Full color and photos
Gradients, photos and fine text print cleanly, with no limit on colors.
DTF Printing
Full-color, photo-ready prints for short runs and detailed artwork on cotton, blends and polyester.
DTF printing • Full color • Photos • Small runs • Dark garments
Color without a screen for every color.
DTF stands for direct to film. We print the design onto film, then heat press it onto the garment. There’s no separate screen for each color, which makes it useful for photos, gradients and artwork with lots of colors.
If you’ve got a small run of tees or hoodies with detailed art, DTF is often a good place to start. Send the design and count and we’ll price it for the garment you want. A large solid print has more feel than a small logo, so tell us if that matters to you.
What we handle.
Small runs
No screens means short runs stay cost effective. There are no minimums.
Light and dark garments
DTF prints its own white base, so colors stay bright on black and navy.
Stretch fabrics
The print flexes with the fabric, which helps on fitted shirts and athletic wear.
What we press on.
We source the blanks so we can match the fabric, surface and heat requirements to the transfer. Light or dark, cotton or polyester, the exact garment is approved before production.
- Tees
- BELLA+CANVAS, Comfort Colors, Next Level and Gildan offer different fits, weights and price points. The white underbase keeps full-color art visible on both light and dark tees.
- Hoodies and crewnecks
- Independent Trading Co., Lane Seven, Gildan and other fleece lines from lightweight layers to heavyweight hoodies. We check seams and pockets before confirming oversized or unusual placements.
- Polos
- Nike, Adidas, TravisMathew, Port Authority and OGIO are common choices. On a small polo order, DTF may cost less than embroidery when a smooth printed finish fits the brand.
- Blanks we source
- We only press on garments we supply. That lets us check the blank for the job and replace it if we make a mistake.
How we pick the method.
We choose the method job by job, based on quantity, colors, and the garment. These are the calls we make on common orders.
| Our call | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| 50 cotton tees, 4-color design | DTF | Durable, vibrant color, and cost effective at that quantity. |
| 25 hoodies, full-color photo art | DTF | Photos print cleanly, with no screens to set up. |
| 12 polos, left-chest logo | DTF or embroidery | Embroidery is available. DTF usually costs less on a small run. |
| 500 shirts, 1-color logo | Screen printing | One screen spread over a big run lowers the price per piece. We still price it both ways. |
| Team jerseys with names and numbers | Sublimation or tackle twill | Picked by your timeline, quantity, and budget. |
Artwork for DTF.
Send the best original file you have, with the size you want it printed. We’ll check it before it goes on a shirt.
Send your artFile type
A PNG or Adobe Illustrator file.
Transparent background
Leave the background transparent where the garment should show through. Soft edges and partly transparent artwork may need cleanup for the transfer.
Photos and gradients
Full-color art is welcome. Send the largest, sharpest version you have, since low resolution images blur at print size.
Need help
Send what you have and we help with the art before it prints.
The path forward.
Send the artwork
Share the largest file you have along with quantity, deadline and the garment you’re considering.
Check it at print size
We inspect resolution, transparency and fine detail, then confirm whether DTF is the right method for the job.
Approve and press
After you approve the blank, artwork and placement, production enters the two-week standard turnaround window. Rush orders are possible.
Where DTF fits.
The design, count and garment help us decide whether DTF makes sense.
Small merch drops
You don’t have to simplify a full-color design just because you’re making a small run. Send the art and count and we’ll work out the print size and price.
Full-color event shirts
Have a photo or colorful design for an event? Send it with your shirt idea and deadline. We’ll check the artwork and tell you whether the schedule works.
Mixed-garment orders
Want the design on tees and hoodies in the same order? Send the split. We’ll check each fabric and placement before deciding how to press it.
Questions people ask before ordering.
The garment, artwork and quantity can change the answer. These are the useful starting points.
Should I use DTF or screen printing?
DTF is usually the better starting point for short runs, photos, gradients and artwork with many colors. Screen printing often becomes the better value on larger runs of simpler art; a one-color design may begin to favor it around 200 pieces.
Which apparel brands work with DTF?
DTF works across many cotton, polyester and blended garments. Popular tee and fleece options include BELLA+CANVAS, Comfort Colors, Next Level, Gildan, Independent Trading Co. and Lane Seven; we confirm the fabric and finish before recommending a blank.
How long will a DTF print last?
Care makes a difference. Wash cold and inside out, skip fabric softener, and hang dry or use low heat if the garment allows it. If a print starts lifting or cracking early, contact us with a photo so we can look at it.
Is there a minimum for DTF printing?
No. DTF doesn’t require a set of screens, so one-off pieces and short runs are possible. The per-piece price still improves as the order gets larger.
Can DTF reproduce fine text and small details?
It handles fine detail well, but the source file still sets the limit. Hairline strokes, tiny reversed text and low-resolution images can disappear or soften, so we check the artwork at final print size first.
Does DTF work on dark shirts and polyester?
Yes. The transfer includes a white underbase, which keeps color visible on black, navy and other dark garments. Cotton, blends and polyester can all work, although we still test the garment and heat settings for the job.
How fast can I get DTF shirts?
Standard turnaround is two weeks after approval. Rush work may be possible depending on blank availability and the current production schedule.
Let’s build
Your next project.
Your next project.
Starts here.
Tell us what you’re looking to create. We’ll reply with next steps.
Call (818) 527-8264
Ready when you are. Use the project form at the top of this page, or give us a call.