Direct-to-film (DTF) is a digital printing technique that involves printing a design onto a PET film, coating it with a heat-fusible powder, and then transferring it to the fabric using a heat press. The result is a flexible, precise print, without borders or weeding, applicable to all types of textiles —cotton, polyester, silk, synthetic fibers, light or dark fabrics—without pretreatment. It is currently the most versatile textile printing solution on the market.

No, that's one of the great advantages of DTF. Unlike traditional four-color transfers, there are no white borders or outlines around the prints. Every pixel of your design is faithfully reproduced right to the edge. There's also no weeding required—the unprinted areas are simply transparent. The result is crisp, professional, and blends seamlessly into the fabric.

Textile DTF uses pigmented inks and a hot-melt powder to transfer designs onto fabric using a heat press (130–160°C). UV DTF (or UV DTF) uses UV inks cured by ultraviolet light to create 3D stickers that can be cold-applied to virtually any rigid or smooth surface (metal, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, etc.). Both processes start with a transfer film, but the inks, equipment, and applications differ. See our UV DTF for Objects page for more information.

No. Once pressed, the DTF transfer is soft, flexible, and pleasant to the touch. The print remains very light—it's one of the techniques with the least "stiffness" (resistance to touch) on the fabric. The fabric retains its natural suppleness, even on thin materials like a lightweight t-shirt. Post-pressing (a second pass through the press) further improves the final result and the feel.

Yes, that's one of the major advantages of DTF printing. The layer of white ink printed first on the PET film acts as an opaque background , allowing the colors to stand out perfectly on dark fabrics. Whether it's a black, navy, burgundy, or khaki t-shirt, the result is identical to that obtained on white. This is impossible with traditional sublimation, which only works on white or light-colored polyester.

Yes, absolutely. DTF works perfectly on 100% cotton, regardless of color. In fact, this is one of the reasons why DTF has superseded other techniques: there are no fabric composition restrictions. A Regent 100% cotton t-shirt in white, gray, or black can be customized with the same file and settings. Recommended temperature: 130 to 160°C for 12 to 15 seconds, cold peel.

Some materials require special precautions or should be avoided altogether: softshell (heat-sensitive waterproof membrane), neoprene,pure elastane (Lycra), and textiles with a very plush backing. A preliminary test is strongly recommended for these materials. Highly elastic textiles (Lycra/Spandex) can be pressed, but the print's lifespan will be reduced due to repeated stretching. Consult our DTF pressing conditions sheet for parameters specific to each material.

All our DTF and DTF UV printing is carried out in France at our workshop in Ennery (95), in the Val-d'Oise region, by our specialized team. Our equipment is regularly calibrated and tested to guarantee sharp lines, color accuracy, and durable transfers. Our DTF inks are specifically selected for their performance on both light and dark textiles, with optimal white density and controlled consumption.

With correct pressing settings and proper care, our DTF transfers offer a lifespan of 50 to 60 washes. This lifespan may vary depending on the fabric's elasticity and quality, washing temperatures, and whether post-pressing is applied. To maximize durability, wash inside out at a maximum of 40°C, without tumble drying or bleaching. A second press of 10 to 15 seconds after the initial press significantly improves resistance to washing and abrasion.

Yes. DTF allows you to print dozens or hundreds of items quickly with consistent quality from one copy to the next. Unlike screen printing, which requires stencil preparation for each color and has a high minimum order quantity, DTF is just as effective for 1 item as it is for 1,000. Our service offers A4, A3, A2, 56×100 cm, and 56×200 cm formats, as well as volume packages for large production runs.

DTF color reproduction is very accurate across the entire CMYK spectrum. Gradients, photos, and complex colors are reproduced perfectly. However, DTF works in CMYK, not Pantone —direct Pantone colors (such as certain bright reds or specific oranges) cannot be guaranteed to be identical. If Pantone conformity is critical to your project, screen printing is recommended. To prepare your file correctly, consult our DTF file preparation guide.

Yes. DTF inks penetrate deep into the fibers thanks to the hot-melt powder and offer excellent wash resistance. By following the recommendations (washing inside out, maximum 40°C, no tumble drying), you can achieve 50 to 60 washes with the quality maintained. Even beyond that, the print remains visible and legible—only a slight loss of brightness may occur, which is normal for any textile printing technique.

Several practices can optimize longevity: perform a post-pressing for 10 to 15 seconds immediately after the initial pressing (with or without a Teflon sheet), wash inside out at 30–40°C, avoid tumble drying, and never iron directly on the design (always iron inside out). Proper post-pressing is the number one factor that distinguishes an average-quality transfer from a durable, professional one.

Yes, but always inside out and at a moderate temperature (cotton/synthetic setting depending on the fabric). Never place the iron directly on the DTF design—direct heat could alter the colors or cause the transfer to stick to the iron. If in doubt, place a cloth or a Teflon sheet between the iron and the garment.

No, tumble drying is strongly discouraged. The prolonged heat and mechanical friction of the dryer can cause the DTF print to peel, crack, or otherwise damage, even if it appears perfectly adhered. Always opt for air drying, either flat or on a hanger.

Technically possible, but strongly discouraged. An iron cannot reach and maintain the necessary 130–160°C evenly across the entire transfer surface, nor can it apply consistent pressure. The result will be a poorly adhered transfer with peeling areas and a significantly reduced lifespan. For professional and long-lasting results, a heat press is essential. Consult our heat press guide to choose the right one for you.

