What Is DTF Printing? A Plain Guide for Print Shops and Clothing Brands

DTF stands for direct to film. In DTF printing, a design is printed onto a clear film, coated with an adhesive powder, and then heat pressed onto fabric. The film peels away and the print stays on the garment.

That is the short meaning of DTF in printing. The rest of this guide covers how the process works, what a DTF transfer is, and what you need if you want to press them yourself.

How DTF printing works

1. The design is printed onto film. A DTF printer lays down the colours first, then a layer of white ink on top. The white layer is what lets the print show up on dark fabric.
2. Adhesive powder is applied. While the ink is still wet, a fine hot-melt powder is spread over it. The powder sticks only to the printed areas.
3. The film is cured. Heat melts the powder into an even adhesive layer on the back of the print.
4. The transfer is pressed onto the garment. A heat press bonds the adhesive to the fabric.
5. The film is peeled off. The print stays on the garment and the clear film is thrown away.

Steps 1 to 3 happen at the print supplier. Steps 4 and 5 can be done by anyone with a heat press, which is why so many print shops and clothing brands now buy their transfers ready made.

What is a DTF transfer?

A DTF transfer is the finished printed film after step 3: printed, powdered, cured and ready to press. When people talk about buying DTF prints, this is what they mean.

Transfers can be stored and pressed when an order comes in. You can keep one design on the shelf and press it onto a t-shirt today and a hoodie next week, without holding printed stock in every size.

What can you press DTF onto?

DTF works on cotton, polyester and cotton-poly blends, on both light and dark colours. That covers most t-shirts, hoodies, polos, tote bags and workwear.

The print sits on top of the fabric as a thin, flexible layer. It is not dyed into the fibres, so fabric colour does not change how the design looks.

How DTF compares with other methods

Method	Where it suits	Where DTF differs
Screen printing	Large runs of one design in a few colours	DTF has no screens or setup per colour, so short runs and full-colour artwork cost the same to set up as simple ones
DTG (direct to garment)	Printing straight onto cotton garments	DTF is printed on film first, so the same transfer can go onto cotton, polyester or blends
Heat transfer vinyl	Simple one-colour names and numbers	DTF needs no cutting or weeding and handles gradients and fine detail
Sublimation	Light-coloured polyester	DTF works on cotton and on dark garments

Do you need a DTF printer?

No. A DTF printer, powder unit and curing oven are a serious investment, and they need regular use and maintenance to keep the white ink flowing. Most shops skip that and order printed transfers instead.

What you do need is a heat press. For CA Print transfers, press at 150 to 160°C for 10 to 15 seconds with medium pressure, let the transfer cool, then peel.

If you want to test the process on your own garments first, order our free DTF sample pack.

Two ways to order DTF transfers

By the sheet. Single transfer sheets come in set sizes from A5 to A2. This suits one design at a known size. See custom DTF transfers for sizes and prices.

By the gang sheet. A gang sheet is a long run of film where you arrange many designs side by side and pay for the length. We print on 58cm and 88cm wide film. If you press a mix of logos, labels and full-size prints, DTF gang sheets usually work out cheaper per print.

Print shops and brands that order regularly can apply for a trade account.

Common questions

What does DTF stand for?

Direct to film. The design is printed directly onto a film, and the film carries it to the garment.

Is DTF printing the same as a DTF transfer?

DTF printing is the process. A DTF transfer is the product that comes out of it: the printed film you press onto fabric.

Does DTF work on dark shirts?

Yes. The white ink layer behind the colours keeps the design solid on black and other dark fabrics.

Can I press DTF transfers at home?

You can if you have a heat press that holds a steady temperature and even pressure. A press gives far more consistent results than a household iron.

CA Print prints DTF transfers and gang sheets in Broadmeadows, Melbourne, with same-day dispatch on eligible orders.