DTF printing in Calgary.
Direct-to-film is how every Lifted Press order is printed. Here is what it is, what it's good at, and when it is the right choice for your project.
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01 · The process
How DTF works.
Four stages, each checked before the next.
Print to film
Your artwork is printed in full colour, with a white base layer, onto a special PET film.
Adhesive powder
A fine hot-melt adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink and cured.
Heat press
The transfer is pressed onto the garment at a set temperature, pressure and time.
Peel & finish
The film is peeled away and the print is pressed again to set it into the fabric.
02 · Compared
DTF vs screen printing.
Both are good methods. They suit different jobs.
| DTF | Screen printing | |
|---|---|---|
| Colours | Unlimited, including gradients and photos, at no extra cost | Priced per colour; each colour needs its own screen |
| Small runs | Practical from small quantities, since there are no screens to set up | Setup costs make small runs expensive |
| Very large runs | Consistent, but cost per piece drops less steeply | Often cheapest per piece on large single-design runs |
| Fabrics | Cotton, polyester, blends, light and dark garments | Best on cotton; specialty inks for synthetics |
| Feel | Smooth, thin print layer that sits on the fabric | Varies by ink; plastisol is thicker, water-based softer |
03 · Good fit
When DTF makes sense.
- Full-colour artwork, photos or gradients
- Small and mid-sized orders, or mixed garments in one order
- Dark garments with bright colours
- Polyester and blended fabrics, such as athletic shirts
- Names and numbers that change on every shirt
Not sure? Describe the project in your quote request. If another method would serve you better, we will tell you.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us what you need. We reply with pricing, garment options and a proof.