Is there anything I should know about DTF and what it can and can't do?

DTF (Direct to Film) is a fantastic option for bringing vibrant, full-color designs to life! It handles intricate details and bold colors like a pro, and it works on a variety…

Updated October 17, 2024

DTF (Direct to Film) is a fantastic option for bringing vibrant, full-color designs to life! It handles intricate details and bold colors like a pro, and it works on a variety of fabrics, from cotton to polyester and blends.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • DTF is limited to the CMYK color space, so neon or metallic colors won’t translate well.  Print colors will be similar to what you can get on a normal home color printer
  • While it’s great for complex designs with lots of colors, very thin details or fine lines and text that aren’t surrounded by other printing might not adhere at all and won't hold up as well during wearing or washing.  This can often be overcome by printing a background color matched outline where needed. 
  • Specialty inks like puff, glow, or metallics are not an option for DTF, but there are other patch and transfer solutions available if you need these types of effects.

Still have a question?

Tell us what you are working through. We will point you in the right direction.
Ask the team

New business inquiry

Tell us what you’re working on.

A few basics are enough to get the right person involved. We’ll ask for program details after we understand what you need.

We use this information to review and route your request. See ourPrivacy Notice.