DTFDirect to Film
DTF (Direct to Film) prints on transfer film before heat pressing onto fabric, 2-3x more durable than direct printingwith fade-resistant, crack-resistant results, works on all fabric typesincluding stretch and polyester, and endures thousands of washes. No minimum order, rush jobs in 2-3 days.
DTF printing starts on film
then heat-pressed onto fabric
DTF (Direct to Film) or DTF transfer printing is a technique where artwork is printed on a special film first, then coated with adhesive powder, cured, and finally heat-pressed onto the garment.
This method delivers vivid and durable colors compared to DTG and works on all fabric typesincluding cotton, polyester, and stretch fabrics, making it ideal for sportswear and uniforms. No minimum order, even 1 piece.
The coreof precision
Epson PrecisionCore i3200 Printhead
We use premium printhead technology to deliver maximum print quality. The Epson i3200 controls ink droplets with high precision, producing sharp details, vivid colors, and consistent results on every piece.
- High resolution, pixel-sharp detail
- Faster printing performance
- Smooth and natural color gradients
Pros & Considerations
Why is DTF so popular?
Pros
- Highly durable
Withstands many washes without peeling, more durable than DTG
- Works on all fabric types
Cotton, polyester, stretch fabric, and sportswear
- Vivid colors
Brighter and sharper than DTG, especially on dark fabric
- Flexible
Stretches with the garment, ideal for sportswear
- No minimum
Order starts from 1 piece
- Great value
Affordable, durable, and suitable for most jobs
Things to know
- Slight hand-feel
There is a thin film layer, but it is minimal
- Requires proper pressing
Incorrect pressing can reduce adhesion (our team handles this professionally)
- Slightly lower detail than DTG
In most real use cases, the difference is hardly noticeable
What is this technique suitable for?
Sportswear
Ideal for stretch fabric and Dri-FIT sportswear because it flexes with the material
Staff uniforms
Durable and wash-friendly for daily use
Online merchandise
Cost-effective, durable, and no minimum order for ecommerce sales
Team and event shirts
Good pricing and durability for corporate and event projects
Dark fabric
Strong color output on dark garments without pre-treatment
Kids clothing
Flexible, safe, and durable for frequent washing
Production workflow for DTF
The process that makes DTF prints highly durable and color-rich
01Print to Film
Your artwork is printed onto a special transfer film using the high-resolution Epson i3200 printhead. A white base layer is printed first, followed by CMYK inks for vibrant and crisp output.
02Apply Adhesive Powder
After printing, a special adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink. This powder ensures strong bonding to fabric and improves wash and wear durability.
03Cure the Film
The printed and powdered film is heat-cured so the adhesive melts and bonds with the ink, creating a strong transfer layer ready for pressing.
04Heat Transfer
The prepared film is placed on the shirt and pressed with a heat press at the right temperature and timing. After peeling the film, the result is a clean and durable print.
Price for DTF printing
Transparent and competitive pricing with production-standard quality (shirt cost not included)
DTF Printing Price Table
Transparent and competitive pricing with production-standard quality (shirt cost not included)
| Size | First print position | Additional position | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pc | 10 pcs | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | Per position | |
LOGO 2x2 (collar) | 30 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
A7 3x4 | 80 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 |
A6 4x6 | 90 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 30 |
A5 5x8 | 110 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 35 |
A4 8x12 | 130 | 90 | 80 | 70 | 45 |
A3 12x16 | 150 | 100 | 90 | 80 | 75 |
A2 16x21 | 200 | 150 | 140 | 130 | 95 |
A1 21x28 | 250 | 200 | 190 | 180 | 145 |
Calculation example
Example: 10 shirts, A7 front + A3 back print
Print cost = 100฿ (A3 first position for 10 pcs) + 25฿ (A7 additional position) = 125 THB
💡 Note: The first position is always the largest one (A3 back in this example)
**Shirt cost not included**
💡 Note: For large-volume or special-standard jobs,contact us for special pricing
Need consultation or special pricing?
