Print methods
DTF printing onto fabric
DTF, direct-to-film, is the workhorse behind most of our printed clothing. A design is printed onto transfer film with pigment inks and a hot-melt adhesive, then heat pressed into the garment. The result is a full-colour, flexible, hard-wearing print that works on almost any fabric, in any quantity from one.
How DTF works
01
Artwork prep
Your logo or design is set up at 300dpi, colour-managed and mirrored ready for film. Vector files give the crispest edges, but high-resolution photographs work too.
02
Print to film
Water-based pigment inks are printed onto PET transfer film in CMYK, with a dedicated white ink layer laid underneath so colours stay true on dark garments.
03
Adhesive powder
A hot-melt polyurethane adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink and cured with heat, forming a flexible film that will bond to fabric fibres.
04
Heat press
The transfer is pressed onto the garment at roughly 150–165°C with firm, even pressure, then peeled and given a second press to lock the finish.
Why we recommend it
Unlimited colours, one press
Full CMYK plus white means gradients, photographs, drop shadows and hundreds of colours print in a single pass, no per-colour screen charges like screen printing.
Very fine detail
Text down to around 3–4mm, hairlines, thin outlines and small registered marks hold sharply because the ink sits on film before it ever touches fabric.
Works on almost any fabric
Cotton, polyester, poly-cotton, nylon, fleece, softshell, denim and canvas all accept DTF, with no pretreatment and no fabric-specific inks.
Built to last
Correctly applied DTF is tested to 50+ wash cycles, and up to around 100 with careful care, without meaningful cracking, peeling or fade.
Stretches and rebounds
The polyurethane adhesive flexes with the garment, so prints on jersey, ribbing and performance stretch fabrics recover instead of splitting.
No minimums, fast turnaround
Because there are no screens to make, a single garment costs the same per print as fifty, ideal for samples, one-offs and repeat top-ups.
Colour & detail
DTF prints in CMYK with an underbase of white ink, so a bright brand colour reads the same on a black hoodie as it does on a white tee. Photographic images, soft gradients, glows and duotones all reproduce cleanly, the things that force extra screens and cost in screen printing.
We colour-match to Pantone references by eye and by profile. Because inks are mixed on the film rather than pulled from a pot, very close matches are achievable, though fluorescents, metallics and some deep spot colours sit slightly outside the CMYK gamut and are best confirmed with a sample.
For detail, aim for 300dpi artwork or vector files. Fine serifs, 0.5pt rules, small legal text and intricate line illustration all hold. Knockouts and transparent areas are genuine gaps in the film, so a design can look like it has been printed straight into the cloth rather than sat on a patch.
Artwork we can work with
AI, EPS, PDF or SVG vector files are ideal. PNG with a transparent background at 300dpi at final print size also works well. Avoid low-resolution JPEGs and screenshots, they soften edges and can leave visible white fringing.
Sizes & placements
Typical print areas. Our customiser converts your logo size to centimetres and scales it against the actual garment size you pick.
| Placement | Typical size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Left chest / pocket | 8–10cm wide | Logos on polos, softshells and workwear shirts |
| Standard front | 20–28cm wide | The everyday t-shirt and hoodie front print |
| Large front / full back | Up to 30 × 40cm | Bold graphics, event artwork, team backs |
| Oversize | Up to 58cm wide | Wide back prints and all-over front placements |
| Sleeve | 5–8cm wide | Sleeve logos, cuffs and side seams |
| Caps & bags | 6–20cm wide | Front panels, bib fronts and tote faces |
Chest widths change with garment size, a small is roughly 40cm across, a 3XL around 60cm. A 25cm logo dominates a small and sits comfortably on a 3XL, so we always preview against the size ordered.
How long it lasts
Industry testing puts correctly applied DTF at 50 or more wash cycles with minimal cracking or fade, and up to around 100 washes when garments are cared for properly. In practice the print usually outlives the garment.
Four things decide where you land in that range: ink and powder consistency at the print stage, the fabric itself, press temperature, time and pressure, and the way the garment is washed. Cotton-rich blends tend to hold slightly better than pure cotton or pure polyester, and a second press after peeling makes a measurable difference to adhesion.
50+
Wash cycles as standard
~100
With careful washing
No MOQ
One garment or one thousand
Care guide
- Leave 24 hours after pressing before the first wash so the adhesive fully sets.
- Wash at 30°C, inside out, on a normal or gentle cycle.
- Skip fabric softener, it coats fibres and weakens the bond over time.
- Tumble dry low or line dry; high heat is the fastest way to age a print.
- Never iron directly onto the print, press on the reverse if needed.
DTF vs embroidery vs vinyl
DTF print
Full colour, photographic detail, soft flexible finish. Best for merch, teamwear, event kit and any multi-colour logo.
Embroidery
Stitched thread with a premium, textured feel. The corporate standard for polos, softshells and caps, but limited on fine detail and gradients.
Vinyl transfer
Cut solid colour. Ideal for names, numbers and short personalised runs where each garment differs.
Unsure which method suits your artwork?
Send us your logo and the garments you have in mind. We'll tell you honestly whether DTF, embroidery or vinyl will give the best result, and what it will cost.