DTF, which is short for "direct to film", is a heat transfer made for decorating garments and other goods.
Direct-To-Film transfers combine printed inks with a transfer powder, which when applied using a heat press or even a hand iron, will transfer onto most fabrics (and even some hard surfaces)
DTF Transfers are made using the following basic process:
- Printing CMYK ink directly onto a heat transfer film or carrier
- A powder adhesive is applied to the wet ink
- Then the transfer is put into a dryer where the ink and adhesive is cured
The finished transfer can then be stored or transferred to a garment using a heat press.
So, are all DTF Transfers made the same? No. There are a wide range of differences and variations, usually dependent on the type of ink, adhesive, and film used.
- Some inks will vary in thickness and opacity which will affect print quality. And some DTF printers use more than the basic CMYK inks, allowing for a wider range of Reds, Greens, and Blues.
- Transfer films can affect the quality of your DTF print, as well as how quickly or easily you can peel it off.
- Adhesives vary from large particles to small. This will not only change how the transfer feels after you apply it but also can result in extra adhesive specks showing up on your garment around transfer.
Our advice to anyone trying out DTF Transfers for the first time is - do your research, ask questions, and get samples before you buy.
See the other articles in our Help Center
to learn more. Or you can contact our DTF Customer Service team for answers to more specific questions.
Phone: 800-234-4890