DTF Printing for Full-Color Custom Merch
Reply within 24 hours. Free written pricing once the details are confirmed.
Recent DTF work: a large cream tiger graphic across the back of navy zip hoodies for Whitney High School Club Chang'an, paired with personalized chest embroidery on every piece. See the case study
- Minimum order
- 12 pieces per design and color
- Blank or decorated.
- Timeline
- 2 to 2.5 weeks, through arrival
- After order confirmation and payment, finalized artwork, and all order details are received. Rush is 1 to 5 business days through arrival, with rush fees.
What we offer
- Full-color transfers with no color-count limit and no screen setup
- Opaque prints on black, navy, and other dark garments without a pretreatment step
- Printing on polyester, cotton, and blends, including performance fabrics
- Large back panels, chest prints, and sleeve placements
- Mixed decoration on one garment, such as an embroidered chest with a DTF back
- Small runs from the same 12-piece minimum as every other order
Who this is for
- Teams putting full-color artwork on dark or navy garments
- Clubs and schools running personalized pieces alongside one shared graphic
- Brands printing on polyester or blended fabrics that DTG cannot hold
- Creators with illustrated or photographic art and a small first run
What drives the quote
- Print size
- Transfer cost scales with the printed area, so a large back panel costs more than a left chest.
- Quantity
- Per-unit cost improves with volume; DTF stays workable on small runs because there is no screen setup.
- Number of locations
- Each placement is its own transfer and its own press pass.
- Garment type
- Fabric and color affect press settings; the exact blank is confirmed on your quote.
- Artwork readiness
- High-resolution files (300 DPI at print size, transparent background) go straight to production.
- Timeline
- Standard scheduling prices best; rush runs may carry a surcharge.
Frequently asked questions
What is DTF printing?
DTF stands for direct-to-film. blankup prints your artwork onto a transfer film, coats it with adhesive powder, cures it, then heat presses it onto the garment. There are no screens and no per-color setup, so a full-color design costs the same to set up as a one-color one.
When should I choose DTF over DTG or screen printing?
Choose DTF when the artwork is full-color and the garment is dark, polyester, or a blend. DTG is softer but wants cotton-rich fabric, and screen printing is the better economic choice for simple designs at higher quantities. blankup recommends the method on your written quote once we see the art, the garment, and the quantity.
Does DTF work on polyester and dark garments?
Yes. DTF is the most fabric-flexible method blankup runs: it holds color on cotton, polyester, and blends, and it stays opaque on black and other dark garments without the pretreatment step DTG needs.
What artwork do you need for DTF?
A high-resolution file, ideally 300 DPI at the printed size, with a transparent background. PNG works well. Vector art (AI, EPS, PDF) is welcome but not required, and photographic or gradient artwork prints as-is.
What does a DTF print feel like?
DTF sits on the surface of the fabric rather than soaking into it, so it has a slight hand you can feel, similar to a smooth screen print. Large solid areas are more noticeable than fine line work.
Can DTF go on the same garment as embroidery?
Yes. Mixing decoration is common: an embroidered chest logo with a large DTF graphic on the back is one of the most requested combinations. blankup produced exactly that for Whitney High School Club Chang'an.
