DTF vs UV DTF: What is the Difference? (It's More Than You Think!)

Are you confused about the differences between DTF and UV DTF printing? 

You are not alone! They sound almost identical, they're both called "DTF," and they both make full color transfers with no cutting and no weeding. But they go on completely different things, and they are not interchangeable.

In this blog post I'll explain the difference between DTF vs UV DTF, including how and when each of these types of transfers can be used.

How to Put DTF Transfers on T Shirts

DTF transfers are becoming increasingly popular with crafters as many realize they offer a lot more flexibility than sublimation transfers. 

DTF transfers are cutless, weedless, full color transfers that are not only inexpensive and easy to apply, but they can go on any color or type of garment. 

A DTF printer is a high priced investment for a small business that plans to print transfers daily. But there are plenty of options for purchasing DTF transfers. 

In this tutorial I'll show you how to put DTF transfers on t shirts, whether you print them yourself or purchase the transfers.

How to Remove DTF From a Shirt (Before and After)

If you're struggling with how to remove DTF form a shirt - either due to a mistake or you want to re-use the shirt - it is possible! 

Turns out you CAN remove DTF transfer mistakes and save your shirt even after you press the transfer.  I tried this method "just in case it worked" and was shocked to find out that not only did it remove the transfer really well, but it's nearly impossible to see the mistake. 

DTF Heat Press Settings: Time and Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

I am so excited to share this DTG time and temperature cheat sheet with you guys. 

I'm gonna be real honest. I made this for myself because I was tired of repeatedly having to look back at my own tutorials just to remember what temperature my heat press or curing oven needed to be on to press transfers. I can't be the only one...so I created this printable DTF and DTG transfer time and temp chart that you can print and keep close by.

DTF heat press settings, quick answer

If you just need the number and you're standing at your press right now: press DTF transfers at 320 F to 356 F (160 C to 180 C) for 10 to 20 seconds, then peel and post press at the same time and temperature. 

You don't need a cover sheet for the initial press. Full settings, including the powder curing step, are below. 

DTF settings chart

These work for any garment color, which is one of the nice things about DTF. There's no separate setting for lights and darks the way there is with DTG. 

Step	Setting
Powder curing temperature	250 F / 120 C
Powder curing time	120 seconds in a curing oven
Pre press the garment	Yes
Application temperature	320 F to 356 F / 160 C to 180 C
Application time	10 to 20 seconds
Post peel press	Yes, same time and temperature
Cover sheet	Not needed
Garment color	Any

The powder curing step only applies if you're printing your own transfers. If you ordered them, they arrive cured and ready to press, so you skip straight to pre pressing the garment. 

DTG heat press settings

DTG is a different animal because pretreatment and garment color both change what you do. 

Garment	Pretreat	Temp	Time	Pressure
White	No	338 F	30 to 45 seconds	5 (50 psi), medium
Black	Yes	338 F	75 to 90 seconds	5 (50 psi), medium
Dark	Yes, if white ink is used	338 F	75 to 90 seconds	5 (50 psi), medium

All three need a pre press and a fixing or heat set step, and all three use parchment paper as a cover sheet. 

The big difference is time. A white shirt with no pretreatment presses in about half the time of a black one, because there's no pretreat and no white ink underbase to cure. 

Why your settings might be different

A few things will change the numbers above, so don't treat any chart as gospel, including mine. 

Film brand matters most. Different DTF film and powder want different settings. If your supplier gives numbers, start with theirs and use this chart as a sanity check. 

Your press probably isn't accurate. Most heat presses read a few degrees off and some are off by a lot. If transfers are lifting at the recommended setting, that's the first thing I'd check. 

Bought transfers beat my numbers. If you ordered your transfers, whoever printed them knows exactly what film they used. Their instructions win. 

When in doubt, press one on a scrap and wash it before you run a whole order. 

