What is DTF? Direct to film printing explained simply
DTF stands for Direct to Film. The design is first printed in mirror image onto a coated transfer film, in CMYK with an opaque white layer behind it. Hot-melt adhesive powder is then applied and cured. A heat press then transfers the design to the textile with heat and pressure. The opaque white layer enables strong colour reproduction on light and dark textiles. The actual result still depends on the material, the dyeing, any coating and correct pressing. Chemical pre-treatment of the textile, as is often required with DTG printing, is not needed when pressing finished DTF transfers. At DTF-King, you can order your transfers from a single piece and with no minimum order value.
How DTF works step by step
- Print files and RIP. Your file with a transparent background arrives as a PDF or PNG. The RIP software separates colour and white channel and determines how much white is printed behind each colour area.
- CMYK print, mirrored. Inkjet printing applies the ink to the coated side of the film. It is mirrored because the design is flipped during transfer.
- Opaque white layer. The white is applied almost at the same time. This layer ensures that the colours do not get lost on dark fabric later.
- Hot-melt adhesive. Hot-melt powder is applied to the still wet print. It only sticks where there is ink, and the rest of the film stays clear.
- Curing. The powder is melted and the print is dried through. After that, the transfer is ready for storage and shipping.
- Transfer with the press. Place the design, press, peel off the film. The specific values are listed in our heat press settings and differ depending on the product.
How a DTF transfer is built up
From top to bottom, as the transfer lies on the table before pressing:
- Carrier film - the PET film you peel off after pressing
- Ink layer - your design in CMYK
- White layer - covers the surface
- Adhesive layer - the cured hot-melt adhesive facing the textile
During pressing, the adhesive layer bonds with the fibres. The carrier film has then done its job and is removed.
Which transfer suits which material?
DTF first of all refers to the basic printing and transfer process. However, the specific material decides which transfer type is suitable for an order. Fibre composition, dyeing, coating, surface texture and heat resistance affect adhesion and the final appearance.
That is why at DTF-King we deliberately distinguish between Standard DTF for cotton and suitable cotton blends and Blockout DTF for polyester and polyester-containing textiles. The special adhesive of the Blockout transfer reduces the risk of dyes from the textile migrating into light areas of the design under the heat of the press.
Sublimation is a separate solution for light-coloured materials with a high polyester content. UV DTF, on the other hand, is not intended for textiles but for hard, smooth surfaces. The following overview helps you make an initial choice. Before a larger run, we still recommend a test press on the material actually used.
Standard DTF
Suitable for
100% cotton, cotton blends with at least 70% cotton
Not suitable for
Polyester, impregnated or coated textiles
Blockout DTF
Suitable for
100% polyester, blends with at least 40% polyester. The special adhesive holds back dyes from the base material
Not suitable for
impregnated and water-repellent coatings
Sublimation
Suitable for
Materials with at least 80% polyester, common sublimation items
Not suitable for
dark fabrics, cotton. No white, no gold, silver, reflective or neon
UV DTF
Suitable for
hard, smooth surfaces: glass, porcelain, ceramics, metal, plastic, wood. Rubbed on without a press
Not suitable for
Textiles. Not food-safe
What garment decorators should check before series production
In commercial garment decoration, it is not enough to look only at the fibre content on the care label. Different colours, coatings and production batches of the same textile model can also behave differently when pressed. A short work sample therefore protects against rejects and unnecessary repeat runs.
- Check the material: Check fibre composition, coating, impregnation and the textile manufacturer’s care instructions.
- Choose the transfer: Use Standard DTF for cotton and suitable blends; for polyester and possible dye migration, consider Blockout DTF.
- Test on the original material: If possible, carry out the test press on the same textile model, in the same colour and from the same production batch.
- Prepare the print area: Seams, zips, pockets, buttons and thick hems must not cause uneven pressing pressure.
- Watch out for residual moisture: If necessary, briefly pre-press damp or heavily creased textiles. This must not change the binding product parameters.
- Check the press: Temperature and pressure must be applied as evenly as possible across the entire print area.
- Check the first print: After complete cooling, check adhesion, design edges, surface, colour and any changes to the material.
- Document the settings: For recurring orders, record textile, transfer type, temperature, time, pressure and peel timing.
Only when the test press is convincing should the full run be produced. For critical textiles, our support and the current heat press settings help you choose.
Advantages - and where the limits lie
What speaks for DTF
- Economical from a single piece, with no minimum order value
- Fine details, gradients and photo designs are possible - no weeding as with flex vinyl
- Light and dark textiles without pre-treatment
- Transfers can be stored and pressed later
- At least 60 wash cycles according to our practical tests
Where you need to be careful
- On large, full-area designs, the print can be felt as a layer. This is an issue for sportswear with high breathability requirements
- The heat press settings must be right. Too cold means poor adhesion, too hot can make the fabric shiny
- With polyester, there is a risk of migration. That is what Blockout is for, but even there: test first
- The film must be peeled off completely and within the right temperature window
DTF from the perspective of professional garment decorators
DTF is particularly suitable for multicoloured logos, small fonts, colour gradients, photo designs and personalised orders. Because no screens need to be set up and no films weeded, one-offs, small runs and frequently changing designs can be produced efficiently.
