What is DTF printing?
Direct-to-Film (DTF) is a full-colour transfer printing method that works on virtually any fabric, with no minimums and no setup fees. Here's how it works, how it compares to DTG, screen and HTV, and what it costs in Australia.
What is DTF printing?
Direct-to-Film (DTF) is a digital transfer printing method. A specialist printer lays down full-colour CMYK pigment ink onto a thin PET film, dusts it with a hot-melt adhesive powder, then heat-cures the result into a flexible, peelable transfer. You apply that transfer to a garment with a heat press — and the print bonds to the fabric.
Compared to other apparel decoration methods, DTF is the all-rounder. It prints any colour design at full resolution, on virtually any fabric: cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, denim, canvas, hi-vis, and most performance fabrics. It works in batches of one or batches of one thousand, with no screens to set up, no separations to cut, and no minimum order to justify.
DTF is the technology that finally made full-colour custom prints accessible to small Etsy sellers, sports clubs, schools, corporate uniform buyers, and screen printers who need short-run colour without the screen-setup overhead.
How DTF printing works in 3 steps
From your artwork file to a press-ready transfer in your hands.
Print & powder
Your artwork prints in full CMYK plus a precision white underbase onto a PET film carrier. While the ink is still wet, the film passes through a powder station that bonds a thin layer of hot-melt adhesive to the printed areas only.
Cure
The film passes through a curing tunnel at around 160°C, melting the adhesive into a uniform, flexible bond layer. The result is a peelable transfer with your full-colour design ready to press.
Press onto fabric
You position the transfer ink-side down on your garment, press at 160–165°C with medium-firm pressure for 10–15 seconds, then cold-peel the film. The print bonds permanently into the fabric.
DTF vs DTG, screen printing, sublimation & HTV
The five methods most Australian print buyers compare. DTF has emerged as the best all-rounder for short-to-medium runs across mixed fabrics.
| DTF | DTG | Screen Print | Sublimation | HTV (Vinyl) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric range | Any — cotton, poly, blends, fleece, denim, hi-vis | Cotton-heavy fabrics only | Most fabrics | Polyester (light colours only) | Most fabrics |
| Colours | Unlimited — full CMYK + white | Unlimited — full CMYK + white | Limited per screen — extra fees per colour | Unlimited (on white poly) | Solid colours only — no gradients |
| Setup fees | None | None | Per-colour screen fees | None | Cutter setup; per-design weeding |
| Minimum order | No minimum — order 1 or 1,000 | No minimum | Typically 25+ pieces to be cost-effective | No minimum | No minimum (labour-intensive) |
| Hand-feel | Soft, flexible, stretches with fabric | Soft (best) | Variable — heavy on dark fabrics | Imperceptible (dye-bonded) | Plasticky, stiffer, less stretch |
| Wash durability | 50+ washes | 30–50 washes | 50+ washes | Permanent (dyed-in) | 20–40 washes |
| Best for | Mixed-fabric runs, full colour, any quantity | High-detail single tees, cotton | Bulk runs, simple designs | White poly merch (mugs, jerseys) | Names & numbers, one-off names |
The honest take: screen printing still wins on cost-per-piece for very large single-colour runs (500+). Sublimation wins for fully-dyed white polyester sportswear. For everything else — short to medium runs, full-colour, mixed fabrics, no setup risk — DTF is now the default choice for most Australian print buyers.
Compare DTF in detail
Want a head-to-head breakdown? Each guide below covers the trade-offs honestly — including where the alternative wins.
DTF vs DTG →
Direct-to-Garment is softer on cotton tees but loses on fabric range, durability and white opacity. See the full comparison.
DTF vs screen printing →
Screen wins at 500+ single-colour runs. DTF wins on setup fees, colour range and short runs. Where each one still belongs.
DTF vs HTV (vinyl) →
HTV still owns names and numbers. DTF owns everything with colour, gradient or fine detail. Decide which fits your job.
When to choose DTF
DTF shines for buyers who need full colour, fast turnaround, and the freedom to order any quantity.
Etsy & Shopify sellers
Order 5 transfers today, 50 next month, 500 the month after — your supplier never blinks. Full colour, no setup fees.
Sports clubs & schools
Player names, sponsor logos, team crests — all on one sheet. Apply to any jersey fabric, performance or cotton.
Corporate uniforms
Decorate hi-vis, polos, jackets and softshells in one order. Brand colours hold tight to spec across fabrics.
Screen printers
DTF for short-run colour jobs that don't justify screen setup. Trade pricing tiers reward repeat volume.
Brand owners
Iterate fast — print 5 of a new design, test the market, scale only what sells. No screen fees to risk.
Events & pop-ups
Festival merch, charity tees, employee gifts. Express 24hr available — order Monday for Tuesday dispatch.
What DTF costs in Australia
All prices include 10% GST. Free shipping on orders over $100. No minimums, no setup fees.
A small Etsy run, fully priced
Custom DTF starts at $2.95 inc GST per transfer for our smallest preset (5×5cm) and runs up to $21.95 for an oversized 30×45cm. Custom dimensions up to 50×50cm are priced per square centimetre at $0.014/cm² inc GST.
Quantity discounts stack on top — 10% off at 10 pieces, 20% off at 20, 30% off at 50, 40% off at 100, and 50% off at 250+. Approved trade buyers add another 15–30% on top of all of that.
Why order DTF from Ink Fusion
Australia's only DTF supplier with three integrated online builders. Design, price and order without a quote.
Custom DTF builder
Pick a preset size or set your own dimensions, see live tier discounts, upload artwork, order. Single-design transfers from $2.95 inc GST.
Gang sheet packing canvas
Pack multiple designs onto one 60cm sheet — auto-fit algorithm, live preview, fixed price per sheet from $8 inc GST.
Merch design tool
Drop your artwork onto t-shirts, hoodies, totes — see the live mockup, pick colour and position, order direct.
Express 24hr available. Free shipping over $100. All prices inc GST. No minimums. Reprint guarantee on every order. Australian made in Melbourne.
Ready to print?
Order a single transfer, build a packed gang sheet, or design custom merch. All three are self-serve — no quote, no email back-and-forth.