Contact us for consultation and a quotation tailored to your project
Request special pricingDTF Case Studies
Real stories from customers who chose DTF for durability
Fitness apparel brand
needed high durability
Challenge: They produced stretch Dry-Fit workout shirts that customers washed frequently. DTG was not durable enough, and silk screen was not suitable for stretch fabric.
Solution: They switched to DTF for better durability than DTG, strong adhesion on stretch fabric, flexible feel, and vivid color that lasts through thousands of washes.
Result: No complaints about print peeling, strong customer satisfaction, monthly repeat orders, and expanded product lines.
Corporate uniforms
polyester fabric
Challenge: They needed logo printing on polyester fabric. DTG looked faded, and silk screen was limited because polyester does not absorb ink well.
Solution: DTF worked well on polyester, delivered stronger color hold, resisted fading, and handled frequent washing for uniform use.
Result: After 6 months across 200 employees, logos still looked sharp. The company reordered for new staff.
DTF Portfolio Samples
Real output from our production team: durable, flexible, and suitable for all fabrics
What customers say about us
Feedback from real customers using our DTF service
"We produce polyester shirts and other techniques could not handle it. DTF worked great, color adhesion is excellent, and customers are very satisfied. We have already reordered 3 times."
"We ordered polyester staff uniforms. DTF is very durable. After 6 months of washing, nothing has peeled and colors still look great. Truly worth it."
"We made workout shirts on stretch fabric. DTF adheres very well, flexes with movement, does not crack, feels comfortable, and handles frequent washing."
"We made Dry-Fit football team shirts. They are washed every day and after 3 months they still look the same, no fading or cracking. Very durable and great value!"
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common customer questions
Yes. DTF is generally more durable than DTG because adhesive powder helps the print bond firmly to fabric. It can handle hundreds of washes without peeling, making it ideal for sportswear and uniforms.
Yes. DTF is one of the most versatile methods and works on most materials, including cotton, polyester, stretch fabrics, Dri-FIT sportswear, and even leather.
DTF has a light film feel, but it is not stiff or heavy. It flexes with the fabric, remains comfortable, and keeps normal breathability.
There is no minimum order. You can order just 1 piece, while larger quantities offer better pricing.
Typical lead time is 2-3 business days for small orders. Rush jobs can be done in 1 day with an extra fee.
DTF print durability
Highly durable ideal for frequent washing and heavy use
Service life
- 200-300+ washes while keeping vibrant color and strong adhesion
- 2-3x more durable than DTG thanks to special adhesive powder
- Great for sportswear and uniforms that are washed frequently
Long-lasting quality
- Fade resistant strong fabric adhesion from adhesive powder
- No peeling even with heavy use or frequent stretching
- High flexibility ideal for stretch and sports fabrics
Why is DTF durable?
DTF uses special adhesive powder that melts and bonds with fabric fibers under heat, creating stronger adhesion than DTG ink absorption alone. It is ideal for frequently washed garments such as sportswear, fitness apparel, school uniforms, and other long-life applications.
Easy care, long-lasting durability
DTF is easier to maintain than DTG and supports normal washing. Following these tips will extend durability even more.
Normal machine wash
DTF is highly durable and can be machine washed normally with less caution than DTG.
Standard water temperature
Wash with cold or warm water (up to 60°C). DTF handles heat better than DTG.
Avoid bleach
Even though DTF is durable, bleach can still damage color and should be avoided.
Wash inside-out (optional extra care)
Not required, but it helps extend print life.
Ironable (medium heat)
DTF tolerates heat well and can be ironed, but avoid excessive heat.
Tumble dry (low heat)
Tumble drying is possible, but use low-to-medium heat for best durability.
Summary: easy care, extra durable
DTF is a printing method that is easy to maintain and highly durable - you can wash normally without the level of caution DTG often needs. It is ideal for jobs that require frequent washing or heavy use
💪 Advantage: 2-3x more durable than DTG and significantly easier to maintain!
Other techniques
Compare with other methods to choose the best fit
What is your next step?
Ready to print now, or want to explore more first?
Ready to start production
with us yet?
Contact us today for a free consultation
and the best quote for your needs