On This Page
- What Are DTF Transfers?
- Why Choose DTF.technology
- DTF Transfer Pricing
- How to Order Custom DTF Transfers
- How to Apply DTF Transfers (Step by Step)
- DTF vs Screen Printing vs Sublimation vs Vinyl
- What Can You Print DTF Transfers On?
- Our Quality Standards
- DTF Gang Sheets Explained
- Artwork Requirements
- Washing & Care Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are DTF Transfers?
DTF transfers – short for Direct to Film transfers – are full-colour, ready-to-press heat transfers that can be applied to almost any fabric using a heat press. The technology works by printing your design onto a special PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film using CMYK plus white ink, then coating the wet print with a fine TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) adhesive powder. After curing, the result is a flexible, stretchy transfer sheet that bonds permanently to fabric when heat and pressure are applied.
Unlike screen printing, DTF transfers require no screens, no setup fees, and no minimum quantities. Unlike sublimation, they work on dark fabrics and cotton – not just white polyester. Unlike heat transfer vinyl (HTV), there is no weeding and no colour limitations. DTF has rapidly become the preferred method for small clothing brands, print-on-demand businesses, market traders, school uniform providers, and anyone who needs professional-quality garment decoration without the overhead of traditional printing equipment.
The global shift towards DTF printing is driven by its unmatched versatility. A single DTF transfer can reproduce photographic images, fine text, gradients, and unlimited colours – all without the per-colour cost increases of screen printing. DTF printing has grown to become one of the fastest-adopted garment decoration technologies in the UK and Europe since its mainstream introduction around 2020-2021.
Custom DTF Transfers: Key Facts
Last updated: February 2026
Why Choose DTF.technology for Your Custom DTF Transfers
We have been supplying DTF printing products and custom DTF transfers in the UK since 2020 – before most of our competitors existed. We are not a reseller and we are not a middleman. We print your transfers in-house on professional-grade DTF equipment, using premium inks and EU-manufactured film that meets REACH compliance standards. Our pricing is transparent: what you see is what you pay. No hidden setup fees, no inflated “rush” charges.
Lowest Prices in the UK
Gang sheets from £1.50 (excl. VAT). We keep overhead low and pass the savings to you. No setup fees. No minimum order quantity.
EU-Made Non-Toxic Film
We print on European-manufactured PET film that’s REACH compliant and free from harmful chemicals. Safe for children’s clothing and workwear.
Hot Peel – No Waiting
Our transfers peel immediately after pressing. No waiting for the transfer to cool. Faster production for your business.
Fast UK Delivery
Next day delivery available. Free UK shipping on all orders over £100. We ship Monday to Friday and aim to dispatch same-day on orders placed before midday.
Vibrant, Accurate Colours
Premium CMYK + white ink produces vivid, colour-accurate results. We achieve approximately 95% colour accuracy across the CMYK gamut.
60+ Wash Durability
Our TPU adhesive powder bonds deeply into fabric fibres. The result: transfers that survive 60+ washes at 40°C without cracking, peeling, or fading.
Money Back Guarantee
Not happy with your transfers? We offer a no-hassle refund. We stand behind every sheet we print.
Free Gang Sheet Builder
Use our online gang sheet generator to arrange your designs, detect quality issues, and maximise your printable area – completely free.
Free Samples Available
Not sure about quality? Request free DTF transfer samples and test them on your own garments before committing to a full order.
DTF Transfer Pricing
Our custom DTF transfer pricing is simple and transparent. Choose your sheet size, upload your artwork, and pay per sheet. No setup fees. No per-colour surcharges. No minimum quantities. All prices exclude VAT.
Free shipping on orders over £100. All orders are eligible for next day Royal Mail or courier delivery. No minimum order – you can order a single A4 sheet if that’s all you need.
How Our DTF Transfer Prices Compare
We checked the published pricing of the main UK DTF transfer suppliers. Here’s how we compare for a standard A3 custom DTF transfer (prices excl. VAT, as of February 2026):
| Feature | DTF.technology | Typical UK Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| A3 Gang Sheet | £3.00 | £3.50 – £6.00 |
| Setup / Design Fee | £0 | £0 – £10 |
| Minimum Order | None | Often 1 metre minimum |
| Free Shipping Threshold | £100 | £50 – £150 |
| Peel Type | Hot Peel | Varies (hot/warm/cold) |
| Film Origin | EU-made, non-toxic | Often unspecified |
| Free Gang Sheet Builder | Yes | Some offer, many don’t |
| Free Samples | Yes | Some offer |
| Money Back Guarantee | Yes | Varies |
Prices gathered from publicly available listings as of February 2026. Competitor pricing varies and may have changed.
