Direct-to-film, explained

What is DTF printing—and how does it work?

DTF creates a ready-to-press transfer by printing artwork onto film, adding an adhesive layer and curing it. Heat and pressure then move the design from the film onto a compatible garment.

Choose a gang sheet path Compare methods

The short answer

DTF and DTP separate printing from pressing.

Instead of printing directly onto the garment, the design is produced on a carrier first — PET film for DTF, a paper carrier for DTP. That finished transfer can then be positioned and applied to the garment with a heat press.

This makes it possible to order printed transfers while handling garment selection and pressing separately.

DTF and DTP

Same process. Different carrier.

DTP follows the same steps as DTF — print, apply adhesive powder, cure, then press. The difference is what carries the print: a paper carrier with a release coating instead of PET film. Both take the same artwork file and the same 58 cm sheet sizes.

DTF · PET film

The familiar film transfer

Hot peel. Our workshop presses DTF at 150°C for 5 seconds as a reference.

Order DTF gang sheets →
DTP · paper carrier

Printed on paper, pressed cooler

Hot peel. Our workshop presses DTP at 130°C for 4 seconds as a reference.

Order DTP gang sheets →
A printed transfer on its carrier, ready to pressCOLOUR · WHITE · ADHESIVE

What is on the transfer?

A transfer is more than printed colour.

The artwork is built as a controlled set of layers. Colour forms the visible design, white ink provides backing, and adhesive prepares the image to bond during pressing. The carrier — film for DTF, paper for DTP — holds everything in place until application.

How those layers are printed, powdered and cured affects the transfer that reaches your press.

See our production workflow →

From file to garment

The complete process in five steps.

  1. 01

    Prepare the artwork

    Set the intended print size, remove unwanted backgrounds and inspect the source at full size.

  2. 02

    Print onto the carrier

    The design is printed in colour with a supporting white-ink layer — onto PET film for DTF, or a paper carrier for DTP.

  3. 03

    Add and cure adhesive

    Adhesive powder is applied to the printed layer, excess is removed and controlled heat sets the transfer.

  4. 04

    Position and press

    The transfer is placed on a compatible garment and pressed, starting from the published settings for the carrier and adjusted to suit the press and fabric.

  5. 05

    Peel and finish

    The carrier is peeled while hot, then the finished application is checked.

Where DTF fits

Useful when artwork and orders need flexibility.

A GOOD FIT WHEN
  • Artwork uses detailed colour or fine elements
  • A sheet contains several designs or sizes
  • Quantities or garment types vary across jobs
  • You want transfers ready for your own heat press
WATCH FOR
  • Source artwork still controls edge quality and detail
  • Final size must be checked before production
  • Heat, pressure and peel method must match the transfer
  • Unfamiliar garments should be tested first
Compare DTF with other methods →
Finished transfer pressed onto a black garmentHEAT + PRESSURE

Before you press

Control the application—not just the print.

You need a suitable heat press, a compatible garment and a starting point for your settings—ours are in the application guide. Seams, zips and raised areas can prevent even contact, so test an unfamiliar garment before committing to the complete run.

Read application guidance