With large, fully closed areas of colour, the transfer can be felt more clearly and can reduce the breathability of the textile. For sportswear, large back designs and light performance fabrics, designs broken up with open areas are therefore often more comfortable to wear than solid rectangles.
The textile colour also influences the perceived print result. Although the opaque white layer provides opacity, material, surface and the pressing process can still change how the colours look. For important brand or club colours, it is therefore advisable to get approval using a colour chart or sample transfer before a larger run is produced.
DTF compared with DTG, screen printing, flex/flock and sublimation
Which finishing process suits best depends on run, design, textile, desired feel and existing production technology. The table shows typical areas of use and serves as initial guidance.
| DTF | DTG | Flex/Flock | Screen printing | Sublimation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economical from | 1 piece | 1 piece | a few pieces | medium runs | 1 piece |
| Cotton | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Polyester | with Blockout | limited | yes | yes | yes |
| Dark fabrics | yes | with pre-treatment | yes | yes | no |
| Photo designs, gradients | yes | yes | no | complex | yes |
| Weeding needed | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Pre-production can be stored | yes | no | yes | no | yes |
| Feel on large areas | noticeable | soft | noticeable | depends on colour | cannot be felt |
The information is deliberately worded as guidance. Economic efficiency, durability, feel and material suitability depend, among other things, on design size, number of colours, run, textile quality and the product used. For larger or unusual orders, the choice should always be based on a specific sample.
Setting up print files correctly
The binding requirements are in the FAQ and knowledge base - they are always up to date there. The four points that most often cause problems in practice:
- Background removal. The background must be transparent, not white. A white background is printed as an area
- Resolution. Calculate for the actual print size, not for the screen view
- Format. We accept PDF and PNG, single-page
- White in the design. White as a design colour is possible and will be printed. Do not confuse it with the transparent background
If you want to place several designs on one sheet, you can do this in the DTF Designer directly in your browser - including a preview of how well the sheet is used.
Pressing, washing, storing
Pressing. For Standard DTF, the values are 130 to 140 °C, 12 to 15 seconds and medium pressure of about 3 bar. For Blockout DTF, 120 to 130 °C, 12 seconds, also about 3 bar. These are reference values; presses vary, so a test press remains a must. The current values are listed in the heat press settings.
Also make sure that the design lies completely on the flat pressing surface. Seams, collars, zips, buttons or pockets can prevent the required pressure from acting evenly on the whole design. With such textiles, a smaller interchangeable platen or a suitable pressing pad can help raise the actual print area.
The pressure displays of different heat presses cannot be compared directly. What matters is therefore not just the displayed value but an even result on the textile used. Always follow the information for the DTF-King product you ordered first.
Washing. Our recommendation: at 30 °C and turned inside out. This way, the print lasts longest. The product pages state that DTF transfers are washable at 30 °C. For sublimation, follow the care label of the textile. The information on the respective product is binding. No fabric softener directly on the print, no dry cleaning.
Storing. Finished transfers are ready for storage and shipping. Dry, flat and out of direct sunlight, so you can pre-produce a run and use it as needed over several weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What does DTF mean?
Direct to Film. The design is printed onto a transfer film and transferred from there onto the textile, unlike DTG, where printing is done directly onto the fabric.
Does DTF work on polyester?
Standard DTF does not work reliably, because dyes can migrate from the polyester into the print. That is what Blockout DTF with its special adhesive is for. Even there, we recommend a test press on the specific material. More information on Blockout DTF
How long does a DTF print last?
In our practical tests, at least 60 wash cycles. How long it really lasts in everyday use depends on heat press settings, textile quality and washing habits.
Do I need to pre-treat the textile?
No, the textiles do not need to be pre-treated.
From what quantity is it worthwhile?
From a single piece. There is no minimum order value and no minimum run.
Which files do you accept?
PDF and PNG, single-page, with a transparent background. The full requirements are in the FAQ.
Can I place several designs on one sheet?
Yes. Your print file should be in the format of the product you want to choose. You can place several designs on this file. Alternatively, use our DTF Designer - there you can see straight away how well the sheet is used.
How long does production take?
Standard production 1 to 3 working days. With Express and complete, error-free files by 11:00 (German time), the order goes out the same day with express shipping. Working days only, not Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
About this article
Written by the production team of Printsyndikat GmbH, which prints the DTF transfers for DTF-King. Our information comes from day-to-day operations with around 4,000 metres of daily production and our own wash tests over 60 cycles.
The information on the product page of the item ordered is always binding, as are the FAQ and the heat press settings.