Most common mistakes and how to fix them

Updated on 15 September 2026

A white box around the logo, a transfer that lifts at the edges, or a coloured tinge in a white back number: mistakes like these are annoying for you and your customers. In this article, we show you the most common mistakes in DTF printing, how to recognise them and how to fix them, from the print file to pressing and washing.

The most common mistakes and solutions at a glance

Mistakes in the print file

We print your file exactly as you upload it. We do not scale it, touch it up or change any colour values. However, an RGB file or a PNG is converted to CMYK for printing. If we find a mistake, we contact you with a file error, and production is postponed until the corrected file has arrived.

Wrong size

The files are displayed at the wrong size. This mistake mostly occurs with PNGs.

Our tip: Ideally, send us PDF files, or export at the correct size and with at least 300 dpi. For a PNG, check the pixel dimensions: at 300 dpi, a design 10 cm wide needs around 1,200 pixels.

Transparent frame around the design

The design is smaller than the file, and there is a transparent frame around it.

Our tip: Check your file for this frame. When you import it into another document, for example, it shows up as a box. With the single design, your design goes into the file cut out and at its actual size, without bleed.

White background

We see a white background that cannot be hidden.

Our tip: The mistake usually happens when saving, and Exporting your files correctly shows you the right settings for your program.

White boxes behind individual designs

In the preview, you see white boxes behind individual designs, usually caused by placed images with a background, such as JPEGs.

Our tip: Use cut-out PNGs or vectors instead and check your file as shown in Exporting your files correctly.

Fine white edges (white halos)

Semi-transparent pixels on soft edges, fading shadows and gradients into transparency receive hardly any colour in print but full white underneath, which creates a fine white edge around your design.

Our tip: Make the background of your design transparent with hard edges, or use a vector graphic. You can read more about this in Pixels and vectors compared.

Overlapping designs

Designs that are created overlapping are printed that way too. If we notice it, we are happy to let you know, but this is not always possible and cannot be taken for granted.

Our tip: Add a coloured background that you delete before saving, or check everything in the Outline view in Illustrator.

Lines too thin

Lines and outlines need a thickness of at least 0.4 mm, and you leave a gap of at least 0.6 mm between two colour areas. Thinner strokes lack the area for the adhesive, and we cannot give any guarantee for their printability and adhesion.

File size

Try to keep your files as small as possible. The upload limit is 500 MB per file.

Our tip: Before exporting, delete all layers that are not meant to be printed, including hidden ones, and save without editing capabilities (except in Photoshop), otherwise the file becomes unnecessarily large.

Colours look duller than on screen

Screens display colours in RGB, while printing is done in CMYK. Bright greens, blues, oranges and pinks become duller in the process. It is therefore best to create your file in CMYK with the ISO Coated v2 (ECI) colour profile right from the start and to avoid spot colours such as Pantone or HKS. We cannot print gold, silver or neon. If a colour has to be exactly right, take it from our DTF colour chart. All 964 colour values are also available for reference as a PDF download. You can read more about this in RGB to CMYK.

The transfer does not stick or comes off

The corners lift, or parts stay stuck to the film? If the transfer does not adhere properly, check the material, temperature, pressing time and pressure:

• Press settings: You press Standard DTF at 130 to 140 °C for 12 to 15 seconds with medium pressure of about 3 bar, and Blockout DTF at 120 to 130 °C for 12 seconds. All values can be found in our heat press settings.
• Tolerances: The values are guidelines, as heat presses can have different tolerances in temperature and pressure. So check the first result before you press a series.
• Peeling: Warm or cold. When your press opens, count 1, 2, 3 and then peel off the film quickly and flat.
• Flat surface: Lay the textile flat on the press. Seams, buttons or zips under the design prevent even pressure.
• Material: Coated or impregnated fabrics, waxed fabric, nylon, non-woven fabric and heavily textured fabrics are not suitable for DTF. Which textiles are suitable for DTF printing? shows you which transfer suits which textile.
• Storage: The adhesive absorbs moisture from the air. Transfers stored in conditions that are too humid can become oily or lose their adhesion. Store them dry and airtight and use them as soon as possible.

