If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own custom shirts, hoodies, or tote bags without spending a fortune or dealing with messy screens, there’s some exciting news. Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is quickly becoming the go-to solution for small-run and on-demand printing.

Why? Because DTF printing is affordable, flexible, and produces eye-popping colors on a wide range of fabrics — even on dark garments and blends. Unlike older methods, you don’t have to pretreat shirts, and you’re not stuck with huge minimum orders. Whether you’re a small business owner, an Etsy seller, or just a hobbyist, DTF technology makes it easy to bring your creative ideas to life.

It’s also why many shops now buy wholesale DTF transfers or even sell DTF transfers wholesale to other local printers. This way, you can press high-quality designs on demand, without needing your own printer right away.

How Does DTF Printing Work?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing works by printing a design onto a special PET film using DTF inks, applying a powdered adhesive, curing it, and then heat pressing it onto fabric. This process creates vibrant, durable prints on cotton, polyester, and blends — all without pre-treating the garment.

What is DTF Printing?

The Basics of DTF Printing

Direct-to-Film printing, or simply DTF, is a modern garment decoration method that involves printing your design on a clear PET transfer film instead of directly on fabric. After printing, you add a hot melt powder, cure it, and then heat press the design onto your shirt or other fabric.

This is different from Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, which prints directly on the fabric and often needs a pretreatment solution. It also differs from sublimation, which works best on light-colored polyester, and screen printing, which can be messy and costly for small runs.

This process is so versatile that many suppliers now offer DTF transfers wholesale. You can simply order your designs pre-printed on film in bulk, then press them as needed. It’s a smart way for local print shops or small brands to scale up without the upfront investment of buying a DTF printer.

Quick Pros & Cons of DTF Printing

Let’s break it down so you can see why DTF printing is catching on so fast.

Pros:

• Works on cotton, polyester, blends, and even leather

• No pretreating needed — just print, powder, press

• Sharp, vibrant colors that pop on dark fabrics

• Great for small orders or one-offs

• Durable and stretchy prints

• Easy to outsource using wholesale DTF transfers if you don’t have your own printer yet
  

Cons:

• Initial setup cost for a DTF printer and heat press is still an investment

• Slightly more steps than basic heat transfer vinyl

• You’ll need to store powders and films properly to keep them fresh

Why This Matters to You

If you run a small custom apparel shop, sell on Etsy or Shopify, or just want to print your own team shirts, DTF printing offers a low-risk way to create high-quality garments without needing huge batches.

It also gives you the flexibility to either print in-house or buy wholesale DTF transfers that are ready to press. That means you can fulfill orders for just 5 or 10 shirts without turning customers away, and still deliver the same pro-level quality.

The Step-by-Step DTF Printing Process

Now that you know what DTF printing is and why it’s getting so popular, let’s walk through exactly how it works. This process is surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Here’s how you can go from a digital design on your computer to a stunning, long-lasting print on a shirt.

1. Preparing Your Design with RIP Software

Everything starts with your digital artwork file. You’ll typically create your design in a program like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or Photoshop. Once it’s ready, you’ll use RIP software (Raster Image Processor) to prepare the file for printing.

Why do you need RIP software? Because it does several important things:

• Separates colors properly for your printer.

• Lays down a white underbase, which is crucial for printing on dark garments.

• Helps manage ink levels and color profiles, so your colors stay accurate and bright.

Without the right RIP software, your prints might come out dull, patchy, or misaligned. Popular RIP options for DTF printing include Acrorip, CADlink, and DigiRIP.

Tip: Always check your artwork resolution. Aim for 300 DPI so your final print stays sharp.

2. Printing on PET Film

Once your file is processed, it’s time to print on PET transfer film. These are clear, heat-stable sheets specially designed to handle DTF inks.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Your DTF printer prints the color layer first, directly onto the PET film.

• Then it immediately prints a white layer on top, creating a solid, opaque base. This is what allows your designs to look bright even on dark shirts.
  

DTF printers use special pigment-based inks that bond well with the hot melt adhesive powder in the next step. Make sure to use films and inks that are compatible with each other. Mixing brands can lead to poor adhesion or color shifts.

