DTF printing: every colour, any fabric, from one piece.
Direct-to-film prints reproduce photos, gradients and fine detail on cotton, polyester and blends, light or dark. No screens, no set-up, no minimum order.
- Minimum order
- No minimum order
- Best for
- Full-colour logos, photos and detailed artwork; small and mixed orders
- Colours
- Unlimited, including photos and gradients
- Materials
- Cotton, polyester, blends and fleece; light or dark
How DTF printing works.
- 1
Your design is printed onto a clear film in full colour, with a white layer behind it.
- 2
A fine adhesive powder is melted onto the print.
- 3
The film is heat-pressed onto the garment and peeled away, leaving the design bonded to the fabric.
Feel: A thin, soft, stretchy layer on the fabric.
Why choose DTF printing
- Any number of colours for the same price: photos and gradients included
- Bright on black and dark garments, thanks to the white layer
- Works on cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, caps and tote bags
- No minimum: one sample or a thousand pieces
- Soft and stretchy; flexes with the fabric
Good to know
- A very large solid block of colour feels slightly heavier than the fabric around it
- For edge-to-edge prints on polyester jerseys and flags, sublimation is the better choice
What we make with DTF printing.
DTF printing examples.
Photos of real orders, and sample designs (marked) where we don't have a photo yet.
DTF printing: common questions.
What is DTF printing?
DTF (direct-to-film) prints your design onto a special film with a white underbase, then heat-presses it onto the product. It reproduces full colour, gradients and fine detail, works on light and dark fabrics, and stays soft and stretchy.
Is there a minimum order for DTF printing?
No. DTF has no screens or set-up, so you can order a single piece, a sample, or mixed sizes and colours in one order.
Does DTF work on dark t-shirts and polyester?
Yes. A white layer is printed behind the colours, so designs stay bright on black and dark garments, and DTF bonds to cotton, polyester, blends and fleece.
How long does a DTF print last?
A good DTF print lasts many washes without cracking or peeling. Wash inside out on a gentle cycle, cold to warm, and don't iron directly on the print.
Read before you order.
21 July 2026 · 5 min read
DTF printing explained: how it works and how it compares
What direct-to-film printing is, what it does well, and how it compares with screen printing, sublimation, vinyl and DTG, so you can choose the right method.
30 June 2026 · 4 min read
How to prepare your artwork for DTF printing
File types, resolution, transparent backgrounds, colours and text: a checklist for sending artwork that prints crisp the first time, with sizes for every placement.
2 November 2026 · 6 min read
DTF vs sublimation vs screen printing vs embroidery: which to choose?
A plain-language comparison of DTF, sublimation, screen printing and embroidery: what each is best for, minimum orders, colours, fabrics and feel, and which suits t-shirts, polos, jerseys, caps, flags, banners and mugs.
Not sure it's the right method?
Tell us your design and quantity and we'll suggest the best one. Or compare them yourself:
Sublimation printing
All-over sports jerseys, polyester tees, fabric flags, cloth banners and mugs.
no minimum order
About sublimation printingScreen printing
Bulk orders of simple designs in one to four solid colours.
from 50 pieces per design
About screen printingEmbroidery
Logos on polos, shirts, caps, jackets and uniforms.
no minimum order
About embroideryGet a quote for DTF printing.
Send us your artwork, the product and the quantity, and we'll reply with a price and a free digital proof.