NW Custom Apparel produces Direct to Film (DTF) printing in-house at our Milton, WA facility. No minimum order. Standard turnaround 5–7 business days. 24–48 hour production available on request.
Fabric-compatible with cotton, polyester, nylon, canvas, blends, and performance fabrics — anything screen printing or DTG cannot reliably handle.
Direct to Film printing is a heat transfer process. A design is printed onto a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film using a CMYK+W ink system – cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and white. The white ink creates an opaque base layer that allows full-color reproduction on any fabric color, including black and navy, without a separate pretreatment step.
A TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink on the film, then cured in a heat oven. The finished film is placed face-down on the garment and pressed at approximately 160–165°C (320–330°F) for 12–15 seconds. The film peels away (hot or cold peel depending on film type) leaving the design permanently bonded to the fabric.
The TPU adhesive is what makes DTF different from every other printing method. It bonds to fabric mechanically through heat and pressure rather than chemically reacting with the fiber. That is why DTF works on cotton, polyester, nylon, spandex, denim, canvas, and blends — all in the same production run with no fabric-specific pretreatment.
DTF is the right choice when:
DTF is not the right choice when:
We produce all three methods in-house. We will tell you which one fits your order when you request a quote.
Understanding the process explains why DTF produces results that other methods cannot match on certain fabrics and design types.
Your design file is processed through RIP (Raster Image Processor) software, which converts it into the printer-readable format and separates the CMYK and white ink layers for accurate color placement.
The design prints onto PET film, print-side up. The white ink layer prints first as a base, then the color layers print on top. The result is a full-color design on film with an opaque white underbase ready to face any fabric color.
While the ink is still wet, TPU adhesive powder is distributed across the entire printed surface using a powder shaker. The powder adheres only to the wet ink areas. Excess powder shakes off the blank film areas.
The powdered film passes through a curing oven at 160–170°C for 2–3 minutes. The TPU powder melts and fuses with the ink layer, forming a flexible, elastic transfer ready for application. You can tell the cure is complete when the powder changes from grainy to a smooth, glossy appearance.
The cured film is placed design-side down onto the garment. The heat press applies 160–165°C with medium to firm pressure for 12–15 seconds. The TPU adhesive melts again and bonds permanently to the fabric fibers.
The film is peeled away, immediately while warm (hot peel, glossier finish) or after cooling (cold peel, matte finish) depending on the film specification. The design stays on the garment.
This entire process requires no garment pretreatment, which is why production is faster than DTG on dark garments and why DTF works on fabric types that DTG and screen printing cannot handle consistently.
DTF’s fabric-agnostic capability is its primary technical advantage over every other printing method. Here is how each fabric type behaves in production:
Call: 253-922-5793 | 1-800-851-3671
NW Custom Apparel’s heat transfer printing services cater to various customers, ensuring everyone gets exactly what they need.
This is the buyer segment where DTF outperforms every other method. Construction crews wear polyester and poly-blend performance shirts on job sites. They wear nylon and polyester Hi-Vis safety vests. Screen printing requires low-bleed plastisol for polyester. DTG produces poor results above 50% polyester. Embroidery on lightweight performance fabric causes puckering.
DTF handles all of these garments in one production method. NW Custom Apparel’s construction customers typically order 2–3 color company logos and phone numbers printed on the back or chest of polyester work shirts and safety vests. The designs go from file to finished garment without fabric restrictions or extra production steps.
Branded T-shirts and hoodies for staff events, trade shows, promotional giveaways, and client gifts. DTF handles full-color multicolor artwork without per-color setup costs. For companies ordering 50–500 pieces with complex logos or branded artwork, DTF produces consistent color across the entire run.
For ongoing per-employee apparel needs, our custom webstore programs handle individual employee ordering and fulfillment without your team managing inventory.
No minimum means you can test a new design on 10 shirts before committing to a 100-piece run. You are not paying screen printing setup fees on a product that has not been market-tested. Full-color, photorealistic, and gradient designs all print in one pass. Ordered as gang sheets, multiple designs fit on a single film sheet, which reduces cost per print significantly.
Athletic jerseys in polyester — the standard fabric for team sports — work with DTF when sublimation is not being used and screen printing setup costs are too high for the quantity needed. Spirit wear hoodies in cotton-poly blends work without fabric restrictions. DTF handles the full range of garments a typical school or sports organization orders.
One custom shirt for a birthday. A tribute garment for a memorial. A single sample before a full production run. No minimum removes the barrier. The process works the same at quantity one as it does at quantity 500.
Understanding which method fits your specific order prevents the most common custom apparel mistake: choosing the wrong production method and getting results that do not meet expectations.
| Factor | DTF | Screen Printing | DTG | Embroidery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric types | All — cotton, poly, nylon, blends | Cotton best; polyester needs specialty ink | Cotton best; poor on synthetics | Most fabrics with correct backing |
| Color count cost | No impact — all colors same price | Each color adds screen setup cost | No impact | No impact up to 15 thread colors |
| Minimum order | None | 24 pieces (at NW Custom Apparel) | None | 6 pieces (at NW Custom Apparel) |
| Photorealistic designs | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Dark garments | Yes — white underbase built in | Yes — underbase required | Yes — pretreatment required | N/A |
| Hand feel | Slight surface texture; flexible | Medium to heavy depending on ink | Soft, soaks into fabric | Raised, dimensional |
| Wash durability | 50+ washes home laundering | 50+ washes home laundering | 30–50 washes home laundering | 100+ washes; outlasts garment |
| Commercial laundering | Moderate; high heat degrades faster | Moderate | Lower | Excellent |
| Best bulk price | Moderate | Lowest at 100+ pieces | Moderate | Lowest for multicolor logos |
For a full breakdown of when each method makes sense, see our comparison of DTG, DTF, and screen printing.
