The modern standard for full-color garment decoration. Unlimited colors, photographic quality, soft feel. No screens, no setup fees, no minimums — just your design on your gear.
DTF stands for Direct-to-Film. It's a digital printing process where your design is printed onto a special PET transfer film using industrial-grade CMYK inkjet technology. The print is then coated with a heat-activated adhesive powder, cured, and transferred directly onto your garment using a heat press. The result is a vibrant, full-color print that's part of the fabric — soft, flexible, and built to last.
DTF has rapidly replaced older decoration methods like screen printing for small and medium runs because it eliminates the most expensive part of those methods: setup. There are no screens to burn, no plates to make, no color separation fees. You send us your artwork, we print it, you wear it. That's the whole process.
For businesses, sports teams, and individuals who need bold, accurate color reproduction without minimums, DTF is the definitive answer. A single shirt with a 12-color gradient logo costs the same per unit as if you ordered one piece or fifty — the economics don't penalize small runs.
Screen printing produces excellent results for large runs of simple designs, but it has limitations that DTF doesn't. Each color requires a separate screen, each screen requires a setup fee, and photographic or gradient artwork is difficult or impossible to reproduce accurately. DTF has none of these constraints.
| Feature | DTF Printing | Screen Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Color Limit | Unlimited | Usually 4–6 colors |
| Setup Fee | None | $15–$30 per color |
| Minimum Order | None (1 piece) | Typically 12–24 pieces |
| Photographic Prints | Yes | Limited |
| Dark Garments | Works great | Requires underbase |
| Small Run Pricing | Affordable | Expensive per piece |
Beyond unlimited colors and zero minimums, DTF prints have a soft hand feel that washes and wears naturally with the fabric. Early generations of digital transfers were stiff and crackled over time — that's not what you get from modern DTF. The adhesive layer bonds at a molecular level with the fabric fibers, producing a print that flexes with the garment, survives 50+ wash cycles, and never feels like a sticker.
For small businesses, startups, sports teams, and anyone who needs a small run without paying screen printing minimums and setup fees, DTF is the clear choice. You can order one shirt today and come back for fifty next month — the unit pricing scales naturally with quantity but there's never a penalty for ordering small.
DTF pricing is based on print size and quantity. These ranges reflect all-in pricing — no hidden setup fees or color charges. We quote every order individually so you have exact numbers before committing.
Up to 4" x 4" — left-chest logos, small pocket prints, sleeve hits. Ideal for single-color or simple multi-color logos in smaller formats.
Up to 10" x 12" — standard full-front and full-back designs. The most common size for t-shirt graphics, event shirts, and team apparel.
Oversized prints up to full-back coverage. Complex photographic designs, all-over placements, and large-format event graphics in unlimited colors.
Youth leagues, rec leagues, club sports, and school teams. DTF handles complex mascot artwork and multi-color designs that screen printing would price out of reach. Order per-player quantities without hitting minimums.
New businesses testing branded merchandise before committing to large runs. DTF lets you produce 6–12 shirts to wear to events and see how the market responds — without a $500 screen printing setup minimum.
Charity walks, community events, church groups, and school fundraisers. Order exactly the quantity you need per size — no overproduction, no leftover inventory. Full-color event artwork with no extra color fees.
Independent artists, streamers, and influencers selling limited-edition merch drops. DTF produces premium-quality prints on dark garments that look professional and photograph well — critical for brand credibility.
Email or upload your design. PNG with transparent background is ideal, but we accept any format including AI, EPS, PDF, and JPG.
We prep your file and send back a digital mockup showing placement and sizing on your chosen garment. Free on every order.
Give the green light and we print your transfer film and heat-press it onto your garments with precision alignment.
Your order ships or is ready for local pickup in Meridian, typically within 2–4 business days after approval.