DTF, or direct-to-film, printing is our main method for T-shirt orders between 10 and 999 shirts. Your design is printed in full colour onto a special film, coated with an adhesive powder, cured and then heat-pressed onto the garment. The result is a bright, flexible print that handles photos, gradients, fine lines and any number of colours without extra cost per colour.
Use the calculator on this page to choose your shirt weight, print positions, print sizes and quantity, and see the instant price excl. VAT. Upload your artwork or tick "design it for me", then add to cart and pay by card or instant EFT via PayFast or Yoco. Need paperwork first? Request a formal quote and accept it online.
Why choose DTF
DTF fills the gap between small custom jobs and large screen-printed runs.
- Full colour, photos and gradients at no extra cost per colour
- Works on cotton and many blends, on light and dark garments
- Sharp detail and smooth edges with no visible box around the design
- Practical from 10 shirts, with consistent results up to 999
- Part of our same-day service on stock garments
Print positions and sizes
Print on the front, back, left chest and sleeves, in sizes from A6 to A2. A left-chest logo is usually around A6, a standard front print around A4, and a full back print up to A3 or A2. There is a set-up fee per print position, and the calculator includes it in your price. Choose cotton tees in 160, 180, 250 or 300gsm.
DTF versus other methods
For 1 000 shirts or more, screen printing is usually more economical and is quoted on your design. For all-over designs on polyester sportswear, sublimation is the better fit and is quoted. For simple names and numbers, heat transfer vinyl works well. If you're unsure, start with the calculator on T-shirt printing.
Same-day DTF
DTF on stock garments is part of our same-day service. Cleared payment and approved, press-ready artwork must reach us by 09:00 on a business day, and same-day orders are collected at our Rivonia store. It's a priority attempt, not a guarantee. See same-day T-shirts.
Artwork and care
Send PDF, AI, EPS, SVG or a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background. You'll receive a digital proof before production. To keep prints looking good, wash inside out in cool water and don't iron directly on the print. See our artwork guidelines.
Common questions
How long do DTF prints last?
A properly pressed DTF print stays flexible and resists cracking through many washes. Turn the shirt inside out, wash in cool water and avoid high-heat tumble drying or ironing on the print to get the longest life.
Does DTF work on dark shirts?
Yes. DTF prints include a white base layer, so colours stay bright on black, navy and other dark garments. That's one of the main reasons it suits short and medium runs so well.
What's the minimum for DTF printing?
Our minimum T-shirt order is 10 shirts, and DTF covers orders from 10 to 999 shirts. From 1 000 shirts, we move to screen printing, which we quote on your design.
What resolution should my artwork be?
Vector files are ideal. For PNG or JPG, use a high-resolution image at the size you want printed. A transparent background avoids a box around your design. If you're unsure, tick "design it for me".