Get the free printable chart

Want all of this on one page you can print and stick next to your press? Tell me where to send it and I'll email it over. 

Send Me the Cheat Sheet

Yes, please send me the downloadable and printable DTF and DTG settings chart.

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Want More DTF help? 

Still deciding on a machine? I put my picks in one place: best DTF printer for small business. 

Weighing DTF against sublimation? Here's the full side by side comparison. 

Live Look the NEW xTool Apparel Printer for DTF Beginners and Small Shops | Live Stream Event Details

I am SO excited to announce something I've been working on - a rare LIVE stream to answer your questions and do a live demo on the new xTool Apparel Printer. 

If you've been looking for a DTF printer that's MAC and PC compatible, while also being beginner friendly, easy to set up and use - the xTool DTF printer may just be what you're looking for. 

Is there Finally a Clog Free DTF Printer?

Are you on the hunt for a clog-free DTF printer with easy maintenance for your business or t shirt shop? Until recently I would have told you it's not possible.

But after spending some time learning and operating Uninet's new direct to film printer that includes patented auto wet capping to avoid clogs - I may be changing my mind.  Read on to learn more about the Uninet Xpress DTF Printer. 

How to Put DTF Transfers on Hats

You can put DTF transfers on hats even if you don't have a hat press. 

Since DTF transfers can be ironed on, applying to hats is fast and easy! Read on for some tips on making and applying DTF transfers for hats. 

Garment Creator 2 Setup Made EASY - Video Tutorial

If you just got the Epson F1070 or F2270, this is the very first thing you’ll want to do.

Before you even turn on your printer, you can go ahead and download Garment Creator 2—the free software that runs both models.

Desktop DTF and DTG Printer for Home Business! Unboxing the Epson F1070

If you've been looking for an affordable desktop printer that can do both DTF (Direct-to-Film) and DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing, this might be exactly what your home business needs. 

The dual purpose F1070 is Epson's first desktop size DTF/DTG printer specifically for home businesses. It's not only easy to use but it's easy to maintain and has a price point under $6500. 

Read on for my full unboxing of the Epson F1070..and check out my exclusive interactive tool to quickly decide if the F1070 is right for you!

DTF Transfers with Sublimation Ink vs DTF Printer: Pros & Cons You REALLY Need to Know!

Printing DTF Transfers with sublimation ink as an inexpensive hack that's being done instead of using an actual DTF printer. 

Direct to Film solves a lot of problems and this hack allows you to put sublimation on cotton...but not all cotton. BUT...how do you do DTF printing with a sublimation printer...and is it really safe?  Read on to find out! 

DTF Transfer Printing With Roland BY-20

You won't believe how easy it is to print DTF prints with this printer!

If you have been looking for a DTF printer, the Roland BY-20 is a great option! 

Introduction to Direct to Film Printing and How it Fits into Your Silhouette Business

If you've heard the term DTF or Direct to Film printing but you're not sure what it is - or how it could fit into your Silhouette CAMEO world or your small business - you've come to the right spot. 

Read on to learn more about DTF printing and how a desktop DTF printer like the Prestige A3+ can help you make, print, and sell cut-less, weed-less full color transfers from designs you already own! 

Roland BY-20 DTF Printer: Everything to Know & 3 Massive Changes from BN-20D

A year after releasing it's first 20" DTF printer, Roland has just launched a top to bottom re-designed direct to film printer - complete with a new name, new price, and a whole slew of new features.  Meet the Roland BY-20.

Beginning today the brand new BY-20 DTF Printer is on pre order with shipping on a limited number of printers beginning in February 2024. 

I'm excited to have one of the few and very first BY-20 direct to film printers so I can share all the details with you..so read (and watch) on.

Desktop DTF Printer for Home | Meet the Prestige A4 Direct to Film Printer

I saved the smallest desktop DTF printer unboxing for last this year!  

With the discontinuation of the Prestige A3+ and A3+ R, the Prestige A4 Direct to Film Printer is now the most affordable desktop DTF printer. 

