DTF Transfers

About Custom DTF Transfers

1. Design: First, you will need to create your design using a compatible graphics software program. Make sure your design is in the appropriate format for printing and transfer.
2. Heat press: You will need a heat press to apply your DTF transfer to your garment. Make sure your heat press is compatible with DTF transfers and has the appropriate temperature and pressure settings.
3. All DTF Transfers come ready to press all you need to do is follow the application instructions and press to your garment.

What kind of heat press do I need to apply DTF transfers? Can I use an iron?

We highly recommend a traditional, clamp-down style heat press for applying DTF Transfers.  Two of the most important factors in successfully pressing any DTF transfers are coverage and pressure, two weaknesses with irons and handheld craft presses.  While you can attempt to use an iron or handheld style, we do not recommend so as you may run into adhesion issues and a lower life of the garment.

What are the pressing instructions for DTF transfers?

Once you have recieved your Ready to Press Direct to Film (DTF) Transfers, follow these steps:

1. Pre-heat your heat press to 320°F
2. Pre-press your garment by itself for a few seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles. 
3. Thread your garment (with the collar facing towards you) onto the platen of your heat press
4. Cut out your design, leaving a small border around the edges.
5. Arrange your transfer onto your garment exactly as you would like it to turn out. 
6. Press for 14 seconds with medium pressure. 
7. After your press, lift the transfer sheet quickly and carefully.

It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your DTF printer, transfer sheet, and heat press for best results. Additionally, be sure to use high-quality materials and perform a test transfer on a small area before applying a larger design to ensure proper temperature, pressure, and transfer quality.

What are the care instructions for DTF transfers?

Wait 24 hours before your first wash, then use machine wash cold with mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener, do not bleach or dry clean, and dry on a low setting. Your DTF Transfers can be washed regularly or inside-out, although the latter is recommended.

Why is my DTF transfer not sticking/adhering?

Make sure you are pressing at the correct temperature, with adequate and consistent pressure. Often, the use of a handheld heat press or iron can cause adhesion issues due to the small surface area and less consistent pressure/temperature. This is why we recommend using a traditional clamp-style heat press.

When pressing, ensure that your garment is completely flat and that the pressing surface is even, with no collars or zippers in the way. It is important to maintain consistent pressure between your heat press and the transfer, which should not be impeded by elements of your garment.

Artwork with super small details or thin lines can also occasionally pose challenges, as the amount of backing adhesive might not be sufficient to adhere to your garments without some sort of alterations. Adjusting your design by thickening up these details or adding an outline can help mitigate this issue, along with following appropriate application and pressing instructions.

Can you layer DTF transfers when pressing?

Technically you can layer transfers on top of one another when pressing, but we do not recommend this as the backing adhesive of DTF transfers is meant to apply and bond to the fabric of a garment. So while you may have a successful press of layered DTF transfers, the results will not be as permanent.

How long do DTF transfers last after they are pressed? Do they crack over time?

If your garment is kept in good condition (avoiding harsh weather and physical activity), a typical DTF transfer can last for 50+ wash cycles. While highly durable, a bit of peeling may occur over the years, but cracking is generally not a problem compared to a printing method such as screen printing.

How should I store my DTF transfers? Do they expire?

Store your DTF transfers in something secure such as a zip-loc bag or a container in a cool, dry environment away from sunlight. DTF transfers can last for years if stored properly, although we recommend not waiting more than 3-6 months to press your transfers after receiving them.

What is your turnaround time after I place an order?

For newly placed orders, it might take one business day to process your order depending on the current volume of orders. This includes the time to examine the provided artwork, set it up for printing, and possibly address any quality/printing concerns. We provide digital proofs for all DTF orders to make sure artwork and sizing are correct, but once approved, it will take 1-2 business days to print and ship your order.

How should I save my artwork? Do you mirror artwork?

Artwork should be saved at the highest quality possible in CMYK color mode (not RGB). Vector artwork is highly recommended, although high resolution raster images are also acceptable as long as it has a transparent background. For low-quality artwork, we offer a vector redraw service to recreate it in a high quality format that is perfect for printing (plus we will send you any finished files to keep). Artwork does not need to be mirrored for DTF transfers, only for sublimation transfers.

What sizes of DTF transfers are available?

We offer a large variety of transfer sheet sizes ranging from as small as 2.5” x 2.5” up to our largest gang sheet option at 15” x 192” (16 feet long). Regular sized and small transfer sheet options can be purchased on our Full Color DTF Transfers Page. Larger Gang Sheets can also be purchased on our DTF Gang Sheet page. 

What are DTF gang sheets?
DTF Grang sheet is a transfer sheet that includes multiple designs/transfers that you can cut out and press separately from one other. Typically, gang sheets offer a more cost-effective option compared to ordering multiple individual transfers, as long as you can effectively utilize the available space on the sheet. Gang sheets may feature multiple copies of the same logo/design or entirely different logos/designs.

Is there a minimum quantity that I can order?

Nope! You can order as few as one DTF transfer and can go up from there. Do note that large quantity orders might take longer than the normal 1-2 turnaround time for production.

What size should I make my artwork?

You can supply your artwork at any size, although if you have raster artwork, you should try and prepare it at the same size or larger than what you need it printed at since scaling smaller raster artwork to a larger size can negatively affect its quality. Vector artwork does not have this issue and can be supplied at any size since it can be scaled to any size with no negative effects. For printing, we size all artwork to be as large as possible on the transfer sheet while remaining proportional (as in, not stretched) unless you request it at a specific size.

Do you charge per color on design?

No, any design (whether it’s full-color or a single color) will be priced the same. Pricing is based on the size and quantity of the transfer sheets, so feel free to have every color under the rainbow in your designs!

Are there any sort of design restrictions?

Generally we try to obtain the highest quality artwork as possible for printing to provide the best results possible, but we can always print what is sent if desired! Besides low quality artwork, another common issue is a background color present in artwork. Sometimes removing this can lead remnant pixels around the edge of your design, so artwork with a transparent background is preferred.

Is copyrighted artwork an issue?

Unfortunately we do not print artwork containing copyrighted content. Even if the intention is for personal use or non-profit purposes, we are still not able to sell copyrighted printed materials. We would need written permission to use the copyrighted artwork in order to fully print this sort of content.