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Decoration Technique

DTF Printing (Direct to Film)

Print on film, transfer to fabric. DTF works on any fabric — cotton, polyester, nylon, leather — with vibrant colors and a soft hand.

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Custom DTF transfer design ready for heat press application
Best For
Versatile decoration across all fabric types
Fabric
Any fabric — cotton, polyester, nylon, leather, performance blends
MOQ
50 pieces per design
Durability
Excellent — 50+ washes, soft hand-feel
Cost
$$ — versatile and cost-effective
Lead Time
10–20 days

About DTF

Direct-to-film (DTF) is the most versatile new decoration method. The design is printed onto a special transfer film using water-based ink, then heat-pressed onto the fabric. The result is a vibrant, durable print that works on virtually any fabric — cotton, polyester, nylon, leather, performance blends, even difficult-to-print materials.

DTF combines the photographic detail and unlimited colors of DTG with the versatility to print on any fabric. It is rapidly becoming the go-to method for custom apparel brands that want to print on a mix of fabric types without managing multiple decoration processes.

At SublimApparel, we run DTF on the same production line as sublimation and DTG, so we can recommend the best method for your specific garment, fabric, and artwork — and we will tell you when another method is actually a better fit.

Why Choose DTF

  • Works on virtually any fabric — cotton, poly, nylon, leather
  • Vibrant colors with photographic detail
  • Soft hand-feel — thinner than traditional transfers
  • No weeding or special equipment needed for application
  • Cost-effective for small to medium runs

Best Use Cases

Mixed fabric product lines (cotton + polyester + specialty)Custom caps and structured headwearPerformance and activewearBags, totes, and accessoriesDifficult-to-print fabrics (nylon jackets, leather patches)Small to medium custom runs

How DTF Works

  1. 1

    Print on film

    Design is printed in CMYK plus white onto a special PET transfer film using water-based DTF ink.

  2. 2

    Apply hot-melt adhesive

    Powdered adhesive is applied to the wet ink and cured, bonding the ink to the film.

  3. 3

    Cut and prepare

    Film is cut to design shape (or gang-sheeted for multiple designs).

  4. 4

    Heat-press transfer

    Film is placed on the garment and pressed at 160°C for 15 seconds. Film is peeled hot or cold depending on the system.

  5. 5

    QC & pack

    Each piece is inspected for adhesion, color accuracy, and finish before packing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DTF be used on any fabric?

Almost. DTF works on cotton, polyester, nylon, leather, performance fabrics, and most blends. It is the most versatile decoration method we offer.

Does DTF feel like a transfer?

Modern DTF is much thinner than traditional plastisol transfers. Most people cannot feel it on the fabric after washing.

Is DTF better than DTG?

Depends on the use case. DTF works on more fabrics. DTG has a softer hand-feel and is more cost-effective for very small runs. We will recommend the right method for your project.

How long does DTF last?

50+ washes without significant fading or peeling when properly applied.

Related Techniques

Custom DTG printed t-shirt on a studio surface

DTG Printing (Direct to Garment)

Inkjet-printed directly onto the garment. Photographic detail, soft hand-feel, no screen setup — perfect for short runs and one-offs on cotton.

View details
Custom sublimated t-shirt with edge-to-edge all-over print

Sublimation Printing

Dye-sublimation fuses ink into polyester fiber. Edge-to-edge print that never peels, cracks, or fades — the only way to achieve true all-over apparel.

View details
Custom screen printed t-shirt on a clean studio surface

Screen Printing

The original apparel decoration method. Cost-effective at volume, vibrant Pantone colors, and the workhorse of band merch, events, and corporate uniforms.

View details

Get a quote

Tell us your product, quantity and deadline.

You will have a landed, duty-paid price within one business day. If your deadline is not achievable, we will say so in the same reply rather than take the order and manage the problem later.

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  • Yiwu factory + Fontana, CA warehouse