What Is a DTF Transfer? How It Works

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Short answer: A DTF (direct-to-film) transfer is a design printed in color and white ink onto a clear PET film, covered with hot-melt adhesive powder, then cured. The finished transfer is heat pressed onto a shirt, hat or bag, and the film is peeled away, leaving the print bonded to the fabric. DTF transfers work on cotton, polyester and blends, need no weeding, and can be printed today and pressed later. Buckets of Ink sells everything to make them in-house — CobraFlex DTF printers, film, ink, powder, shakers and heat presses.

What a DTF transfer is made of

Layer	What it does	Our product
PET film	Carries the print until it is pressed	CobraFlex 24" Hot Peel DTF Film (300 ft) · CobraFlex 13" Hot Peel DTF Film
Color + white DTF ink	Color image with a white base for dark garments	American-Made CobraFlex White DTF Ink 1L
Hot-melt powder	Glue that bonds the print to the fabric	CobraFlex DTF Hot-Melt Powder 1 kg

CobraFlex 24" Hot Peel DTF Film (300 ft)

$195.95

CobraFlex DTF Hot-Melt Powder 1 kg

$33.95

American-Made CobraFlex White DTF Ink 1L

$73.00

How a DTF transfer is made and applied

Print the design (mirrored) on DTF film — color first, white on top.
Coat the wet print with hot-melt powder and shake off the excess.
Cure the powder with a shaker/dryer or heat press.
Press the transfer onto the garment, then peel the film (hot or cold, depending on the film).

Step by step: how to make DTF transfers · settings: heat press for DTF printing · hot peel vs cold peel film.

Equipment for making DTF transfers

CobraFlex 13" 1-Head Mini DTF Printer + Shaker

$12,599

CobraFlex 24" 4-Head DTF Printer + Shaker

$31,995

CobraFlex 24" Powder Shaker Dryer

$5,500

CobraFlex Pneumatic Dual Heat Press

$3,500

Prices shown are from our product pages. Equipment is also available as a package — ask about discounts, starter packages and financing.

DTF transfers compared

DTF vs DTG — DTF needs no pretreatment and works on polyester.
DTF vs sublimation — sublimation needs light polyester; DTF prints on cotton and darks.
DTF vs HTV — DTF needs no cutting or weeding.
DTF vs screen printing — DTF suits short runs and full color.

More: DTF transfer size chart · how long DTF transfers last · how to wash DTF prints · what fabrics DTF works on · applying DTF to hats.

FAQ

What is a DTF transfer?

A design printed with DTF ink on PET film, coated with hot-melt powder and cured, ready to heat press onto a garment.

What does DTF stand for?

Direct-to-film — the design is printed directly onto a film instead of onto the garment.

What fabrics can DTF transfers go on?

Cotton, polyester, blends and many other fabrics, light or dark.

Do DTF transfers need weeding?

No. Only the printed design carries powder, so there is nothing to cut or weed.

How long do DTF transfers last?

Pressed correctly and washed inside out, a DTF print lasts many washes — see our guide to how long DTF transfers last.

Can I make DTF transfers myself?

Yes. You need a DTF printer, film, ink, powder, a way to cure the powder and a heat press — Buckets of Ink sells all of it.

Talk to the DTF team at Buckets of Ink — Tempe, Arizona. Ask about our discounts, starter packages and great financing — we'll help you get into your next machine. Demos and training at our showroom. Build a quote · Call (480) 229-7806 · 906 S Priest Dr, Suite 101, Tempe AZ 85281 (Mon–Fri 7:30–4:00).

Buying from Buckets of Ink: in-stock orders placed by 2:30 PM Arizona time ship the same day · free ground shipping on orders of $500+ (equipment excluded) · local pickup at our Tempe showroom · see our returns policy for opened supplies and equipment.

Related guides: DTF hub · How to make DTF transfers · DTF supplies · DTF printers