PMS) color matching is not supported.
  • To match specific shades, you can:
  • Print DTF color swatches or test charts near your desired colors.
  • Visually select the shade that most closely matches your target color.

Important Artwork Setup Guidelines:

  • Do not mix CMYK and RGB color modes within the same design file.
  • Avoid using Spot colors, PMS, or Pantone colors in your artwork files.
  • Keeping your file in a single color mode (preferably RGB) ensures better output and reduces conversion errors.

We do not offer refunds or reprints for artwork that doesn't follow file setup guidelines.

DTF Garment Care Instructions

To ensure long-lasting results:

  • Wait 24 hours before washing
  • Wash inside-out in cold water
  • Hang dry or tumble dry with no heat
  • Never iron directly over the print

Proper care can extend your DTF garment’s lifespan to 40+ washes.

Final Notes on DTF Printing

DTF transfers offer unmatched versatility for printing vibrant designs on a wide range of fabrics. They’re ideal for custom t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more. Whether you're a business looking to scale or a hobbyist customizing apparel, DTF printing delivers professional-quality results with flexibility and ease.

Artwork Setup Files:

For best results and to avoid artwork charges, artwork should come in the following format:

  • Vectored files are preferred.  Other acceptable options are EPS, PNG, PDF, & JPG (but only for photos since .jpg file have white backgrounds).
  • Color Mode set to RGB or CMYK.  Do not use Pantone/PMS/Spot colors.
  • A transparent background is required.  Anything that appears in your image on screen (including white backgrounds) will print.
  • 300 dpi image sized to be the actual print size you want on the shirt.
  • If using Photoshop, trim away the excess background (Image>Trim).  Your design should fill up the canvas. (Don’t send a 3″ x 3″ image on a 12″ x 10″ art board).
  • Items downloaded from the internet (unless purchased from artwork sites) are generally only 72 dpi-low resolution files, and in most cases, illegal to reproduce. If you don’t have professional graphic design software, you can hire one, or have us create something for you.
    NOTICE: Any files that come in another format will need to be converted to PNG format.  If not designed correctly, this could change the color profiles and will result in artwork charges.  Following the step-by-step instructions in the PDFs is critical for good results.

    

Interested in DTF?

Contact us below with the apparel & quantity you would like and upload the artwork you want produced. Let us know you're interested in the DTG decoration method and we will provide you with a free quote. Browse our catalogs to view some of the items we can provide for you, but keep in mind we have access to thousands of products that are not listed in these catalogs. You can supply your own apparel instead, just make sure it is new and correctly tagged.

BROWSE THE CATALOGS HERE.