Sample Pack — DTF Transfers for Clothing

• DTF, or Direct-to-Film, printing is a cutting-edge method that involves transferring vivid designs onto a specialized film through a unique printing process. This film is then applied to various materials via heat press, enabling the seamless and detailed reproduction of vibrant colors and complex designs.
• DTF printing is compatible with a diverse range of materials, including cotton, polyester, and blends, making it a versatile choice for businesses. Adopting DTF allows for the creation of retail-quality products that can be sold at premium prices and produced in large volumes, thus fostering new opportunities for business expansion and increased profitability.

1. Comparison to Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

• Application Process: HTV requires cutting and weeding the design from the vinyl, which can be time-consuming, especially for intricate designs. DTF printing eliminates the need for weeding, as the entire design is printed and then transferred.
• Material Versatility: HTV works well on a variety of fabrics but can feel heavier and less flexible. DTF transfers are thinner and can feel more integrated with the fabric, allowing for more breathability.
• Production Speed: DTF significantly speeds up production as multiple designs can be printed on a roll of film and then applied, as opposed to individual weeding and application required for HTV.

2. Comparison to Screen Printing

• Setup Time and Cost: Screen printing requires creating screens for each color, making it less efficient for small runs or designs with many colors. DTF prints any number of colors in one pass without additional setup costs.
• Print Quality on Dark Fabrics: While screen printing requires an underbase for dark fabrics, DTF achieves high-quality prints on any color fabric without additional layers.
• Environmental Impact: Screen printing can involve solvents and more waste (excess ink, screens), whereas DTF is a more contained process with less waste.

3. Comparison to Sublimation

• Fabric Restrictions: Sublimation is limited to light-colored polyester fabrics for full-color vibrancy. DTF can be used on any colored fabrics, including dark and light, and extends beyond polyester to include cotton, blends, and more.
• Durability and Feel: Sublimation dyes the fabric itself, resulting in no feel on the fabric (no hand), whereas DTF leaves a thin film on top of the fabric. However, DTF prints are very durable and can withstand rigorous washing.
• Setup and Equipment Costs: Sublimation requires specific printers and heat presses that can reach high temperatures, whereas DTF can utilize a variety of heat presses and works with specialized DTF printers.

4. Comparison to White Laser Toner

• Print Capabilities: White laser toner is beneficial for adding white elements or underbases but generally lacks the color range and vibrancy of DTF prints.
• Heat Sensitivity: Laser toner printing requires materials that can withstand the high heat of a laser printer, limiting its use on heat-sensitive fabrics. DTF is more flexible with heat-sensitive materials.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Ongoing costs for laser toner can be high, particularly with white toner, which is more expensive than standard colors. DTF can be more cost-effective for larger volumes due to the lower cost of inks and films.

5. Comparison to Direct to Garment (DTG)

• Print Detail and Quality: DTG is known for its high detail and quality, especially suitable for complex, multi-colored designs. DTF also produces high-quality prints but transfers a film rather than printing directly into the fabric.
• Production Speed for Small Orders: DTG is excellent for small, custom orders but can be slower for larger runs. DTF is faster for scaling up production as it involves a straightforward transfer process.
• Ink and Pre-treatment Costs: DTG requires significant ink costs and pre-treatment of dark fabrics, which adds to the production time and cost. DTF streamlines costs as it does not require fabric pre-treatment.

• DTF printing is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester, blends, leather, and more. It is particularly useful for textiles but can also be used on non-textile surfaces that can withstand the heat press temperatures required for transfer.

Our dtf heat transfers must be applied using a heat press machine.

• Set 275-300ºF, high pressure
• Press for 7-10 seconds
• Wait 10-15 seconds to cool
• Peel when it feels luke warm
• Second press with kraft paper for durability & matte finish

• Heat Press — To apply dtf transfers onto garment and requires 275-300ºF of high pressure to correctly adhere and pass wash durability tests
• Scissors — For separating transfers
• Kraft Paper (Optional) — Used as cover sheet to achieve matte finish during second press

• DTF prints can be layered, allowing for vibrant multi-colored designs. They can also be combined with other embellishments such as embroidery, screen printing, or additional DTF layers. Test each combination to ensure compatibility and quality. Layering, however, would increase the thickness of the print.

• A gang sheet is like a big sticker page where lots of pictures or designs are placed really close together. This way, you can fit more pictures on one sheet and not waste any space. It's a smart way to make sure you use every bit of the page when you're printing.

• We bring over a decade of expertise in graphic printed apparel to make DTF printing reliable, easy to use, and cost-effective for our customers. Our services are tailored to unlock the full potential of DTF, ensuring you get the best results every time.

Files for DTF printing should be prepared in

• High resolution, ideally 300 dpi or higher
• Colors set to CMYK with Adobe Illustrator profile set to FOGRA39
• DO NOT mirror designs
• Use software that supports transparency, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
• Accepted file types: pdf, ai, png, eps, svg, jpg, psd

Transfer Superstars does not permit cancellations or issue refunds once an order has been paid. If you receive a transfer that is damaged or if any issues arise with your order, please contact our support team for assistance.