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 Put DTF Transfers on Acrylic (DTF Printer or Laser Cutter Not Required)

Did you know you can put DTF transfers on acrylic? It's SO easy and creates the most gorgeous ornaments, keychains, and gift tags! 

The best part is you don't need a DTF printer or a laser cuter to do this!  You can buy acrylic blanks and DTF transfers, then just apply them with your heat press!  In this tutorial I'll show you how. 

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. 

How to Add Distressing to White Toner Transfers for Softer and Better Quality Transfers

One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of White Toner transfers is by adding natural breaks to the artwork also known as rasterizing.

This can be done by removing the shirt color, adding holes or lines or adding a vintage-looking distress filter. Uninet recently released a new update to iColor ProRip Essentials that offers a built in distressing feature. In this tutorial I'll show you just how easy it is to use. 

What is Rasterization and Why Is it So Important for DTF and White Toner Transfers?

The best way to avoid cracks and thick heavy t shirt transfers is by preparing the artwork before you even print your transfer.

Rasterization is the process of adding breaks to the transfer to allow it to breath, increase stretchability and softness, and limit cracking and wrinkling which can happen when transfer has large solid areas of ink.

Rasterization is particularly important with certain types of heat transfers like White Toner and even direct to film.  But how do you do this while keeping the artwork looking good at the same time? 

Add Puff HTV to Your DTF Transfers...and WOW!

Want your DTF transfers to stand out or just want a little extra..pop? 

While DTF transfers can do a lot they can not compete with special effects HTV like puff, glitter, and other specialized finishes. But did you know you can combine the two for the best of both worlds? 

Read on for how to add puff heat transfer vinyl to your t shirt transfers.

Free DTF Gang Sheet Size Estimator - Save Money and Time With DTF Transfers

Have you ever wanted to build a DTF transfer gang sheet but had no idea what size you should start with? 

Maybe you think you need a giant 22" x 60" sheet, but your designs might actually fit on something smaller allowing you to save some money. 

This is such a common problem, and I'm SUPER excited to share a free new tool with you today.

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!

How to Add Roland Cut Lines Inside Letters with One Click (BN2 and Flexi)

If you're struggling to get Roland cut lines inside your letters or on internal parts of a design, it's actually very easy. 

This is probably one of the top questions I get from Roland beginners and it's super easy. Read on to learn the one step you need to take to add cut lines for Roland BN2-20A or BN2-20 inside letters. 

Why I Only Perf Cut Sheet Cut on my Roland BN2-20A

If you want to save material when printing on your Roland BN2-20A or BN2-20 you can take advantage of the Perf Cut Sheet Cut option. 

This setting will allow you to clearly tear away the printed material you have already printed, while leaving the bare minimum lead material for the next print - avoiding waste. Read on for how to set up this option.

The No Powder DTF Printer That Requires No Maintenance and Never Clogs

If DTF powder and the maintenance of DTF printers have scared you off, there is a lesser known t shirt transfer printer out there.  You can consider the White Toner printer a no powder DTF printer with no maintenance. 

The iColor 560 White Toner printer doesn't use ink at all so it doesn't get clogged up and powder is not required to create an adhesive. Read on to learn more about the iColor 560 White Toner Printer. 

It's Magic! Recolor Sublimation and DTF Images in Silhouette Studio | Quick Trick Tutorial

Did you ever find a perfect DTF or sublimation design but it's not quiet the right color?

You can recolor images in Silhouette Studio with just the click of a button or two. Read on for how easy it is to make color changes to your designs for FREE.  

What Is a White Toner Printer...and What Can It Do?

If you've been looking for an alternative to sublimation or DTF, a white toner printer could be the answer! 

But what is a white toner printer and what are the benefits over direct to film and sublimation - both of which also print weedless, cutless transfers?  

What Can the BN-20A Do: Is Roland BN-20A Worth It?

If you're looking to increase production and expand your small business with an all-in-one printer and cutter you are probably wondering "What can the BN-20A do?"

Knowing what the 20" ecosolvent print and cut machine can do can help you decide if the Roland BN-20A is worth the start up price for your small business.  Read on for a look at just how versatile the BN-20A is and what all it can do. 

Roland BN-20 vs BN-20D DTF Printer: Side by Side Comparison

Despite the similar look and name, the Roland BN-20 (and BN-20A) and BN-20D are very different printers.  

One is an ecosolvent print and cut machine that can cut everything from vinyl stickers to photos to heat transfers and the other is a 20" DTF printer that prints weedless, cutless direct to film transfers.  Read on for the difference between the two 20" Roland desktop printers...and don't forget to sign up to get updates on BN-20D pre orders, tutorials and updates!