Written by the DTF Prints team. Last updated:
The short answer
DTF stands for direct to film. It is a way of printing a design onto a clear film and pressing it onto fabric with heat. The printer lays down color and then white ink on the film, hot-melt adhesive powder goes on while the ink is wet, and a heat press bonds the finished transfer to the garment.
The sections below cover the process, what DTF can be pressed on, how it compares with other methods and how to wash a print. The DTF transfer FAQ has shorter answers.
What DTF stands for
DTF is short for direct to film. The film is a clear PET sheet that carries the design. The print goes onto the film first and onto the garment second, and that order is the difference between DTF and direct to garment (DTG) printing. Mimaki, a printer manufacturer, says DTG applies ink straight to the garment, while DTF makes a transfer that an operator then heat presses onto the garment.
Because the transfer is a separate object, it can be printed in one place and pressed in another. DTF transfers can be stored and pressed later, and they keep for 6 to 12+ months when stored flat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
DTF also has an unrelated slang meaning in text messages. This guide covers the printing term only.
A DTF transfer is a printed film that is ready to press. A gang sheet is one sheet that holds several designs, and you pay for the sheet size instead of paying per design.
How DTF printing works, in four steps
- Print the color. A DTF inkjet printer prints the design in full color onto clear PET film using water-based CMYK ink.
- Print the white layer. White ink goes behind the colors so the design looks bright on any fabric color. This layer is why a DTF design shows up on black and other dark garments.
- Apply and cure the powder. Hot-melt adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink and cured. Mimaki describes the film passing through a dryer that dries the ink and smooths the powder layer.
- Heat press the transfer. The finished transfer is pressed onto the garment at 300°F (149°C) for 12 to 15 seconds.
Standard transfers use medium-firm pressure of 40 to 60 PSI and a hot peel. See how to press DTF transfers for the full settings and the peel steps for glitter and glow in the dark transfers.
When you buy finished transfers, steps one to three are done before the sheet ships. Step four is the only part you do, and the only equipment you need is a heat press.
What DTF can be pressed on
DTF transfers work on 100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton and polyester blends, tri-blends, nylon, rayon, denim, canvas and leather. Mimaki lists cotton, polyester, many blends, and some silks and leathers. Cotton and polyester take the same standard settings, with no dye migration or scorching when the transfer is applied correctly.
Two cases need extra care. Some performance and athletic fabrics have waterproof or treated coatings that resist adhesion. Mimaki likewise advises testing garments with stretch or repellent finishes.
Hard surfaces need a different product. DTF is designed primarily for textiles. Some crafters have applied transfers to smooth wood, ceramic mugs and phone cases, but adhesion varies and is not guaranteed on non-fabric items. For metal, glass, wood and plastic, use UV DTF decals, which are made for hard surfaces. UV DTF transfers need additional production time, so call us before ordering if you have a tight deadline.
Sublimation is a separate method for polyester items and polymer-coated products such as mugs. Epson states that dye-sublimation requires polyester fabrics or polymer-coated surfaces. We sell sublimation transfer sheets for those projects. Mimaki also notes that sublimation ink does not adhere or cure correctly on DTF film, so the two methods use different inks and materials.
DTF compared with sublimation, screen printing and heat transfer vinyl
The table compares the four methods. Facts come from our FAQ or from the manufacturer pages named in the cells and listed under Sources.
