Direct to Film

Best for printing on stretchy material like active wear and tight fitting tees.

What is Direct to Film (DTF) printing? 

We specialise in Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing, a modern and versatile decoration method that delivers vibrant, long-lasting prints on almost any fabric. Using advanced technology, designs are printed onto a specialised PET film with high-performance inks, coated with adhesive powder, and heat-cured to create durable, flexible, and wash-resistant transfers. DTF printing works beautifully on cotton, polyester, blends, and even leather, making it ideal for custom t-shirts, uniforms, workwear, sportswear, and promotional apparel. The process produces rich colours, fine detail, and a soft finish that won’t crack, peel, or fade. All orders placed through the front end of our website are printed using DTF by default. This ensures that every customer can access fast, reliable, professional-quality prints with no minimum order quantity, whether for one-off pieces or bulk runs.

Direct to film process

Step 1 - Design Preparation

We prepare the artwork for printing by adding a white channel and mirroring the design to ensure it transfers correctly onto the fabric. This step ensures that the print maintains its color integrity and precision when applied to the material.

Step 2 - Print 

The design is printed onto a special transfer film using a high-quality DTF printer. Our printer uses vibrant, durable water-based inks to ensure accurate and vibrant colors. 

Step 3 - Adhesive Powder

The film moves down into the powder unit, where the powder coats the wet ink. Excess powder is shaken off as the film moves up into the over to cure. The powder in the DTF printing process is crucial because it acts as an adhesive that ensures the printed design bonds securely to the fabric

Step 4 - Pressing

Once the adhesive is set, the transfer film is carefully cut around the design for precise application. The cut film is then placed on the fabric, and a heat press is used to apply the design. The combination of high heat and pressure activates the adhesive, ensuring the design bonds securely to the fabric, creating a smooth, durable, and long-lasting print.

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Direct to film examples

Direct to film tips and tricks

Correct file types for direct to film:

Image

.jpg

Image

.png

Image

.gif

Image

.tiff

How to save a specific file type:

Photoshop & Paint

FILE > SAVE AS > PNG

Illustrator & Draw

FILE > EXPORT > PNG

Perks of direct to film  ✔️

  • Large range of fabrics that can be printed on
  • Vibrant, detailed prints
  • Great durability
  • No minimum order requirements

Downers of direct to film  ❌

  • Heavier print feel
  • DTF printing can struggle with transparency and smooth gradients due to the solid white ink underbase, limited gradient control, and adhesive powder residue, which can affect delicate or see-through parts of the design. 
  • Finished product is only as good as the design

More questions? Call 07 3846 1008

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