Grey tones in DTF printing

Updated on 15 September 2026

In the DTF printing process, it is important to set up grey tones correctly in order to achieve an optimal print result. Unlike the RGB colour space, which uses additive colour mixing, the DTF printing process is based on the subtractive colour system. This means that colours are created by absorbing light rather than adding light.

A grey that looks exactly right on screen can look lighter, darker or warmer in print. In this article, we show you how to set up grey, black and white for printing, why grey tones can shift and how to check your file before uploading.

Grey, black and white: our rules

Printing is done with four colours: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K). Every grey is created from them too.

• Grey tones: For DTF, you can mix them from all colours. You can also build a grey from black only, in which case cyan, magenta and yellow are set to 0 and you only change the K value.
• Black: For DTF, you can also mix it from all colours. For sublimation, set it up as CMYK 0/0/0/100, not 400 per cent black.
• White: Always set up white as CMYK 0/0/0/0.

With Standard DTF and Blockout DTF, your design is printed in colour and backed with opaque white. So your grey sits on white there, even on a black shirt. With UV DTF Transparent and sublimation, no white is printed, so the surface shows through and affects how your grey looks.

Why grey tones can shift in print

Screen versus print: Your screen emits light itself, while printing ink absorbs light. This is why a grey often looks lighter and clearer on screen than in print, and every screen shows it slightly differently, depending on its type, brightness and settings.

The ratio of the colours: A mixed grey is made up of several colours. How it looks in print depends on the ratio of these colours, and even small changes make it slightly warmer or cooler. It is therefore best to pick the value from our colour chart, so that you know in advance how it looks when printed.

Be careful with RGB files: We do not change any colour values. However, an RGB file or a PNG is converted to CMYK for printing. You can then no longer influence how your grey is built up. RGB files are created, for example, on your phone, in Canva and in many online tools, and a PNG only supports RGB anyway. We explain why colours look different on screen and in print in RGB to CMYK.

Grey via opacity: A black with reduced opacity looks grey on screen. In DTF printing, however, it still gets full white underneath and therefore looks different than planned, more on this in Pixels and vectors compared.

The right CMYK values for grey, black and white

Use these values to set up grey, black and white. The grey values are examples.

How to set up grey tones in your file

Plan your grey right from the start when designing, then you will not have to rework anything later.

• CMYK from the start. Create your file in the CMYK colour space with the ISO Coated v2 (ECI) colour profile, and for sublimation with ISO Coated v2 300% (ECI). How do I install an ICC profile? shows you how to set up the profile.
• Grey as a colour value, not via opacity. Use full opacity and enter the grey as a fixed colour value, for example 0/0/0/40.
• Let grey gradients end in a colour. Let a grey gradient end in a colour rather than in transparency, because in DTF printing every piece of colour information gets white underneath.
• No grey shadows fading outwards. Shadows that fade out beyond the design lead to messy edges.
• Save as a PDF. A PDF can contain your CMYK values, while a PNG only supports RGB.

In Illustrator, select the grey object and open Window > Color. Switch to CMYK in the panel menu and enter the values of your grey. Check both fill and stroke, as both have their own values.

In Photoshop, you work in a CMYK document and enter the values directly for C, M, Y and K in the Color Picker. If your program offers an input for CMYK values, enter them there in the same way.

Checking grey tones before uploading

You cannot tell which values your grey has on screen, only from the colour values. This is how to check:

• In Illustrator: Select the object and look in Window > Color to see which CMYK values it has. In Window > Transparency, you can see whether the opacity is set to 100 per cent.
• In Photoshop: Open Window > Info and point the mouse pointer at your grey. In a CMYK document, you will see the values for C, M, Y and K at that point.
• In the finished PDF: In Adobe Acrobat Pro, open Output Preview via the Print Production tool. If you point the mouse pointer at your grey there, you will see the proportions of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Only a real print is truly binding. Our DTF colour chart consists of real printed transfers with 964 colour swatches, each labelled with its CMYK value. All 964 colour values are also available for reference as a PDF download. Pressed onto a black textile, it shows you how the colour values look in print. There is a separate colour chart for UV DTF, and a mini colour chart is also included in the Sample Pack. CMYK colour fan for DTF: colour chart with 964 colour values explains how to find your colour value with the colour chart.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mix grey tones from several colours?

Yes, for DTF you can mix grey tones from all colours. But you can also build a grey from black only. The colour chart shows you how a mixed grey looks when printed.

Which CMYK values do I use for grey?

For a grey from black only, cyan, magenta and yellow are set to 0 and only the K value changes: for example 0/0/0/30 for a light, 0/0/0/50 for a medium and 0/0/0/80 for a dark grey. For a mixed grey, it is best to pick the value from the colour chart.

Why does my grey look different in print than on screen?

Your screen emits light itself, printing ink absorbs light, and every screen displays colours slightly differently. An RGB file is also only converted to CMYK for printing, and you then no longer have any influence on it. So set up your grey in CMYK as a fixed colour value and check it with the colour chart.

Can I upload grey tones as a PNG?

Yes, we accept PDF and PNG. However, a PNG only supports RGB and is converted to CMYK for printing. You cannot influence how your grey is built up in the process. With a PDF in CMYK, you decide the colour values yourself.

How do I set up black correctly?

For DTF, you can mix black from all colours. For sublimation, set it up as CMYK 0/0/0/100 and avoid 400 per cent black, otherwise the ink can smudge, because too much ink takes longer to dry.

What is different with UV DTF Transparent and sublimation?

No white is printed there. The surface shows through and affects how your grey looks, which is why the colours look best on a light surface.

Help with your print files

Want to be on the safe side? You can add the Pro File Check to your order. We then check the format, the colour mode with colour profile and the main transparency of your gang sheet before production. The resolution and semi-transparent pixels in your design are not included. The Pro File Check is not available for express, Designer and single design orders.

If you have questions about your grey tones, do not hesitate to get in touch, we do not bite. Our customer service will be happy to help you from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00 (German time) on +49 2163 9518930 or by email at info@dtf-king.de.

View the DTF colour chartSetting up print files correctlyContact customer service

Also useful: UV DTF colour chart, Sample Pack and FAQ.

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Wishing you every success with your projects,

DTF-King Team