Our tip: After the first pressing, do a light rub test. Carefully rub the colour side with a slightly damp cloth or your finger, without creating heat from friction. No colour should come off.

Discolouration on polyester: dye migration

The white lettering on your dark red sports shirt looks pink after pressing? That is dye migration, also known as resublimation: dyed polyester can release dyes due to the heat of the press, and these migrate into light areas of your design. For polyester and blends with at least 40% polyester, we therefore recommend Blockout DTF. Blockout DTF works with a special adhesive that holds back dyes from the textile. It reduces the risk significantly, but cannot rule it out for every textile, so test your textile first. You can read how dye migration occurs and how to test in Blockout DTF transfer for critical textiles.

Cracks or abrasion after washing

Our DTF transfers last at least 60 washes. How far beyond that you get depends mainly on care:

• Wash no earlier than 48 hours after pressing. During this time, the adhesive and ink layers stabilise.
• Wash at 30 °C, turned inside out, on a delicate or easy-care programme and without high spin speeds.
• Do not overload the machine, as a lighter load reduces friction, and do not wash together with coarse fabrics such as jeans or towels.
• Use a liquid colour or delicates detergent without enzymes. Enzymes attack the surface of the print, and bleach and optical brighteners are not recommended either.
• No fabric softener and no tumble dryer: leave the textile to air-dry inside out.
• Do not iron directly over the design and do not use steam.

If mainly fine details come off, check the line thickness in your file: we cannot guarantee adhesion for strokes under 0.4 mm. For your customers, we have care instructions to print out. You will find everything about durability, washing and care in How long does a DTF print last?

Frequently asked questions

Why is my DTF transfer coming off?

First check the material, temperature, pressing time and pressure. You can find the values in our heat press settings. If the print only comes off after a few washes, look at the care: 30 °C inside out, detergent without enzymes, no fabric softener and no tumble dryer.

How long does a DTF print last?

Our DTF transfers last at least 60 washes, and how far beyond that you get depends mainly on care. Transfers that have not yet been pressed can be stored for up to 6 months under optimal conditions. Nevertheless, use them as soon as possible.

Should I wash the textile before pressing?

No. We recommend not washing textiles beforehand, to avoid problems during pressing. The best way to find out how a particular textile behaves is to test it on a sample first.

I have received a notice about a file error. How do I fix it?

The notice tells you what is wrong with your file. Correct it and send us the new version by arrangement during our business hours from 9:00 to 16:00 (German time) by email to info@dtf-king.de or via WeTransfer, always quoting your order number. If your order contains several files, send us all of them again. Without a file error, files cannot be swapped, because your order goes straight into prepress.

If something does go wrong

Check your gang sheets as soon as you receive them, ideally before you press them onto textiles. If you notice anything, stop processing and contact our customer service on +49 2163 9518930 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00 German time) or by email at info@dtf-king.de. Send us your order number, photos of the fault, the material and your press settings, and we will try to narrow down the cause together with you.

As we work exclusively with Adobe programs, we know Illustrator and Photoshop best. Of course, we are happy to help you by email and phone as best we can.

Please check your files yourself before you order. If we notice a mistake, we are happy to point it out to you, but we cannot always check everything. The Pro File Check, which you can add to your order, gives you more certainty. We then check the format, the colour mode with colour profile and the main transparency of your gang sheet, but not the resolution or transparency within your design. The Pro File Check is not available for express, Designer and single design orders.

Anyone who wants to achieve good results should read our FAQ.

Setting up print files correctlyView heat press settingsView Blockout DTFContact customer service

Also useful: the Sample Pack for testing new textiles and the DTF Designer if you prefer to put your gang sheet together online.

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Wishing you every success with your projects,

DTF-King Team