YOUR GUIDE TO DIRECT-TO-FILM PRINTING
DTF TRANSFERS.MADE SIMPLE.
Turn your artwork into something people can wear. DTF transfers bring colorful logos, illustrations and photos to custom apparel. Here’s how they work, what you can make, and how to get a better result from your next order.
2–3 hour turnaround on all transfers
YOUR ART. FULL COLOR.
01 / THE BASICS
What is a DTF transfer?
DTF stands for direct-to-film. A design is printed onto a special carrier film, coated with a heat-activated adhesive powder, and cured. A heat press then bonds the design to the fabric. The carrier peels away, leaving the print on your garment.
At DTFOrder, you send the artwork and we prepare the transfers. You can order designs for your own heat press without buying or maintaining a DTF printer.
You create.
Upload your logo, artwork or photo. Choose the print dimensions and quantity for your project.
We print.
Your artwork is printed, coated and cured into a transfer that’s ready for heat application.
You make it real.
Position, press and peel using the instructions for your transfer. Finish with the recommended repress.
02 / WHY DTF?
More detail. More possibilities.
DTF is a practical option for custom merchandise, team apparel, business uniforms and personal projects. It brings detailed, multicolor artwork into a transfer you can apply when you’re ready.
Color without layering.
Print photographs, gradients and multicolor graphics together. You don’t have to assemble the design from separate colors of cut vinyl.
Light or dark garments.
A white ink backing supports the printed colors, helping artwork stand out across different garment colors.
A simpler setup.
Ready-to-press transfers avoid the garment pretreatment used in many direct-to-garment printing workflows. A suitable heat press does the application work.
03 / THE CANVAS
What can you make with DTF?
Cotton, polyester and cotton/poly blends are common choices. Match the transfer to the fabric and its heat tolerance, especially with coated or heat-sensitive materials.
T-shirts
Small chest logos, statement fronts and full back designs for personal projects, teams and collections.
Hoodies & sweatshirts
Give a fleece layer your own artwork. Choose a flat print area with room for the design.
Fabric tote bags
Turn a cotton or canvas tote into branded merchandise, an event gift or a favorite everyday bag.
Hats
Decorate a compatible fabric panel. A hat press or suitable attachment helps apply pressure to its curved shape.
Printing on a phone case instead? Smooth, hard phone cases use UV DTF stickers. They use a different transfer process from heat-applied apparel DTF.
04 / BETTER FILES
A sharper print starts here.
The file you upload sets the ceiling for print quality. Enlarging a small screenshot won’t restore missing detail. Start with the original artwork whenever possible.
Transparent background.
300 DPI at the final print size.
- Remove unwanted backgrounds. Keep the background transparent unless it is part of your design. A checkerboard saved into the image will print, too.
- Check the final size. Review small lettering and fine details at the dimensions you’ll actually order.
- Do not mirror your upload. Send your artwork facing the way you want it to appear on the finished item.
- Use open space thoughtfully. Letting fabric show through parts of a large design can give the print a lighter feel.
05 / PRESS & PEEL
Great artwork. The right application.
Lay the garment flat and position the transfer in the print area. Use the temperature, time and pressure specified for your transfer, then peel at the correct stage and complete any recommended finishing press.
Settings depend on the film, adhesive, fabric and press. DTFOrder’s 6-second hot-peel application is one option; use the instructions that match the product you ordered.
Peel instantly.
Remove the carrier while the transfer is hot, following its application instructions.
Let it cool briefly.
Peel when it reaches the warm stage specified for that film.
Let it cool first.
Wait for the transfer to cool before removing the carrier.
The peel method belongs to the film. Hot, warm and cold peel describe different application requirements. Follow the instructions for your transfer rather than switching between them. See DTFOrder’s pressing guide →
06 / YOUR ORDER
One design or a whole sheet. You choose.
A gang sheet groups multiple designs or copies onto one sheet of transfer film. Choose the ordering method that fits how you’ve prepared your artwork.
Order by size
Have an individual design? Choose its dimensions and the number of transfers you need.
Order your transferBuild a gang sheet
Upload separate designs, resize them and arrange them together using the online builder.
Open the builderUpload a gang sheet
Already arranged your layout? Upload the finished, print-ready sheet at the correct dimensions.
Upload your sheet07 / KEEP IT LOOKING GOOD
Give your print a little care.
Wash printed apparel inside out in cold water, and follow the care instructions for both the garment and the transfer. Correct application and everyday care help a design keep looking its best.
08 / QUICK ANSWERS
A few things worth knowing.
Do I need my own DTF printer?
No. DTFOrder supplies the printed transfers. You need suitable application equipment to apply them yourself, or you can ask our team about pressing services.
Can I use photographs and detailed artwork?
Yes. DTF can reproduce photographic images and multicolor artwork. For a clearer result, provide a high-quality original file at its final print dimensions.
Does DTF work on every fabric?
Compatibility depends on the fabric, coatings and heat sensitivity. Cotton, polyester and their blends are common choices, but a new material should be tested before a production run.
Is DTF the same as DTG printing?
No. DTF prints the design onto film before transferring it to fabric. DTG prints directly onto the garment and may require pretreatment. The best choice depends on the project and material.
Are phone-case stickers the same as apparel transfers?
No. Choose UV DTF stickers for compatible smooth, hard surfaces. Apparel DTF is designed for heat application to suitable fabrics.
YOUR NEXT IDEA.
READY TO PRINT.
From one logo to a full collection, start with the artwork you love.