| Method | How the design is made | What it works on | Color and detail | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF | Printed in color, then white, on PET film. Adhesive powder is cured on the film and a heat press bonds it to the item. | Cotton, polyester, blends and other textiles. | Full color. The white layer lets the design show on dark fabric. | No screens, cutting or weeding. DTF-Prints.com has no setup fee and no minimum order. |
| Sublimation | Printed with sublimation ink on transfer paper. Heat turns the ink to gas, which bonds with the coating or fabric. | Polyester fabric and polymer-coated surfaces such as mugs (Epson). | Works on white or light colors only. | Needs transfer paper, heat and pressure (Epson). The ink has no feel on the fabric. |
| Screen printing | A separate screen is made for each color, so artwork is split by color first. | Garments. | Each ink color needs its own screen. | Minimums are often 24 to 50+ pieces. |
| Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) | A design is cut from vinyl, the extra vinyl is weeded away, and heat activates the adhesive (Siser). | Fabric. | Detailed or multi-color designs take a long time to cut and weed. | The file must be mirrored before cutting (Siser). |
Sublimation is a good choice if you only print on white polyester, and heat transfer vinyl can work for simple one-color text. Screen printing may cost less at very high volumes, 500 or more pieces, while DTF suits small runs and single pieces because there are no screens to build.
On feel, DTF is a soft, thin film that moves with the fabric, thinner and more flexible than heat transfer vinyl. Sublimation has no feel at all because the ink becomes part of the fabric. The FAQ has a longer comparison that also covers DTG.
How long DTF lasts and how to wash it
DTF transfers last 50 to 100+ washes without significant cracking, peeling or fading when they are pressed correctly and cared for properly. Durability depends on three things: full adhesion from a good press, correct washing and garment quality. Mimaki adds that wash durability depends on the film, the powder, the press pressure, the temperature and the peel method.
See how to press DTF transfers for the full washing and care steps.
DTF questions
What does DTF stand for?
DTF stands for direct to film. The design is printed onto a clear film first and pressed onto the garment second, which is different from direct to garment (DTG) printing, where ink goes straight onto the fabric.
What is DTF printing?
DTF printing is a method where a design is printed in full color, plus a white layer, onto PET film using water-based CMYK and white inks. Hot-melt adhesive powder is cured onto the ink, and a heat press then bonds the finished transfer to fabric at 300°F (149°C) for 12 to 15 seconds.
Is DTF the same as DTG?
No. DTG prints ink directly onto a garment, while DTF prints onto film that is pressed on later. DTF works on any fabric color without pretreatment, DTG needs pretreatment for dark fabrics, and DTG is slightly softer to the touch but limited to cotton-heavy fabrics.
What can you put a DTF transfer on?
DTF transfers work on 100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton and polyester blends, tri-blends, nylon, rayon, denim, canvas and leather. Waterproof or treated performance fabrics can resist adhesion. For hard surfaces, use UV DTF decals or sublimation on polymer-coated items.
How long does a DTF print last?
A transfer lasts 50 to 100+ washes without significant cracking, peeling or fading when it is pressed correctly and cared for properly. Pressing, washing and garment quality all matter.
Do I need a DTF printer to use DTF transfers?
No. When you buy finished transfers, you only need a heat press with adjustable temperature, time and pressure. The printing, white layer and powder steps are already done. DTF-Prints.com has no minimum order and no setup fee on DTF transfers, so you can order a single sheet.
Order DTF transfers
Build a sheet with several designs in our gang sheet builder product, where hot peel gang sheets start at $0.012 per square inch. Check the most popular DTF transfer sizes if you are not sure what size to pick, or use the DTF calculator for an estimate. If you want finished designs without uploading artwork, browse ready to press transfers.
Orders placed before 4 PM ET, Monday to Friday, get same-day processing. Free shipping applies over $35. In Tampa, FL, see DTF transfers in Tampa for pickup at 9203 N 19th St and the 24/7 pickup locker. If you are still deciding where to buy, read where to buy DTF transfers. You can also call us at (386) 327-0009.
Sources
Outside sources, read on October 14, 2026.
- Mimaki Europe, "What is DTF printing?"
- Epson, "Unlock New Creative Potential with Dye-Sublimation Printing"
- Siser North America, "10 Heat Transfer Vinyl Tips and Tricks Pt.1"
DTF-Prints.com facts on this page come from our FAQ, the Tampa page and our product pages.