THE PRINTING PROCESS, EXPLAINED
WHAT ISDTF PRINTING?
It starts on film. It ends on fabric. Direct-to-film printing turns digital artwork into heat-applied designs for clothing and accessories. Learn how the process works, what equipment it uses, and where it fits in custom printing.
2–3 hour turnaround on all transfers
YOUR ART. FULL COLOR.
01 / THE PROCESS
How does DTF printing work?
DTF stands for direct-to-film. The design is printed onto a specially coated carrier film, commonly PET. Adhesive powder is applied to the printed areas and cured. Heat and pressure then transfer the design from the film to a compatible fabric.
This separates printing from garment decoration. A business can produce the transfers in-house, or order them ready to apply without owning the printing equipment.
Print the artwork.
Print software prepares the design. The printer lays down the colors and a white backing onto the transfer film.
Apply & cure adhesive.
Adhesive powder coats the printed design. Controlled curing prepares it for the transfer stage.
Press it onto fabric.
A heat press bonds the design to the item. Peel the carrier at the correct stage and complete any required finishing press.
02 / WHY DTF?
More detail. More possibilities.
DTF combines digital printing with heat transfer application. It is useful for detailed artwork and mixed designs, with no individual color layers to cut and assemble.
Detailed, full-color artwork.
Photographs, gradients, illustrations and small logos can be printed together. The quality of the original file affects the detail in the finished print.
Light or dark garments.
A white ink backing supports the printed colors, helping artwork stand out across different garment colors.
Print now. Apply later.
Print production and garment decoration can happen separately. Prepared transfers can be applied when needed, following the supplier’s storage and pressing instructions.
03 / THE CANVAS
Where is DTF printing used?
DTF is used for workwear, team apparel, event merchandise, clothing collections and personalized gifts. Cotton, polyester and cotton/poly blends are common choices; match the transfer to the fabric and its heat tolerance.
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 / THE EQUIPMENT
What do you need for DTF printing?
Making transfers requires a compatible printing system and materials. If you buy ready-to-press transfers, the printing and curing stages are already done for you.
Transparent background.
300 DPI at the final print size.
- DTF printer and inks. A compatible printer uses color and white inks formulated for its DTF process.
- RIP software. Software prepares the print output, including its layout, colors and white layer. RIP is software, not a separate printing machine.
- Coated transfer film. The film carries the artwork through printing, curing and application.
- Adhesive and curing equipment. Compatible powder and a controlled curing method prepare the design to bond to fabric.
- Heat press and suitable blanks. The final application needs the specified heat and pressure on a compatible item.
Preparing a file for DTFOrder? Use the original artwork at its final print dimensions, remove unwanted backgrounds and do not mirror the upload. Review small text before ordering. See our DTF transfer guide for more file-preparation tips.
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 a DTF printer to make custom apparel?
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.
Can DTF print on any material?
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.
How is DTF different from DTG printing?
DTF prints onto film, then uses heat to apply the design. DTG prints directly onto the garment and may require pretreatment. Both are digital methods; the material, design and desired finish help determine which one fits a project.
Is DTF printing the same as UV DTF?
No. Apparel DTF uses heat to apply designs to compatible fabric. UV DTF stickers are a separate option for suitable smooth, hard surfaces, such as phone cases.
YOUR NEXT IDEA.
READY TO PRINT.
From one logo to a full collection, start with the artwork you love.