3. Applying the Hot Melt Powder

This step is what makes DTF printing unique. As soon as your print comes off the printer:

• Sprinkle the hot melt powder evenly across the wet ink.

• Gently shake and tilt the film so the powder covers all printed areas.

• Knock off any extra powder so it only sticks to the ink.
  

The hot melt powder is a fine adhesive that melts when heated, allowing your design to bond to fabric. If you miss spots or apply too much, you can end up with patchy prints or stiff areas.

4. Curing the Powder

Next, you need to melt the powder onto the print, so it’s ready to transfer. This is called curing.

• You can use a curing oven (which keeps the film flat and ensures even melting) or simply a heat gun.

• Typical settings are 160–170°C (320–340°F) for about 2–3 minutes.
  

You’ll know it’s ready when the powder turns from a grainy texture to a smooth, glossy look.

Tip: Don’t overheat. Too much time or temperature can make the adhesive brittle, causing cracks after washing.

5. Heat Pressing Onto the Garment

Now the magic happens. Place your cured PET film onto your shirt, design side down.

• Set your heat press to around 160–165°C (320–330°F) with medium to firm pressure.

• Press for 12–15 seconds, then peel the film. Some transfers work best with a hot peel, others a cold peel (waiting for it to cool before removing). Always follow your film manufacturer’s guidelines.
  

After peeling, do a quick 5-second repress with a sheet of parchment or Teflon on top. This locks in the design and gives it a soft, professional finish.

Essential Equipment & Supplies You’ll Need for DTF Printing

By now, you’ve seen how straightforward the DTF printing process is. But to get started, you’ll need some essential equipment and supplies. The good news? Many of these tools are one-time investments that pay for themselves quickly if you plan to sell custom apparel.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need, what it does, and about how much you might spend.

The Core DTF Printing Equipment

1. DTF Printer

This is the heart of your operation. A DTF printer looks similar to a small photo printer but is specially designed to handle DTF inks and PET film sheets.

• Many setups use converted Epson printers (like the L1800), which are affordable but slower.

• Dedicated commercial DTF printers (12–24 inches wide) can run multiple shirts at once and print faster.

Typical cost:

• Converted Epson printers: $400–$1,000

• True commercial DTF printers: $3,000–$8,000
  

2. RIP Software

You’ll need RIP software to prepare your artwork files. This is what separates colors, manages ink channels, and creates the white underbase.

• Popular options: Acrorip, CADlink Digital Factory, DigiRIP.
  

Typical cost:

• One-time license: $300–$1,200 depending on features.
  

3. Heat Press Machine

After preparing and curing your transfer, you’ll use a heat press to permanently apply the design to fabric.

• Look for a press with adjustable pressure and accurate temperature control.

• A 15” x 15” clamshell heat press works well for most shirts. Swing-away presses offer more space but cost a bit more.
  

Typical cost:

• Starter models: $200–$400

• Heavy-duty models: $600–$1,200
  

The Vital DTF Printing Supplies

4. PET Film Sheets or Rolls

This is where your design is printed before transferring to fabric. PET film is heat-resistant and treated to accept DTF inks.

• Available in A4, A3 sheets or wide rolls for bigger printers.

• Matte films help reduce static and ghosting.
  

Typical cost:

• About $0.40–$0.80 per sheet or $50–$100 per 100-foot roll.
  

5. DTF Inks

Specially formulated pigment inks for DTF have high color density and flexibility. They’re designed to stick to the hot melt powder and stay bright after many washes.

• Inks come in CMYK plus white. White is crucial for printing on dark garments.
  

Typical cost:

• Around $20–$40 per 100ml bottle. Larger bulk orders lower costs.
  

6. Hot Melt Adhesive Powder

The hot melt powder sticks to your printed design and melts during curing, bonding it to the shirt.

• Most shops use TPU-based powders, which stay soft and stretchy.
  

Typical cost:

• About $15–$30 per pound, enough for hundreds of transfers.

