Home / Customization Services / Direct To Film (DTF) Printing
Full-Colour Transfers That Stick to Cotton, Polyester and Beyond
Direct to film printing sits between screen print and DTG. We print your artwork onto a special PET film, coat it with hot-melt adhesive powder, then press it onto the garment. The result is vivid, flexible and works on fabrics DTG cannot handle, including polyester sportswear. Runs start well below screen print minimums.
- Works on polyester and blends
- Full colour with white ink
- Flexible, stretch-tolerant finish
- Small runs, no screens
How a DTF transfer is made
The process begins with printing a mirror image of your design onto PET film using pigment CMYK inks, then a layer of white ink printed over the colours. While the ink is still wet, the film is coated with fine thermoplastic adhesive powder. The powder sticks only to the wet ink, and the excess is shaken off.
The film is then cured in an oven so the powder melts into a smooth adhesive layer. This finished transfer can be stored flat and pressed whenever needed. On the heat press, typically around 150 to 160 degrees Celsius for several seconds, the adhesive melts into the fabric fibres and bonds. The film is peeled away, either hot or cold, leaving the print.
Because the transfer carries its own white layer and adhesive, the garment colour and fibre content matter much less than for DTG. That is why DTF has become the go-to process for polyester jerseys, nylon jackets, hoodies with blended fleece and mixed-fabric orders.
Where DTF delivers
Polyester and technical fabrics
Sportswear, jerseys and performance tees are tricky for DTG and unsuitable for plastisol on some synthetics. DTF adheres reliably, so teams and fitness brands get full-colour designs on the fabrics they actually wear.
Small runs of detailed art
Photographic and multi-colour designs print without screens, so a run of twenty or fifty pieces is practical. You get screen-print-like opacity on dark fabrics without paying for colour setup.
Mixed-fabric orders
One order can include cotton tees, poly-blend hoodies and nylon jackets. The same transfer works across them, keeping the colours consistent between garments that would need different processes otherwise.
Stockable transfers
Transfers can be printed in bulk and pressed later, which helps brands that sell in drops or need reorders. Store them flat, cool and dry, and press on demand as orders arrive.
DTF strengths at our factory
Premium film and powder
We use quality PET film and fine adhesive powder suited to the garment type, so edges release cleanly and the bonded layer stays flexible instead of stiff.
Stretch-friendly bonding
The cured adhesive moves with the fabric. Designs on ribbed cuffs, athletic fits and stretch tees survive pulling without cracking when pressed at the right settings.
Opaque white base
A dedicated white layer sits behind the colour, so artwork stays bright on black, navy and bold-coloured garments without a separate underbase step.
Quick turnaround
Printing and powdering run on one workflow, with transfers ready for pressing the same day. That supports our 10 to 15 working day bulk lead time with room to spare.
DTF options
Send your artwork, garment type and quantity, or tell us you need transfers only. We will check fabric compatibility and send a quote and mockup.
Hot peel and cold peel
Hot peel films release immediately after pressing for fast production. Cold peel films wait until cooled and can give a cleaner edge or matte finish. We select the film that matches your garment and look.
Gang sheets for small designs
Multiple designs or sizes can be arranged on one film sheet. This reduces waste for small logos, sleeve prints and name labels, and keeps costs sensible on mixed-artwork orders.
Placement and finish
Left chest, full front, back, sleeve and neck prints are all available. Matte and gloss finishes, plus a second press for a smoother surface, can be specified for a more premium look.
Supplying transfers only
If you run your own press, we can supply printed and powdered transfers on film, labelled and packed flat. Many print shops use us this way to cover overflow or add colour capacity.
DTF versus DTG and screen printing
Choose DTF over DTG when the fabric is polyester, a blend, or any material that does not take pretreat well. Choose it over screen printing when your design has many colours or gradients, or when quantity is too low to justify screens.
Screen printing remains better for very large runs of simple graphics, with a softer hand and lower per-piece cost. DTG feels lighter on pure cotton. DTF prints sit slightly on the surface, so they feel a little more plastic, but they stretch and wash well. We help you weigh those trade-offs.
Who orders this
DTF suits buyers who work across several fabrics and need colour, detail and flexibility without a screen budget. It is popular with growing brands, sports teams and shops who want a single reliable process for varied jobs.
- Sports clubs decorating polyester jerseys and training tops
- Startup brands launching detailed graphics in small runs
- Print shops buying transfers for their own heat presses
- Event organisers needing mixed-garment crew merchandise
- Schools adding logos to blended hoodies and track jackets
Care & durability
Wash inside out at up to 30 or 40 degrees Celsius and tumble dry low. Do not iron directly on the transfer, and avoid dry cleaning solvents.
A correctly pressed DTF print is flexible and wash resistant. Under-pressed transfers can lift at the edges, so we check adhesion with a stretch and scratch test, and re-press if needed before packing.
DTF questions answered
Straight answers to the questions buyers ask us most. Anything missing? Send an inquiry and we will reply within one business day.
What is the difference between DTF and DTG?
DTG sprays ink directly into the fabric, which works best on cotton. DTF prints onto film and bonds with adhesive, so it works on almost any fabric, including polyester. DTG feels softer on cotton, while DTF is more versatile.
Is adhesive powder safe on skin?
The powder is a thermoplastic that melts into a cured adhesive layer, which is standard practice in the industry. Once bonded and cured, it is stable on the garment. We do not make medical or hypoallergenic claims beyond that.
Will DTF crack on stretchy fabric?
Properly pressed DTF is designed to flex and stretch with the garment. Extreme stretch over very large areas can still show fine cracks over time, so we recommend smaller graphics for highly elastic fabrics and test when unsure.
Can I order transfers without garments?
Yes. We supply printed, powdered transfers on film, sized to your layout and packed flat. Include press settings guidance for your garments if you wish, and we will share the temperature, time and pressure we recommend.
What is the minimum order for DTF?
There is no screen setup, so orders can be small. Tell us the design count and garment quantity and we will quote. For large volumes of simple graphics, we may suggest screen printing as the cheaper option.
Request a quote for Direct To Film (DTF) Printing
Send your artwork, garment type and quantity, or tell us you need transfers only. We will check fabric compatibility and send a quote and mockup.
- Reply within one business day
- Free mockup with every quote
- Pre-production sample before bulk
- Low minimums from 50 pieces
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Print on any fabric, in any colour
Tell us about your garments and design. We will recommend film settings and finish, quote the run, and provide a pressed sample for your approval.