How to Order Custom DTF Transfers
Ordering custom DTF transfers from us is straightforward. You don’t need design skills – just a print-ready PNG file with a transparent background. Here’s the process:
Build or Upload Your Gang Sheet
Use our free gang sheet builder tool to arrange multiple designs onto a single sheet and maximise your value. Or build your own gang sheet in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva and upload it. The tool will flag low-resolution images and semi-transparent areas before you order.
Upload Your Artwork
Click the upload button on the product page and submit your gang sheet as a PNG with transparent background at 300 DPI minimum. We accept files via our secure Dropbox upload link.
Choose Your Size and Quantity
Select A4, A3, or 31cm × 1m roll. Add the number of sheets you need to your basket. Add any special instructions in the notes field if needed.
Checkout and Pay
Complete your order through our secure checkout. We accept all major credit and debit cards. Orders placed before midday are typically dispatched the same day.
Receive, Press, and Sell
Your DTF transfers arrive ready to press. Apply with a heat press at 150°C for 10 seconds, peel immediately, and you’re done. No pre-treatment. No weeding. No curing.
How to Apply DTF Transfers: Step-by-Step Guide
Applying DTF transfers is one of the simplest garment decoration processes available. You need a heat press (highly recommended) and about 30 seconds per garment. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Pre-Press the Garment (3-5 seconds at 150°C)
This removes any moisture from the fabric and flattens wrinkles. Moisture is the enemy of a good transfer – it creates steam pockets that prevent proper adhesion. A quick pre-press eliminates this problem entirely.
Position the Transfer on the Garment
Place the DTF transfer face-down (printed side touching fabric). Align it where you want the design. For consistent placement across multiple garments, consider using a heat press alignment tool or marking the position with heat-safe tape.
Press at 150°C for 10 Seconds with Medium-High Pressure
Close the heat press firmly. The combination of heat and pressure melts the TPU adhesive and bonds it into the fabric fibres. Ensure the entire transfer area is covered by the platen. For larger designs on smaller presses, you may need to press in sections.
Hot Peel – Remove the Film Immediately
Our transfers are designed for hot peel. As soon as you open the press, peel the carrier film away gently at a 45° angle. If any part of the design lifts with the film, lay it back down and press for a few more seconds. For your first transfer, we recommend adding a small test design to your gang sheet and practising on a scrap piece of fabric first.
Post-Press for Maximum Durability (Optional)
For the longest-lasting results, place a sheet of parchment paper or Teflon sheet over the design and press again for 5 seconds at 150°C. This final press fully embeds the adhesive and gives the transfer a smooth, professional finish.
Pro tip: Variables like fabric type, heat press calibration, and atmospheric moisture can all affect results. We strongly recommend pressing a small test design first before committing to a full production run. You can include a small penny-sized test graphic on your gang sheet for exactly this purpose.
DTF Transfers vs Screen Printing vs Sublimation vs Vinyl (HTV)
Choosing the right garment decoration method depends on your order size, fabric type, design complexity, and budget. DTF transfers have rapidly gained popularity because they combine the best aspects of several methods without the drawbacks. Here’s an honest comparison:
| Feature | DTF Transfers | Screen Printing | Sublimation | Vinyl / HTV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colours | Unlimited (CMYK) | 1-8 (cost per colour) | Unlimited | Limited by layers |
| Fabric Types | Any fabric | Most fabrics | White polyester only | Most fabrics |
| Dark Garments | Yes – built-in white base | Yes (underbase needed) | No | Yes |
| Setup Cost | None | High (screens, setup) | Low | Low |
| Minimum Order | 1 piece | Usually 25-50+ | 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Photo-Quality Images | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
| Weeding Required | No | No | No | Yes (time consuming) |
| Pre-Treatment | None | None | None | None |
| Hand Feel | Soft, slightly raised | Very soft (water-based) | Zero hand feel | Raised, can feel stiff |
| Durability | 60+ washes | Excellent | Excellent | Good (can crack) |
| Best For | All-purpose, small-to-medium runs | Large runs, simple designs | White polyester, sportswear | Simple 1-3 colour designs |
| Cost Per Unit (small runs) | Low | High | Low | Medium |
When DTF Transfers Are the Best Choice
DTF transfers excel when you need full-colour designs on mixed fabric types without high minimums. They’re the ideal choice for small clothing brands launching new designs, print-on-demand fulfilment, personalised gifts and one-off items, market stall traders who stock multiple designs, school and sports team branding in small batches, and anyone who needs professional results without owning a printer. For very large production runs (500+ of a single design), screen printing may offer a lower per-unit cost. For white polyester garments, sublimation gives an unbeatable hand feel. But for everything in between – which covers the vast majority of real-world use cases – DTF transfers offer the best balance of quality, versatility, and value.
