DTF printing
DTF Printing for Detailed, Full-Color Custom Apparel
Direct-to-film printing puts full color artwork on a garment without the setup a screen print requires. It is the practical answer for a small order, for artwork with photographic detail, and for the single piece that has to be right on its own.
Free delivery to businesses in central North Carolina and Southern Virginia. We ship anywhere in the country.
Why DTF
Full-Color Custom Printing Without a Large Order
No screens to burn means no reason to order more than you need. A handful of shirts is a perfectly reasonable order here.
What DTF is for
DTF Printed Shirts, Names, Numbers & One-Off Pieces
DTF prints your artwork onto a film, which is then pressed into the garment with heat. Because nothing is set up per color, a design with a photograph, a gradient, or twenty shades costs no more to print than a simple one, and a short run does not carry the penalty it would in screen printing.
That makes it the natural choice for reunions, birthdays, a small staff, a prototype before a larger run, and the replacement piece that arrives after the team order is already done. It also handles fabrics that are awkward to print conventionally, including performance blends.
When we would suggest another method
If you are ordering a large quantity of one simple design, screen printing will feel softer and cost less per piece. If you are decorating polos, caps, jackets, or other structured company apparel, we may recommend embroidery for its dimensional, professional finish. We will say which one suits the job rather than taking the easier order.
- No minimum to get started — one piece is a real order, not a favor
- Full color at no extra setup — photographs, gradients, and fine detail print as drawn
- Built for the single piece — a replacement jersey, a late roster addition, one personalized gift
- Works on most fabrics — cotton, blends, and performance materials
- Quick to reprint — a replacement piece does not restart a production run
How it works
How DTF Printing Works
Artwork prepared
Your file is color corrected and sized for the garment. Full color is fine, and clean edges are what matter most.
Printed to film
The design is printed in full color and backed with adhesive, ready to be pressed into the fabric.
Your proof
You approve the artwork on your garment color before anything is pressed.
Pressed and finished
Each piece is pressed with heat, checked, and delivered free to area businesses or shipped to your door.
Common questions
DTF Printing Questions
How is DTF different from screen printing?
Screen printing pushes ink through a separate screen for each color, which is why it rewards quantity. DTF prints the entire design at once, which is why it suits small orders and complex artwork.
Will it peel or crack in the wash?
Pressed correctly, the print flexes with the fabric and washes well. Turning garments inside out and skipping high heat in the dryer extends the life of any decoration, print or stitch.
Can I order just one shirt?
Yes. That is precisely what this method is good at.
Should I use DTF for a whole team's names and numbers?
No. A full team set is screen printed with the rest of the design. DTF is the right tool for the one piece that comes after — a replacement, a late addition, or a single personalized gift.
Can DTF go on a cap or a jacket?
Sometimes, depending on the seams and the fabric. Caps and structured outerwear are usually better embroidered, and we will tell you which we would recommend for your piece.