DTF stands for direct-to-film — a printing method where your design is printed onto a special PET film, coated with a hot-melt adhesive powder, cured, and then heat-pressed onto a garment. The result is a vivid, full-colour print with a soft, flexible feel that stretches with the fabric and survives 60+ washes without cracking or peeling.
How DTF printing works
The process has four steps. First, your artwork is printed in reverse onto PET film using CMYK inks plus a white ink underbase — that white layer is why DTF looks just as vivid on black garments as white ones. Second, a fine adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink. Third, the film is cured, turning the powder into a smooth adhesive layer. Finally, the transfer is heat-pressed onto the garment at around 150–160°C for 10–15 seconds — our pressing guide covers the exact settings.
What fabrics does DTF work on?
Almost everything — and this is DTF's superpower. Cotton, polyester, cotton-poly blends, nylon, fleece, denim, canvas: light or dark. Unlike sublimation (polyester-only, light colours only) or screen printing (expensive setup per design), DTF handles one-offs and full production runs on virtually any garment.
Is DTF durable?
Properly pressed, a quality DTF transfer outlasts most garments — 60+ washes with no cracking, peeling or significant fading. The print stays soft and stretches with the fabric, which is why it's replaced heat transfer vinyl for most small UK garment businesses.
What does DTF cost?
Far less than most people expect. Our transfers by size start at £0.99 for a 5x5cm logo, with A4 prints at £3.10. And if you're printing multiple designs, a gang sheet drops the cost per print dramatically — fill a metre of film with designs for £7.99 total.
Getting started
You don't need any equipment beyond a heat press (even a good iron works for testing). Upload your artwork — PNG at 300dpi with a transparent background is ideal — order your transfers, and press them when they arrive. We print and dispatch same-day on orders before 1pm.