Getting your file right before production avoids delays and ensures the best print output.
Preferred formats: PNG with transparent background (300 DPI minimum), AI, EPS, PDF. JPEG accepted but transparent background not available in JPEG; white background areas will print as white on the garment.
Color mode: RGB for digital files.
Resolution: 300 DPI minimum at the intended print size. Lower resolution produces visible pixelation in the final output.
Transparent background: Required for any design where you do not want a white rectangle around the printed area on the garment.
White elements in design: If your design has intentional white elements, those must be included in the file. DTF prints white ink – it is not inferred from the film background.
If your artwork is not print-ready: Our artwork and design services team reviews every file before production and flags issues. Standard file cleanup, color mode conversion, and background removal are handled as part of order preparation.
Properly cared-for DTF prints last 50+ washes without fading, cracking, or peeling.
The TPU adhesive layer is more sensitive to repeated high-heat commercial laundering than embroidery thread or screen-printed plastisol. For garments going through commercial laundry services (uniform rental, healthcare linen services), advise the laundering facility to use low-heat settings on the dryer cycle.
Hear from our satisfied clients who have made us their go-to provider for custom DTF transfer Printing and have seen the difference quality makes.
From Logo to Delivery in Just 7 Days – Here’s How It Works
Submit your garment type, quantity, color, and design description through our order form or call 253-922-5793. We respond within one business day.
Send your file (PNG at 300 DPI, AI, EPS, or PDF). Our design team reviews it, notes any issues, and produces a digital mockup showing your design on the actual garment.
Review the digital proof. Request changes if needed. Once you approve, production begins. For first orders, we also produce a physical sample for your review on request.
48-hour production on open slots. Standard 7-day turnaround otherwise. Shipped direct to your Washington state address or available for local pickup in Milton.
Direct to Film printing is a garment decoration method that prints a full-color design onto PET film using water-based CMYK+W inks, applies a TPU adhesive powder to the wet ink, cures the powder, and heat-presses the transfer onto the garment. The design bonds permanently to the fabric. No pretreatment of the garment is required, and the method works on virtually any fabric type.
DTF works on cotton, polyester, nylon, canvas, denim, spandex, and all blends. There is no fabric content requirement. This is the primary advantage over DTG (cotton-optimized) and dye sublimation (polyester-only). For orders that mix cotton T-shirts with polyester performance shirts in the same run, DTF handles all garments without changing the production process.
There is no minimum order. NW Custom Apparel produces single transfers for one-off orders and full production runs for hundreds of garments.
Standard turnaround is 5–7 business days from artwork approval. A 24–48 hour production option is available when production slots allow, call 253-922-5793 to confirm availability before placing a time-sensitive order.
DTF printing offers higher detail and color vibrancy compared to vinyl heat transfer. Additionally, DTF prints are more flexible and durable, which helps them withstand multiple washes without cracking or peeling.
Yes. The CMYK+W ink system in DTF includes white ink that is printed as an opaque underbase layer. Colors print on top of the white base, which ensures bright, accurate color on black, navy, and all dark garments. No pretreatment of the garment is needed before DTF production.
With proper care (cold wash, inside-out, low heat drying), DTF prints last through 50+ washes without significant fading, cracking, or peeling. Commercial laundering at high heat degrades the TPU adhesive layer faster than home washing. For garments going through commercial laundry services, communicate low-heat drying requirements to the laundering facility.
DTF prints onto film and transfers to the garment via heat press; DTG prints directly onto the garment using inkjet technology. DTF works on any fabric without pretreatment; DTG works best on cotton and requires pretreatment on dark garments. DTF is faster for dark garment production. DTG produces a slightly softer hand feel on light-colored 100% cotton. For cotton-only orders under 24 pieces, DTG printing is often the better choice. For mixed fabrics or polyester orders, DTF is the correct method.
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil; one screen per color required. DTF prints all colors in a single pass with no per-color setup cost. Screen printing costs less per piece at bulk quantities above 100 pieces with simple designs. DTF is more cost-effective for small runs, multicolor designs, and non-cotton fabrics. For a full comparison, see our bulk screen printed T-shirts page and the DTG, DTF, and screen printing comparison.
Yes. DTF production uses gang sheets – multiple designs printed on a single film sheet. This maximizes material efficiency and reduces cost per print on orders with multiple design variations in the same size range.
Yes. Our artwork and design services team assists with file preparation, cleanup, color adjustment, and layout. A digital proof is produced and sent for your approval before any production run begins.
DTF applies to the background fabric panels of Hi-Vis safety vests without contacting the retroreflective tape strips. NW Custom Apparel’s construction customers regularly order DTF-printed company logos on polyester and nylon safety vests. For Hi-Vis garments where the print placement overlaps with retroreflective tape, see our Hi-Vis safety stripe screen printing.
NW Custom Apparel distinguishes itself with high-quality prints, state-of-the-art equipment, eco-friendly practices, and exceptional customer service. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that you receive the best possible product and experience.
NW Custom Apparel ships all DTF orders to any Washington state location and nationwide. Local pickup is available at our Milton showroom (call ahead; showroom hours 10:00 AM–3:00 PM).
Tell us your garment type, fabric content, quantity, and whether your artwork is ready. We respond within one business day with pricing, turnaround options, and production recommendations.
Call: 253-922-5793 | 1-800-851-3671
Email: sales@nwcustomapparel.com
Address: 2025 Freeman Rd E, Milton, WA 98354
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Showroom Hours: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Sat–Sun: Closed
Nationwide shipping available. Local pickup at Milton showroom (call ahead to schedule).