Desktop DTF Printer News: Big Changes....from Three Major Manufacturers

If you're in the desktop direct to film (DTF) world - big changes to share today.

 

It's not often that three of the big manufacturers of desktop DTF printers all announce changes on the same day. But here we are...

DTF and DTG Printer in One: Epson F2100 Everything You Need to Know

If you're looking for a t-shirt printer that will do it all to take your t-shirt business to the next level, I may have finally found the one. 

The Epson F2100 is a DTF and DTG printer in one meaning it can print directly on darks, lights, any fabric type and DTF film. It prints white, works on MAC and PC, has relatively easy maintenance, and includes everything you need to get started - including ink.  

That's a lot of box checking, right?

The Epson F2100 DTG and DTG Printer is as close to a do it all printer for t shirts and DTF transfers that you're going to find under $12k $10k (new price reduction!!).  This is not a printer for crafters - the size, the price, the use requirements to maintain it are just not for anyone who's not consistently selling.  

But for small businesses looking to stop turning down shirt orders that a sublimation printer isn't up for (at least efficiently) while also having the ability to print the finished garment or the ready-to-press transfer the F2100 is a great option.  Read on to find out more about the Epson Surecolor F2100 DTG and DTF combo printer. 

What is DTF Transfer Printing? Process Explained (Video)

You've probably heard the new "buzz" term "DTF" around the crafting and small business industry growing increasingly more frequent.  Today I'm going to not only explain, but show you the DTF transfer printing process. 

You'll see how DTF is so useful especially with full color designs that you want to put on dark or cotton shirts, or when you don't feel like weeding or when it's nearly impossible to cut and layer. 

There are currently a handful of desktop DTF printers available (and I have several of them: Roland BN-20D, Prestige A3+, Uninet 100 and Epson F2100 (DTF and DTG combo printer) for small businesses. 

The low price point of about $3500 and the routine maintenance required puts them out of what I would ever recommend for a hobby crafter (and there are other options if you want DTF transfers but won't be printing regularly). However if you have a small t shirt business and you're looking to grow by offering darks and cotton shirts, a direct to film printer is something to consider.

Roland DTF Printer Setup: BN-20D Printer, Driver and Software (Additional Video)

Setting up the Roland DTF Printer, the BN-20D, is actually pretty easy and straightforward...especially compared to other DTF printer setups which require a lot more when it comes to installing the ink. 

Here I'll walk you through the steps to setup the Roland BN-20D 20" DTF printer from start to finish.  I also have a DTF printer set up video you can watch that goes through the same steps if you'd prefer.

Desktop DTF Printer Comparison: Roland BN-20D vs Prestige A3+

If you're looking for the best desktop DTF printer then you've probably wondered which is better: the Roland BN-20D or the Prestige A3+ or A3+ R? 

Given that I have both and have used both, this is a question I keep getting and one that I am hoping I can help answer for you. 

I know it's important for you to invest in the best DTF printer and it's not an easy or inexpensive choice! Read on for a comparison between the Roland BN-20D DTF printer vs the Prestige A3+ DTF Printer. 

Desktop DTF Printer Comparison: Prestige A3+ vs Prestige A3+ R

There's rapidly increasing interest in desktop Direct to Film printers for at-home t-shirt transfer businesses. That's created a market that's trying to keep up with the demand for full color weedless, cutless printable transfers in a compact DTF printer size. 

I shared with you an introduction to DTF and how it might fit into your business along with everything to know about the Prestige A3+ DTF printer not long ago. Now there's a second model that gives small businesses even more options to grow.  

There are a few differences between the two desktop DTF printer models depending on your needs, space, and budget!  Read on for a comparison of the Prestige A3+ vs Prestige A3+ R DTF Printer...where R stands for "roll"...and how to get yourself some free DTF film if you decide to invest in a DTF printer setup.