Designing for Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing
Make your designs crisp, clean, and production-ready for DTF—ideal for detailed, vibrant prints on any garment type with no order minimums.
Overview of DTF Printing
Direct-to-Film is a flexible print method that works on any fabric type, offering high color fidelity and durability with no minimums. Great for small runs, team gear, or fast product launches.
Artwork Resolution & Format
Use vector files or 300 DPI PNGs with transparency. Avoid JPGs or screen captures. SVG, AI, PSD, and PDF formats also supported. View full file prep guide.
Color Considerations
DTF uses CMYK printing with white underbase. Avoid neon, metallic, or transparent overlays. Use bold color contrast for best vibrancy.
Line Weight & Detail
Use lines no thinner than 0.5pt. Avoid distressed textures unless deliberate. Gradients are okay but may show banding if not high-res.
Transparency, Drop Shadows & Effects
Flatten all effects. Transparency does not print and will convert to solid. Drop shadows should be rasterized or avoided entirely.
Text Guidelines
Convert all text to outlines. Use fonts with good readability—minimum size 10pt. High contrast between text and background is key.
Print Area & Placement
Max print sizes are generally 11x11\" front and 11x14\" back. Use our templates or online designer for scale and alignment. Sleeve and chest prints also supported.
Best Practices for Online Designer
Upload PNGs, use real-time preview tools, and align elements using the built-in guides. Designer does not support .AI uploads—use PNG or SVG instead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading low-res JPGs
- Using transparency or shadows
- Fonts not outlined
- Text too small
- Artwork not centered or too large