Extra Helpful Tools

• Curing oven or small convection oven: More consistent than a heat gun for melting powder, starting around $200.

• Heat gun: Useful for spot curing or small batches, about $30–$50.

• Teflon or parchment sheets: To protect your heat press and give transfers a smooth finish.

Why Investing in Quality Matters

It might seem tempting to cut corners on DTF printers, inks, or powders by buying the cheapest options online. But low-quality supplies can lead to:

• Clogged print heads

• Faded or cracked prints after a few washes

• Poor adhesion on shirts
  

Investing in reliable brands will save you frustration (and reprints). A well-set-up DTF system pays for itself after just a few dozen shirts.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting for DTF Printing

Even though DTF printing is simpler than many traditional methods, beginners often hit a few snags. Let’s clear up some of the most common questions and problems, so you can keep your production running smoothly.

Why is My DTF Print Peeling or Cracking?

If your DTF transfers start peeling after just a few washes, or if you see cracks when stretching the fabric, it usually comes down to three things:

• Not enough heat or pressure: Your heat press might be running too cool or you didn’t press long enough. Always double-check with an infrared thermometer and test different press times.

• Improper powder curing: If the hot melt powder isn’t fully melted, it won’t bond properly. Make sure you see a smooth, glossy look on the film after curing.

• Low-quality powder or film: Cheaper powders may have inconsistent melt points, causing adhesion problems. Stick to trusted suppliers.
  

How Long Do DTF Prints Actually Last?

When done correctly, DTF transfers easily last 50–70 washes without major fading or cracking. That’s on par with or even better than screen printing or DTG prints.

For best results, recommend customers wash inside out, in cold water, and avoid high-heat drying. That will dramatically extend the life of the print.

DTF Printing vs. DTG, Sublimation & Screen Printing

A lot of people wonder: how does DTF printing stack up against other popular printing methods? Here’s a simple side-by-side comparison.

Method	Best for	Fabric Types	Vibrancy on Darks	Setup Cost	Print Feel
DTF	Small runs, custom jobs	Cotton, blends, poly, leather	Excellent	Medium	Soft/stretchy
DTG	Photorealistic on cotton	Cotton	Good (needs pretreat)	Medium-High	Very soft
Sublimation	Poly-rich items, mugs	100% polyester, hard goods	Great (on light colors only)	Low-Medium	Feels dyed in
Screen Printing	Bulk orders	Most fabrics	Excellent	High	Can be heavy

Quick take:

• DTF printing is incredibly versatile. It handles dark garments and different fabrics better than sublimation and without the constant pretreat needed by DTG.

• Screen printing is still king for large runs (like 200+ shirts) because it’s cheap per shirt, but it’s messy and expensive to set up for small orders.

Ready to Start DTF Printing?

If you’ve been dreaming about selling your own custom shirts, or want to add small-batch garment printing to your existing shop, there’s really never been a better time.

With a solid DTF printer setup, you can start fulfilling orders with just a few shirts at a time, test new designs without risk, and offer customers vibrant prints on everything from cotton hoodies to polyester bags.

Want to dive in deeper?

• Download our beginner’s DTF printing checklist to get a handy startup guide with recommended settings and a supplier list.

• Or, if you’re ready to scale, reach out for a quote on professional DTF printer bundles.
  

(FAQs)

Can you do DTF printing at home?

Yes. Many small businesses start with a converted Epson DTF printer on a tabletop. Just make sure you have proper ventilation for curing powder.

How long do DTF transfers last on shirts?

Generally 50–70 washes, with colors staying bright if washed inside out and dried on low heat.

Is DTF better than vinyl?

For multicolor or detailed prints, absolutely. DTF transfers are softer, stretch more naturally, and don’t peel like vinyl after repeated washes.

Wrapping Up

DTF printing is one of the most exciting new technologies in the custom apparel world. It combines the bright colors of sublimation, the versatility of vinyl, and the soft feel of DTG, all while handling small runs with ease.

By learning the process step by step and investing in quality DTF equipment and supplies, you can unlock huge creative freedom — and grow your business or hobby on your own terms.