What is DTF: textile transfer printing explained

DTF (Direct to Film) is the textile printing technique that has overtaken vinyl and screen printing for small and medium runs: you print your design onto a film, transfer it to the garment with heat and get a full-colour, stretchy, durable print. Here we explain what it is, how it works step by step and when it is the right choice.

What DTF (Direct to Film) means

DTF stands for Direct to Film: the print goes directly onto a PET film instead of onto the garment. A hot-melt adhesive powder is applied over the ink and, when heat-pressed, bonds the design to the fabric. That is why it works on almost any garment colour and composition, with no screens and no vinyl to cut.

Unlike sublimation (which only dyes light polyester) or vinyl (one colour per layer), DTF reproduces photographs and gradients in full colour in a single pass.

How the process works step by step

The flow is always the same: the colour design is printed on the film, a white layer is printed underneath for opacity, the adhesive is dusted on and cured with heat. The result is a transfer ready to apply whenever you want.

CMYK + white printing on the PET film
Adhesive powder applied and cured
Pressed onto the garment (160–180 °C, 10–15 s)
Film peeled cold or hot depending on the type

Which fabrics and garments it works on

DTF is very versatile: cotton, polyester, blends, technical fabrics and even dark garments thanks to the white layer. T-shirts, hoodies, caps, tote bags, workwear and sportswear are the most common supports.

Only on very heat-sensitive fabrics (fine nylon, waterproofs) is it worth running a test first, adjusting temperature and time.

Advantages over screen printing and vinyl

Compared with screen printing, DTF needs no screens or minimums: it pays off from a single unit and takes every colour at no extra cost. Compared with vinyl, it reproduces fine detail, photographs and gradients, with no need to weed each colour by hand.

No screens or minimums: worth it from 1 unit
Every colour and gradient in a single pass
Light, stretchy feel that moves with the garment
Good durability: 50+ washes when well applied

Limitations and what it is NOT for

Textile DTF is made for fabric, not rigid surfaces: for glass, metal, plastic or wood you use UV DTF. On runs of thousands of single-colour units, screen printing can be cheaper per garment. And a badly prepared file (low resolution or no transparent background) ruins any technique.

If your design is for a bottle, a laptop or a hard surface, see our UV DTF stickers guide.

Related guides

Key data

Meaning: Direct to Film
Supports: Cotton, polyester, blends, technical
Colour: CMYK + white, full colour in one pass
Application: Heat press 160–180 °C, 10–15 s
Durability: 50+ washes when well applied
Minimum order: From 1 metre or 1 sheet