Instructions and file help

What DTF is

Direct to film (DTF) is a heat transfer method for cotton, polyester, and blends. Your design is printed on film, coated with a heat-activated adhesive powder, cured, and ready for you to press onto the garment. There is no weeding and no cutting.

It works on cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon, and blends. The print stays soft, flexible, and stretchy, resists cracking, peeling, and fading, and holds up through repeated washes. Dark fabrics do not need pretreatment.

Good for

• T-shirts and hoodies
• Team uniforms and jerseys
• Hats, bags, and accessories
• Workwear and company branding
• Event and promotional apparel
• Activewear

Why not screen printing?

One design goes on any fabric with no screens to set up, so there is no 48 piece minimum. Full color costs the same as one color.

How to press your transfer

1. Set your heat press to 315°F with high pressure.
2. Prepress the garment to drive out moisture.
3. Place the transfer, align it, and press for 15 seconds.
4. Let the garment cool completely.
5. Peel the film cold. Cold peel only.
6. Optional: repress for 5 seconds for extra durability.

File requirements

• Accepted formats: PNG, TIFF, EPS, or AI, up to 10 MB. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest result. Gang sheets take PNG files.
• Color mode: RGB or CMYK. Indexed and grayscale files are not accepted.
• Pantone colors are not supported. Convert them to CMYK or RGB first.
• Colors are matched to your file as closely as the printer allows. Exact color and density matching is not possible.
• You do not need a background. If your file has a white or black background, choose background removal when you order ($10 per design). Files with a background and no removal print the background.
• Your art is scaled to fit the size you pick. A 2.25 in image ordered at 2 x 2 in prints at 2 in.
• You confirm you own the rights to the art you upload.
• Orders have a $20 minimum. Ready in 2 to 5 business days after payment.

What UV DTF is

UV DTF stickers are printed with UV-curable ink and finished with a high-gloss varnish, which gives a raised, enamel-like look. They are waterproof, scratch-resistant, and resistant to moisture, chemicals, and abrasion.

They go on hard, non-porous surfaces such as glass, wood, metal, plastic, leather, and ceramics. No heat press and no special equipment. Peel and apply.

Good for

• Tumblers, cups, and mugs
• Phone cases and accessories
• Home and office decor
• Personalized gifts
• Event branding
• Product labels

How it compares

Heat transfer vinyl needs a press. Sublimation only works on polyester and coated items. UV DTF goes on glass, metal, wood, and other hard surfaces with no equipment.

How to apply

1. Start with a clean, dry, non-porous surface.
2. Peel and apply. No heat press is needed.

File requirements

• Accepted formats: PNG, TIFF, EPS, or AI, up to 10 MB. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest result. Gang sheets take PNG files.
• Color mode: RGB or CMYK. Indexed and grayscale files are not accepted.
• Pantone colors are not supported. Convert them to CMYK or RGB first.
• Colors are matched to your file as closely as the printer allows. Exact color and density matching is not possible.
• You do not need a background. If your file has a white or black background, choose background removal when you order ($10 per design). Files with a background and no removal print the background.
• Your art is scaled to fit the size you pick. A 2.25 in image ordered at 2 x 2 in prints at 2 in.
• You confirm you own the rights to the art you upload.
• Orders have a $20 minimum. Ready in 2 to 5 business days after payment.

What sublimation is

Your design is printed on transfer paper with sublimation ink. When you press it, heat turns the ink into a gas that the material absorbs, so the color becomes part of the item. The result is vivid, detailed, and does not fade or wash off.

Do not flip your art

Upload your design the way you want it to look. Do not mirror or flip it.

What it works on

• 100% polyester or high-polyester blends. The more cotton in the blend, the more the print fades.
• Specially coated items made for sublimation, such as mugs and panels.
• It does not work on cotton, silk, or leather.
• Use white or very light items. Sublimation ink cannot lighten the base color. A bright magenta on black fabric comes out as a black design with a reddish tint.

Good for

• Polyester apparel and activewear
• Bags
• Mugs and drinkware blanks
• Mouse pads and panels

How to press

1. Place the transfer face down on your item.
2. Press with a heat press.
3. Peel the paper away once the press time is done.

File requirements

• Accepted formats: PNG, TIFF, EPS, or AI, up to 10 MB. A PNG with a transparent background gives the cleanest result. Gang sheets take PNG files.
• Color mode: RGB or CMYK. Indexed and grayscale files are not accepted.
• Pantone colors are not supported. Convert them to CMYK or RGB first.
• Colors are matched to your file as closely as the printer allows. Exact color and density matching is not possible.
• You do not need a background. If your file has a white or black background, choose background removal when you order ($10 per design). Files with a background and no removal print the background.
• Your art is scaled to fit the size you pick. A 2.25 in image ordered at 2 x 2 in prints at 2 in.
• You confirm you own the rights to the art you upload.
• Orders have a $20 minimum. Ready in 2 to 5 business days after payment.