What is DTF printing? No printer needed
Suddenly the crafty community is buzzing with a new material. Everyone is talking and creating with DTF. But what is DTF printing and do you need to buy yet another printer? The short answer to last question is no and I’ll explain why.
If you are a Cricut user or you fell in love with sublimation. As a hobby crafter or small business maker then you need to know about DTF printing.
What is DTF printing?
DTF is Direct to film printing where your designs are printed onto film, coated with powder, baked, and turned into ready‑to‑press transfers. Now you could invest in the printer, the powder and the specialist oven or (and this is much simpler) upload your designs to a specialist printing company like DTF.UK, who will make you a gang sheet with your designs on, ship it to you and then all you need to do is heat up your press and away you go!
What makes it different from HTV or sublimation?
HTV (heat transfer vinyl) uses svg files and a cutting machine to cut out a design that you then have to weed. Unless you are using printable htv, you are limited to one layer of colour at a time, and all that weeding can be time consuming and tricky.
Sublimation requires you to buy a specialist printer and also use polyester coated products to print on. Whereas DTF and UV DTF can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces.
Why I love it
You can turn your own designs into vibrant prints, that are stretchy and durable. They work on cotton, polyester, blends and both dark fabrics and light fabrics.
Why you don’t need to buy the printer
DTF printers are expensive and high‑maintenance. They will require daily cleaning, and you also have to purchase an oven, powders and make sure you have great ventilation. Adding up extra costs and making it much more complex than outsourcing the printing.
You simply press the finished transfer at home with your heat press
Create your own DTF designs (No printer required)
Use your favourite design tools to create PNG 300dpi files with transparent backgrounds.
- Canva
- Procreate
- Affinity Designer
- Illustrator
- Inkscape
You can also try turning your existing SVGs into files for DTF by exporting them as PNGs.
Or check put my PNG library with a great selection of designs free to use for personal use.
What are DTF gang sheets?
Gang sheets are normally meter long sheets which you can have multiple designs printed onto. Then when you are ready to print you simply cut out the design you want and away you go.
How to order DTF gang sheets
Step‑by‑step process:
- Create your designs
- Upload them to a gang sheet builder (most printers offer drag‑and‑drop tools)
- Arrange your designs to maximise space
- Submit your order
- Receive your ready‑to‑press transfers in the post
What to look for in a good DTF printing company
- Clear colour profiles
- Fast turnaround
- Good reviews
- Your country based options for quick delivery
- Ability to upload PNGs or SVGs
How to apply DTF transfers at home
If you are a Cricut crafter or a sublimation fan you are bound to already have a heat press.
Typical settings:
- 140–150°C
- 10–15 seconds
- Cold peel
Project ideas to use DTF (Beginner‑Friendly)
- T‑shirts
- Hoodies
- Tote bags
- Baby vests
- Aprons
- Small business branding
- Seasonal makes – like my dead crafty shirt!
Download the free Dead crafty PNG file here