What Can You Print DTF Transfers On?
One of the biggest advantages of DTF transfers over other methods is fabric versatility. The TPU adhesive bonds mechanically to textile fibres when heated, meaning it works with virtually any woven or knitted material. Here’s what you can decorate with our custom DTF transfers:
T-Shirts & Tops
Cotton, polyester, tri-blend, organic cotton. Works on light and dark colours equally well. The most popular use for DTF transfers by far.
Hoodies & Sweatshirts
Fleece-lined hoodies, pullover sweatshirts, zip-ups. DTF bonds well to the smooth face of sweatshirt fabric. Apply slightly more pressure for thicker materials.
Sportswear & Performance Gear
Polyester jerseys, running tops, gym vests, cycling gear. DTF won’t cause dye migration on polyester – a common problem with other methods.
Bags & Accessories
Tote bags, canvas bags, backpacks, pencil cases. Cotton canvas takes DTF transfers beautifully.
Caps & Hats
Structured and unstructured caps. You’ll need a cap press attachment or curved heat platen for best results on curved surfaces.
Workwear & Hi-Vis
Polo shirts, softshell jackets, hi-visibility vests. DTF is increasingly used for small-batch workwear branding where embroidery setup costs are prohibitive.
Baby & Children’s Clothing
Our EU-made, non-toxic film is safe for children’s garments. Babygrows, bibs, school uniforms – all perfect for DTF.
Home Textiles
Cushion covers, tea towels, aprons, table runners. Any heat-pressable textile is a candidate for DTF transfers.
Fabric not listed? If it can withstand 150°C for 10 seconds without damage, it will almost certainly work with DTF. When in doubt, add a small test design to your gang sheet and try it on a scrap piece of the material first. You can also request free samples to test.
Our DTF Transfer Quality Standards
Not all DTF transfers are created equal. The quality of a DTF transfer depends on three things: the film, the ink, and the adhesive powder. Cheap suppliers often use low-grade imported film with inconsistent coatings, which leads to poor colour vibrancy, difficult peeling, and transfers that crack or wash out after a handful of washes. Here’s what we use and why it matters:
EU-Manufactured PET Film
We print all custom DTF transfers on European-made PET film with a double-matte coating optimised for hot peel. EU-manufactured film undergoes stricter quality control than budget alternatives and complies with REACH regulations – the European Union’s comprehensive chemical safety framework. This matters especially if you’re printing transfers for children’s clothing, school uniforms, or workwear where chemical safety standards apply.
Premium Nanodroplet CMYK + White Ink
We use high-pigment, nanodroplet DTF ink that produces sharp detail and vivid colour reproduction. The white ink layer provides an opaque base on dark garments, preventing the garment colour from showing through. Our ink formulation is specifically designed to minimise head clogging and maintain consistent output across long print runs – which means consistent quality from the first sheet to the last.
Soft-Stretch TPU Adhesive Powder
The adhesive powder is what makes a DTF transfer stick to fabric – and what determines its hand feel, stretchability, and wash durability. We use premium raw TPU powder that produces a soft, flexible bond. The transfer moves and stretches with the fabric rather than sitting on top of it like a rigid patch. The result is a print that feels like part of the garment, not an afterthought.
DTF Gang Sheets Explained
A DTF gang sheet is a single transfer sheet that contains multiple designs arranged together to make the best use of the available print area. Instead of ordering each design as a separate transfer (and paying per transfer), you “gang up” all your designs onto one sheet – fitting as many as possible into the space.
This is how businesses keep their per-unit cost down. For example, on a single A3 gang sheet (297 × 420 mm), you might fit 4-8 small chest logos, or 2 full front-of-shirt designs, or a mix of different sizes. On a 31cm × 1m roll, you can fit significantly more. The economics of ganging are powerful: the more efficiently you fill your sheet, the lower your cost per individual transfer.
