DTF explained

What is DTF?

DTF (Direct-to-Film) is a printing method in which a design is printed onto specialist transfer film, coated with adhesive powder, cured and then heat-pressed onto fabric. It produces vibrant, flexible and durable transfers suitable for a wide range of garments and textiles.

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DTF transfers can be applied to cotton, polyester, blends, denim, canvas and many other heat-tolerant fabrics. They produce vivid full-colour designs, smooth gradients and fine detail without cutting or weeding. Results can vary depending on the fabric and pressing setup, so unfamiliar, coated or heat-sensitive materials should always be tested first.

Works on a wide range of fabrics

Suitable for cotton, polyester, blends, denim, canvas, workwear and many other heat-tolerant fabrics when the correct pressing settings are used.

Full colour and fine detail

Produce full-colour artwork, photographic detail and smooth gradients. For reliable printing, individual lines and dots must be at least 1mm thick.

Soft, flexible and durable

A flexible, wash-tested finish that moves with the garment. The finished feel may vary depending on the size and ink coverage of the design.

No minimums and no weeding

Order one transfer or a larger run. Your transfers arrive ready to press, with no cutting, trimming or weeding required.

What sets us apart

Our 9-colour DTF process

A standard DTF setup typically uses CMYK plus white. Our 9-colour system adds Red, Green, Blue and Orange, helping us reproduce a wider colour range with richer tones, smoother transitions and more natural-looking photographic results.

Richer, more vivid colourAdditional colour channels help produce brighter oranges, greens and blues across suitable artwork.

More natural-looking skin tonesThe extended colour range supports smoother transitions and more natural-looking results in portraits and photographic artwork.

Smoother gradientsAdditional colour information helps produce smoother blends and fades with less visible banding.

Standard DTF 5 channels

C M Y K W

YDTF 9 channels

C M Y K R G B O W

+ Red, Green, Blue and Orange

Colours can vary between screens, fabrics and pressing setups. We do not guarantee an exact screen-to-print colour match. If a specific colour is required, contact us to request our printed colour chart and matching digital reference.

How DTF Works

Five steps from artwork to a finished garment. We handle the first three; you handle the pressing.

01

Print

Upload your artwork normally - do not mirror it. We mirror the design during production and print it onto specialist PET film using our 9-colour process with a white ink backing.

02

Powder

A hot-melt adhesive powder is applied evenly to the wet ink, and the excess powder is removed.

03

Cure

The printed film is heated so the adhesive powder melts and bonds with the ink, creating a completed transfer that is ready to press.

04

Press

Position the transfer on the garment and follow the fabric-specific pressing settings supplied with your order. Cotton and polyester require different temperatures, pressures and pressing times.

05

Peel and Finish

Peel the film hot or cold, cover the design with a protective Teflon or wax sheet and complete the recommended second press for a durable finish.

View Full Pressing Instructions

DTF vs Other Methods

DTF is particularly suited to full-colour artwork, low order quantities, broad fabric compatibility and simple application. Here is how it compares with screen printing and heat-transfer vinyl.

DTF

Screen printing

Vinyl (HTV)

Colour Process

9-colour DTF process with a white ink backing.

Separate screens and inks are normally required for each colour.

Cut vinyl is normally applied one solid colour per layer.

Colour and Detail

Suitable for full-colour artwork, photographs, gradients and fine detail.

Excellent for strong spot colours; gradients and photographs require additional setup and halftones.

Best suited to simpler solid-colour designs; additional colours require separate layers.

Minimum Order

No minimum order - from a single transfer to larger quantities.

Setup requirements generally make it more cost-effective for larger runs.

No minimum order, but cutting and weeding become time-consuming at volume.

Fabric Range

Suitable for a wide range of heat-tolerant fabrics when the correct settings are used.

Works across many fabrics when the correct inks and preparation methods are used.

Works across many fabrics when a compatible vinyl and pressing setup are used.

Feel and Stretch

Soft and flexible; the finished feel varies depending on design size and ink coverage.

Can feel soft with lighter ink coverage but varies depending on the ink and print method.

Typically thicker and may feel heavier, particularly when several colours are layered.

Preparation Required

Arrives ready to press, with no cutting or weeding required.

Screens must be prepared for each design and colour.

Requires cutting, weeding and positioning before pressing.

We Print, You Press

Every order arrives as completed, ready-to-press transfers. No printer, ink, adhesive powder or specialist printing setup is required. Position the transfer on your garment, follow the fabric-specific pressing instructions, peel the film and complete the recommended second press. All you need is a suitable heat press.