DTF (direct-to-film) prints your artwork onto a film in full colour, then heat-presses it onto the garment. It reproduces gradients, photographs and fine detail without the per-colour setup of screen printing, and it works on cotton, polyester and blends.
Last updated 19 September 2026
For artwork with many colours, gradients or photographic detail, and for designs where screen printing would need too many screens to make sense. It is also a good fit for smaller runs of a full-colour design.
Screen printing is more economical for bold, limited-colour designs at volume, and has the softest feel with water-based inks. DTF wins on colour count and detail. The comparison chart sets them side by side.
Cotton, polyester and blends, including dark garments. The quote confirms the right approach for your specific garment.
Send the product, rough quantity and your logo or idea using the form at the top of the page. A real person replies, usually within hours on working days.
You get a digital mockup and an itemised quote. Minimum order: 50 pieces per design, sizes mixed freely.
£150 for one or two samples, worldwide shipping included. Place a bulk order afterwards and the £150 comes off your invoice.
Production takes 10–15 working days from artwork approval, before freight. Tracked freight worldwide, with landed cost confirmed in your quote.
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DTG prints directly onto the garment; DTF prints onto film then heat-transfers. Both can produce full-colour photographic designs — but the right choice depends on your fabric, run size, and feel requirements.
HTV vinyl and DTF both use heat presses to apply designs to garments, but they come from very different production processes. Here's how to tell them apart and pick the right one.
DTF, screen print or embroidery? Each has a job it does best. Here is the honest comparison — by cost, durability, detail and minimum order — so you choose right.
50 pieces per design, with sizes mixed freely.
Yes, when applied correctly and cared for as the label says. Wash inside out and avoid ironing directly on the print.
Yes. Photographic and gradient artwork is where DTF is strongest.
Sublimation is for polyester and gives an all-over print with no feel on the fabric; DTF works on cotton and blends too.
