About DTF Printing

Our main goal is to provide high-quality DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers that are ready for you to heat press, while maintaining affordability. We are here to support screen-printers, embroiderers, brand owners, branding and heat transfer vinyl companies as well textile and label manufacturers.

It has been our constant endeavour to focus on our customers’ needs and help them throughout the ordering process, as well as having in-depth knowledge of all our equipment, including the RIP software, that we use in-house, which has allowed us to develop a keen eye on quality.

We have perfected our DTF prints and can complete large or small orders with ease, within a 24-hour to 48-hour processing time to ensure that our clients are able to keep their production lines flowing.

We provide full-colour digital transfers that are durable, vibrant, and stretchable. Our prints are ready to press, no cutting or weeding necessary. Contact us now and give us a try.

What is DTF Printing?

DTF stands for Direct-to-Film. Direct to film printing is a unique printing technology using a DTF Digital Printer that involves printing designs onto coated PET films which can then be applied by a heat transfer process that can be applied on to cotton, silk, polyester, denim, synthetic fibres like rayon and/or lycra and many other types of fabric.

Direct to Film Printing with us

Step 1 – Print on Film

We use a specialised PET film as well as RIP SOFTWARE to feed your images through to our printers.

Step 2 – Powdering

This step is the application of hot-melt powder on the film that has the printed image on it. The powder is applied uniformly when the ink is wet and the excess powder is removed. We ensure that the powder is evenly spread all over the printed surface on the film.

Step 3 – Melting the powder

The film with the printed image and the applied powder now feeds through a Curing Oven and depending upon the powder, our curing is generally done for 2 to 3 minutes with the temperature around +/- 130 degrees Celsius.

Step 4 – Transfer

This is the heart of the DTF printing process. The PET film with the image and the melted powder is placed on the fabric in the heat press for a strong adhesion between the film and the fabric. This process is also called ‘curing’. The curing is done at a temperature range of 150 to 160 degrees Celsius for 10 seconds. The film/image is now firmly adhered to the fabric.

Hot Rub the print while it is still hot and then cold peel, then press another 5 seconds and wipe any excess glue around edges immediately with a dry cloth while it is still hot

Step 5 – Post-pressing

Highly recommended for best results and high-performance parameters like wash and rub fastness. In this step, the fabric with the transferred design is pressed in the heat press for around 5 to 8 seconds.

 

WE PRINT * YOU HEAT PRESS

  • Direct to Film Printing with us

    Not only are you tapping into our expertise in printing, DTF Printing will also allow you durability of the garments, an extremely fine high-quality print which will last. The colours will be vibrant, there will be no cracking with no setup costs.

How to Prepare Print Files

ART WORK REQUIREMENTS Please read and follow all instructions below before ordering.

File Formatting

  • DO NOT FLIP OR MIRROR IMAGE YOUR ARTWORK
  • Acceptable file types: pdf, png
  • Send your artwork at 300 – 900 dpi
  • Send your artwork at the exact size you want it printed. Please indicate the final image dimensions in writing. *We cannot resize your image
  • Save your artwork as a RBG file. If you send an CMYK file it will be converted to RGB.
  • Spot colour artwork will be converted to RGB.
  • Remove the background. If you do not want the background around your image to be printed, remove it, otherwise it will be printed.

Uploading File

Maximum width is 297mm should you setup your own sheet.

Download template here

You can upload order on our website when checking out or use WE TRANSFER (www.wetransfer.com) to send your files through to us if over 10MB. Email address: info@dtfonline.co.za.

Return Policy

We are unable to offer returns or exchanges as all items are printed as orders come in with your special artwork.

Colours

We are not responsible for colours. You must check your colours — we do not check colours for you. Most monitors show images in RGB, be sure your file is saved as RBG.  Please check your pantone colours as what you see on the screen is not necessarily what will print, as colours will be converted to RGB.

Small, Fine Print

Words less than 1mm will not come out well and will most likely not transfer onto the garment. Fine, tiny details will not adhere to the transfer. Be sure to add a stroke and make any fine details thicker for best results. We are not responsible for artwork that falls below the minimum requirements.

Transparency effects

Transparency, see through effects and drop shadows do not work for DTF. Please take off any shadow or gradient effects as it will not print as you see on the screen.

Resolution

Artwork needs to be created in 300 DPI for best print quality. Images with lower quality will not print well and may appear pixelated.

The printing process needs a high-quality image to have a clean and neat image. Check your edge quality and watch out for pixeled edges in your images and designs. 

  • WASH CARE INSTRUCTIONS

    Turn garments inside out when washing.

    Cold water wash and wash on a gentle setting.

    Do not tumble dry.

    Do not add bleach.

    We recommend air dryer and do not dry in direct sunlight to prevent fading.

    When ironing your garment make sure it is turned inside out.

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  • Custom Printed DTF Transfers are now available for delivery right to your door! Printed with YOUR or your clients logo or image – ready to press! We Print * You Heat Press.

    Our DTF Transfers work on both light coloured garments (white etc) or dark coloured garments (black etc). No setup costs or other costs involved. Buy more, save more with volume discounts.

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