DTF printing (direct to film) prints your design in full colour onto a clear PET film, adds white ink and a powder adhesive, cures it, and then heat presses it onto the garment. It works on cotton, polyester, blends, dark and light colours, with no screens, so one shirt costs the same to set up as fifty. You can buy ready to press transfers or have the printer press them for you. Tell us what you need printed, how many and the sizes, and we pass it to DTF printers near you. The request is free, with no obligation.
What is DTF printing?
A DTF printer lays down colour ink, then a layer of white, on film. Hot melt powder sticks to the wet ink and is cured, and the finished transfer is pressed on with heat and pressure. You can order:
- Single transfers in set sizes such as A6, A5, A4 and A3.
- Gang sheets: a roll, often about 55 to 60 cm wide, filled with as many designs as fit, sold per running metre.
- Pressed garments: the printer supplies the shirt and presses it.
- UV DTF: sticker-like transfers for hard items such as bottles and tumblers.
When to choose DTF
DTF suits short runs, many colours, photos and orders where every shirt is different. It prints well on cotton and dark fabrics where sublimation cannot. On long runs of one simple design, screen printing is usually cheaper per shirt and lasts longer. The print sits on the surface with a slight film feel, so very large solid prints feel heavier. DTF also works on caps, bags, aprons and workwear pockets. Ask for transfers only if you have a heat press that reaches the right temperature and pressure.
Files, sizes and pressing
Send a PNG with a transparent background at about 300 dpi at the printed size, or a vector PDF. Anything not transparent prints as a box. On a gang sheet, leave a few millimetres between designs for cutting. Common sizes: left chest about 100 x 100 mm, A4 for a front, A3 for a large back. If you press yourself, follow the printer's time, temperature and peel instructions (hot or cold peel), and press again briefly after peeling. Wash inside out, cold, and do not iron over the print. For mixed jobs, see T-shirt printing.
What affects the price
Transfers are priced by size or by the metre of gang sheet; pressed garments add the shirt and the pressing. Ask each DTF printer:
- The price per transfer size, and per metre of gang sheet?
- Is pressing included, and what does a blank shirt cost?
- Is there an artwork fee for fixing files?
- Is it hot or cold peel, and is VAT included?
What to include in your request
- Transfers only or pressed garments
- Sizes and number of each design
- Garment type and colour
- Gang sheet length if you know it
- Collection or courier, and the date
DTF Printing for different clients
- Families and individuals: a photo shirt for a birthday, a memorial tee or a gift hoodie
- Small businesses and start-ups: a few full colour staff shirts or merchandise drops without screen setup costs
- Companies and offices: short runs of full colour shirts for a team building day or a launch
- Shops, restaurants and salons: small batches of printed merchandise and staff shirts restocked as needed
- Events, conferences and clubs: shirts with different sponsor blocks, names or dates on each one
- Schools, churches and NGOs: matric jackets with names, small club runs and full colour tour shirts
- Government and municipalities: short run campaign shirts with photos for clinics and awareness days
- Designers, agencies and resellers: gang sheets and transfers for clothing resellers who press their own stock
Frequently asked questions
How much does DTF printing cost?
Where can I find DTF printing near me?
Is DTF better than screen printing?
Can I press DTF transfers myself?
DTF Printing by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg