Dtf Ordering

DIRECT-TO-FILM FEATURES, FILE SETUPS, AND MORE

DTF Artwork Settings:
For best results and to avoid artwork charges, artwork should come in the following format:

PNG files are preferred.  Other acceptable options are PDF, jpg (but only for photos since .jpg file have white backgrounds), and .eps files.
Color Mode set to RGB or CMYK.  Do not use Pantone/PMS/Spot colors.
A transparent background is required.  Anything that appears in your image on screen (including white backgrounds) will print.
300 dpi image sized to be the actual print size you want on the shirt.
If using Photoshop, trim away the excess background (Image>Trim).  Your design should fill up the canvas. (Don’t send a 3″ x 3″ image on a 12″ x 10″ art board).
Items downloaded from the internet (unless purchased from artwork sites) are generally only 72 dpi-low resolution files, and in most cases, illegal to reproduce. If you don’t have professional graphic design software, you can use our online designer, or have us create something for you.
NOTICE: Any files that come in another format will need to be converted to PNG format.  If not designed correctly, this could change the color profiles and will result in artwork charges. 

DTF Transfer Paper Size:
Our DTF system is a roll-to-roll system.  The roll of film is 24″ wide, which gives us a print area up to 22″ wide.  Since most people have heat presses no larger than 16″ x 20″, we wouldn’t recommend a print larger than 14″ x 18″.  If you are buying just the transfers from us, make sure your sizing works with your heat press.

Print Locations:
DTF transfers should be applied with a high-quality, commercial heat press.  This offers flexibility with print locations on different types of garments.  As long as you can load your material onto a heat press and get the area to be printed flat and the fabric can withstand high heat, you should be able to decorate that garment.

Printable Fabrics:
Cotton, silk, polyester, denim, nylon, leather, 50/50 blends, 60/40 blends, triblends, and more. It works equally well on white and dark textiles.  Fabrics should not be chemically treated.  DTF transfers are not recommended for use on sublimated polyester.  In most cases, the design in the shirt will bleed into the ink in the transfer so we recommend a lower heat 130 at 10 secs.

Print Settings:
Direct to film printing offers many settings to choose from.  We use a high quality setting to get the best detail, ink coverage, and color accuracy.

DTF Transfer Application Process:
The ink manufacturer recommends applying transfers using a commercial heat press.  For best results, do not use an iron or cheap heat press. The temperature should be set to 325 degrees.  Prepress the garment for 5 seconds to remove any moisture.  Position the transfers, cover with a piece of craft or parchment paper, and press for 15 seconds with firm pressure.  Allow the transfer to cool completely, then peel off the film.  Press again for 5 seconds without a cover sheet.  Please test on your equipment prior to running production.  We are not responsible in any way for transfers we do not apply ourselves.

Other Information about Direct to Film Transfers
Recommended Graphics Software for DTF
When creating artwork for any print method, we recommend vector-based software (like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator) for graphics/logos, and raster-based software (like Photoshop) for photographs and photo-quality designs.  Vector-based software will allow you to make your logo any size you want it initially and scale it to any size (from decorating a pen to printing a billboard) without losing image quality later.

On the contrary, the larger you blow up raster-based images from their originally created size, the worse they will look.  You can always save vector-based artwork in raster formats (when needed) down the road.  Raster-based software needs to be recreated in vector-format when vector files are required.  This normally incurs art charges.

Please note: Many of the free graphic software programs have limitations on color and file format exports.  Just because something looks great on your phone, doesn’t mean will look great when printed on a shirt.

Garment Fabrics
DTF transfers are designed to work with many fabrics.  These include non-treated cotton, silk, polyester, denim, nylon, leather, 50/50 blends, and more. It works equally well on white and dark textiles.

Image Size
When creating DTF print files, artwork should be made and sent to us at the size you want it printed, and on a transparent background.  Be careful not confuse image size with canvas size.  Image size is the size of the actual design.  Canvas size is your work area.  Confused?  First, take a regular sheet of 8.5” x 11” paper.  That is your canvas.  Then, draw a picture in the middle of the paper.  That is your image size.  How big is your image?  That answer depends on what you drew, but should be significantly smaller than 8.5” x 11”.  If you drew a 3” logo, that is what size you should expect it to be printed at.  If you want a front chest design, your design should fill the entire piece of paper (or possibly larger).  This article explains the difference a bit more.

Color Modes
DTF transfers use a CYMK+White inkset.  Files can be made in RGB or CMYK mode.  PMS/Pantone color matching is not available.  Regardless of what printer you design files for, do not mix CMYK and RGB color modes, or use Spot/Pantone/PMS colors in the same file!  Under no circumstances will we offer refunds or reprints if you are not happy with the end result and you do not follow our file setup guidelines!  If you are not a designer, it is suggested you either hire a designer or use our online designer to create artwork.

Garment Care for all Direct to Film Printing
Once you have your garment, proper care is necessary to achieve a normal garment and print life.  Most importantly, wait 24 hours after printing before washing a shirt. All shirts should be washed before wearing and before exposing to UV light (sunlight).

For all garments, we recommend cold-water washing inside out and hang drying. You may tumble dry on fluff (no heat). Never iron over the decoration. Our DTF transfers are designed to last over 40 washes, if properly cared for.  Following these steps will help you achieve the maximum amount of life for your garment. Just remember, no garment or print is designed to last forever!