It depends on the type of PET film used. There are two types: cold peel (the film needs to cool before being removed—the most common and forgiving for beginners) and hot peel (the film peels off immediately after pressing, while still hot). Our Créadhésif printing service uses cold peel by default. If you're unsure, always wait until the transfer is at room temperature before peeling—it's the safest method.

We accept PNG, PDF, AI, EPS, and PSD formats . PNG with a transparent background is ideal for images that need to be cut out. Vector PDF is recommended for logos and text. JPG files are accepted but discouraged, as compression can degrade the quality of fine details and pattern edges.

The minimum recommended resolution is 150 DPI at actual print size. Ideally, work at 300 DPI to ensure optimal sharpness of fine details. A low-resolution file (72 DPI) will result in a blurry or pixelated print. For vector logos, resolution is not an issue—vector files are resolution-independent.

Prepare your files in RGB — unlike traditional offset printing which works in CMYK, DTF printers handle RGB files better. Our RIP software performs the CMYK conversion optimized for our DTF inks. If you send a CMYK file, it will be automatically converted, which may result in slight color variations.

No, send your file in its normal orientation. Our RIP software automatically handles mirroring when printing onto PET film. Unlike other transfer techniques, you don't have to worry about file orientation. Simply send your artwork in its normal reading direction.

Yes, ideally. A transparent background (alpha channel) allows our software to generate precisely the right amount of white space beneath your design, without any bleeding. If your file has a white or colored background, that background will also be printed—this isn't a problem for rectangular images, but for cut-out shapes (logos, irregular patterns), a transparent background is essential for a result without visible outlines. Export as a PNG with transparency or as a vector PDF.

Yes, and it's even recommended to optimize costs. You can group several different designs on the same DTF sheet to maximize film usage. Our online sheet builder lets you easily create your sheet. Note: you can mix different logos on a sheet, but not light and dark fabrics —the white layer is calculated for the entire sheet.

If you're sending a vector file (AI, EPS, PDF), yes, vectorize (flatten) your text to avoid font substitution issues. If you're sending a raster file (PNG, PSD at 300 DPI), the text is already rasterized, so this isn't a problem. When in doubt, always export your final file as a 300 DPI PNG with a transparent background—it's the most universal format and the least prone to errors.

The minimum recommended line thickness is 0.5 mm and 5–6 points for text at final print size. Below these values, details may close up or merge during printing. For very fine text or logos with extremely precise details, perform a test on an A4 sheet before ordering in large quantities. Our PDF guide, "Mastering DTF: Mistakes to Avoid," is available on our blog under the DTF section.

No, there's no minimum order requirement at Créadhésif. You can order a single A4 sheet to test your design, or hundreds of sheets for mass production—pricing adjusts to the volume. This is one of the major advantages of the DTF service compared to traditional screen printing.

DTF prints are custom-made products produced on demand — they are not eligible for return except in the case of a proven manufacturing defect (error on our part, printing defect noticed upon receipt). If you notice a quality issue, contact us within 48 hours of receipt with photos at [email protected] — we will find a suitable solution.

Printed DTF sheets can be stored for several months without loss of quality, provided they are stored flat, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Avoid rolling or folding them. This is a significant logistical advantage: you can print in advance and press on demand, which is ideal for safety stock.

DTF printing requires a specialized printer equipped with tanks for pigment-based DTF inks (CMYK + white). These printers are based on modified inkjet technology—the feed rollers are removed, and the LC/LM tanks are filled with white DTF ink. The most common printers are based on the Epson L1800. For high-volume production, systems with integrated powder and dryer units are available in 30 cm, 60 cm, or larger formats. See our range of DTF printer kits.

No, a standard office printer is not suitable. It is not designed for DTF inks, PET film, or to handle the white layer. If you wish to equip yourself, you will either need to purchase a dedicated DTF printer kit or modify a compatible printer (Epson L1800, R1800, etc.). If you do not wish to invest in equipment, our on-demand DTF printing service allows you to benefit from professional transfers without any hardware investment.

A RIP (Raster Image Processor) software is essential for DTF printing. It manages color profiling, ink levels, droplet size, print order (colors first, white on top), and automatic mirroring. The most commonly used software for DTF printers includes Photoprint, Cadlink, ErgoSoft , and the RIPs included with printer kits. The software is the primary factor determining the final transfer quality.

The printing service is ideal for starting out, testing designs, small to medium print runs, and one-off projects. Investing in a DTF printer becomes worthwhile when your monthly order volume regularly reaches 200 to 400 A4 sheets or equivalent. At this stage, the internal cost of production can become lower than the service price. Our webinar, "When to Invest in a DTF Printer?", addresses this profitability calculation in detail.

If DTF ( Direct-to-Fly) printing doesn't meet your needs, other techniques may be suitable: sublimation for white or light-colored polyester fabrics (invisible feel, integrated colors), flex printing for simple single or two-color logos (velvety finish, very durable), or screen printing for very large runs with strict Pantone color matching. Consult our webinar "Choosing Your Personalization Technique" for guidance.

This is possible on some waterproof items (umbrellas, simple rain jackets) but not recommended on softshell garments with technical membranes (Gore-Tex, similar) whose membrane can be damaged by the heat of pressing. For simple rain jackets without a membrane, a preliminary test at 120–130°C is recommended. For caps, beanies, gloves, and waterproof bags without a technical membrane, DTF (Direct-to-Fly) treatment generally works well.