Direct to Film Printing

Unlock the Future of Custom Clothing

DTF printing offers full colour photo quality images on your clothing

Are you looking to add high-quality, vibrant prints to your clothing without compromising on speed or cost? Then Direct to Film (DTF) printing is the right solution for you! This cutting-edge technology offers a cost-effective and versatile solution for custom garment printing. Whether you’re a small business looking to create unique designs or an established brand seeking high-quality products, DTF printing could be the answer to all your garment printing needs.

A4 Apparel's DTF printing service allows us to transfer vibrant, full-color designs onto almost any fabric or garment. From t-shirts to hoodies and even bags or hats, DTF ensures your designs stand out with crisp details and bold colors. So, why should you consider this method for your clothing line or custom apparel business? Let’s dive into the many advantages of DTF printing.

Detail of DTF printed t-shirt

Our most popular DTF printed clothing

Advantages of Direct to Film Printing

  • Full-Color Prints
    DTF printing makes it incredibly easy to produce stunning, full-color prints, even for intricate and detailed designs. With the ability to print millions of colors, you can achieve the exact shade and vibrancy you need for your artwork.
  • Works on Virtually Any Garment
    Unlike some traditional printing methods, DTF works well on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, and even non-textile items like bags and hats. Whether you’re printing on light or dark fabrics, DTF ensures bright, durable prints.
  • No Minimum Orders:
    You can print just one or several garments without having to worry about bulk requirements. This makes DTF perfect for small runs, one-off custom designs, or sample orders before scaling up your production.
  • Durable, Long-Lasting Prints:
    DTF prints are incredibly durable and resistant to washing, cracking, or fading over time. This ensures that your custom clothing retains its high-quality appearance, even after repeated washes.
  • Eco-Friendly Process:
    With fewer steps involved in the printing process and minimal waste, DTF printing is a more sustainable option compared to other methods, such as screen printing. It’s a great choice for businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility.
  • Quick Turnaround
    Unlike some traditional methods that require multiple complicated setups, DTF printing offers a faster and more efficient workflow, leading to quicker delivery times. Whether you need a few shirts or a larger order, DTF printing speeds up production.

The DTF Printing Process: From Artwork to Finished Product

Now that you know why DTF printing is the perfect solution for your custom clothing, let’s break down the process into four simple stages:

  • Preparing the artwork for printing

    Preparing the artwork

    The first step in the DTF printing process is creating or finalizing your design. This artwork should be of a high-resolution to ensure the best quality print.

  • printing the design

    Printing the design

    The next step is printing it onto a special transfer film using high-quality colour and white inks. The design is printed in reverse (mirror image) so that it will appear correctly when applied to the garment.

  • Adding glue

    Adding the glue

    After printing, a layer of adhesive glue is applied to the back of the print while the ink is still wet. This glue helps bond the ink to the fabric during the heat press process, ensuring the vibrant print sticks.

  • The finished DTF printed t-shirt

    Heat pressing the garment

    Once the film is printed and the glue is applied, the garment is ready to receive the print. The film with the design is placed onto the garment, and a heat press machine is used to transfer the design onto the fabric.

Wash & Care Guide

Follow these simple steps to ensure the longevity of your digitally printed garments.

  • Always wash garments inside out with cold water prior to wearing. Subsequent washes at 30°C. Use liquid detergent. Do not use a fabric softener.

  • Do not tumble dry - dry your garment outdoors or on a clothes rack.

  • Iron inside out - turn your garment inside out & iron on a low heat.

  • Always store garments out of direct sunlight.

Browse our previous DTF jobs

Contact us on 01271 816158 or get a quick DTF printing quote

Get a Direct to Film (DTF) printing quote

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