Transfers
DTF transfer sheets
DTF (direct-to-film) transfer sheets — heat-pressed graphics that you apply to any garment in seconds. We print your design onto release film with white-ink underlayer, you press it onto the shirt of your choice. Works on cotton, polyester, blends, and tri-blends. No screens, no setup fees, no minimums. Print once, press onto whatever garment fits the order.
What we print
DTF film, white-ink underlayer. Each transfer is printed on heat-resistant release film with a white-ink layer beneath the color — that's why DTF works on dark garments where direct-to-garment printing fails. The underlayer makes light-on-dark designs (white text on a black hoodie, for example) look as vibrant as light-on-light.
Three sheet sizes. Small (8×10, single design or several small designs), medium (11×17, full-front or chest-and-back layout), large (16×20, oversized graphics or multi-piece runs). All sheets are gang-printable — fit as many designs as your file layout allows on the chosen sheet size.
Garment compatibility. Cotton, polyester, blends, tri-blends, performance fabrics. The only fabrics we don't recommend are nylon and waterproof shells — adhesion is poor on slick synthetic surfaces.
Press settings. 320°F (160°C) at firm pressure for 12 seconds. Hot peel — peel the film while the transfer is still warm. We send these settings on a card with every order.
Process & turnaround
Upload + size. Drop your file via the quote form or configure on the product page. Pick sheet size based on the largest design in your run.
File check. PDF, AI, EPS, SVG, or high-res PNG (300dpi). Transparent background ideal — we'll auto-mask if your file has a flat background.
Proof. Digital mockup of the gang-sheet layout via email. You confirm placement and we go to print.
Print. 5 business days standard. The DTF process is fast on our end — most of the lead time is queue. Need it in 2–3 days? Rush available for $25 flat.
Ship. Sheets ship flat in rigid envelopes — they can't be folded without cracking the print layer. Free Bay Area pickup or $8–15 USPS priority anywhere in the US.
Frequently asked questions
What press settings do I use?
320°F (160°C), firm pressure, 12 seconds, hot peel. Press once at full settings, peel the film while still warm. We include a settings card in every order.
Can I press DTF on cotton, polyester, and blends?
Yes — all three. Polyester needs slightly lower temp (300°F) for sublimation-prone garments, but standard 320°F works on most poly blends. Avoid nylon shells and waterproof fabrics.
How do I peel — hot, warm, or cold?
Hot peel. Lift the film immediately after the press cycle ends, while the transfer is still warm. Cold peel works but adds tension; hot peel is faster and cleaner.
Will it stretch and hold up to washing?
Yes. Wash inside-out in cold water, tumble dry low — the transfer survives 50+ wash cycles without cracking. The white-ink underlayer adds a tiny amount of stiffness for the first wash, then softens permanently.
Can I get just the artwork digitized once for repeated reorders?
DTF doesn't need digitization the way embroidery does — your file goes straight to print. Reorders use the same file at no additional cost. Just say "reorder" in the quote form and reference the previous job.
Difference between DTF and traditional iron-on transfers?
Iron-on transfers (HTV) cut a vinyl color into a shape — limited to flat colors, no photographic detail, and the vinyl sits on top of the fabric. DTF prints full-color art with the white underlayer baked in, and the result feels like a printed garment, not a vinyl decal. DTF is the modern replacement for iron-on for anything beyond simple text or single-color logos.