Our Free Gang Sheet Builder Tool
We built a free online gang sheet generator specifically for this purpose. It lets you drag-and-drop your designs, resize them, rotate them, and arrange them on a virtual canvas matching our sheet sizes. The tool also includes built-in quality checks that detect low-resolution images (below 300 DPI) and semi-transparent areas that would cause print problems. You can also build your own gang sheet manually in any design software – just export as a PNG with a transparent background at 300 DPI.
Gang sheet tip: Leave a small gap (2-3mm) between each design on your gang sheet to make cutting easier. And always add a small coin-sized test swatch to the corner of your first order – it’s free insurance for dialling in your heat press settings.
Artwork Requirements for Custom DTF Transfers
We print your custom DTF transfers exactly as you supply them, so getting your artwork right is important. We only accept print-ready designs – here’s what that means:
Resolution: 300 DPI Minimum
Your artwork must be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the intended print size. Low-resolution images will appear blurry and pixelated when printed. If your image is below 300 DPI, you can try upscaling it using an online AI upscaler before submitting. Our gang sheet builder will warn you if your images are below the recommended resolution.
Transparent Background (PNG Format)
Submit your artwork as a PNG file with a transparent background. The printer will only print the visible elements of your design – everything transparent will be left blank. If your design has a white background instead of a transparent one, the white area will be printed as a visible white border around your design. Use tools like Vectorizer.ai for logos and illustrations, or any image editing software to remove backgrounds from photos.
No Semi-Transparent Elements
DTF printers cannot print semi-transparent ink. Any partially transparent areas in your design (common with drop shadows, glow effects, and poorly-removed photo backgrounds) will be printed as solid colour, which usually looks wrong. Our gang sheet builder highlights problematic areas in orange so you can fix them before ordering. A very fine semi-transparent border around text is generally acceptable, but larger areas need to be fixed.
Do Not Mirror Your Files
Unlike some other transfer methods, DTF transfers do not need to be mirrored. Submit your design the right way round – we handle the rest.
CMYK Colour Limitations
We print using CMYK colour mode, which does not cover 100% of the visible colour spectrum (particularly very bright neons and certain blues and greens). We achieve approximately 95% colour accuracy for most designs. If exact colour matching is critical for your brand, we recommend ordering a small sample first to check the colour output against your requirements.
Washing & Care Instructions for DTF Transfers
When properly applied, our DTF transfers are designed to withstand 60+ washes. To ensure maximum longevity, follow these care guidelines:
✅ Do This
Wash inside out at 40°C or below. Use a gentle or normal wash cycle. Tumble dry on low heat if needed. Iron around the transfer, not directly on it – or place a cloth between the iron and the design. Allow 24 hours after pressing before the first wash for the adhesive to fully cure.
❌ Avoid This
Do not wash at temperatures above 60°C. Do not use bleach or harsh stain removers directly on the transfer. Do not iron directly on the transfer at high heat without protection. Do not dry clean (the solvents can damage the TPU adhesive). Do not use fabric softener in the same wash – it can coat the transfer and reduce vibrancy over time.
If you sell garments with DTF transfers to your customers, we recommend including care instructions on your product tags or packaging. Proper care dramatically extends the life of the print and reduces returns.
Frequently Asked Questions About DTF Transfers
Ready to Order Your Custom DTF Transfers?
From £1.50 per sheet. No minimum order. Free UK shipping over £100. Free samples available.
Related DTF Printing Products & Resources
We supply everything you need for DTF printing in the UK – whether you want ready-made custom transfers or you run your own DTF printer and need supplies. Explore our full range:
DTF Film
A3, A3+, A4 sheets and 30cm/33cm rolls. Premium double-matte coating, instant peel. EU manufactured.
DTF Ink
Nanodroplet CMYK, white, light cyan, and light magenta. Low-clog formula. UK stock, fast shipping.
DTF Powder
Premium raw TPU adhesive powder. Soft, stretchy bond. Available in white and black blockout. 60°C wash safe.
Gang Sheet Builder
Free online tool to arrange your designs, detect quality issues, and create print-ready gang sheets.
Free DTF Samples
Test our film, ink, and powder quality before buying. Free sample packs available for UK addresses.
DTF Printing Blog
Tips, tutorials, and news about DTF printing technology. Guides for beginners and experienced printers.