What Is DTF Printing?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a process where full-colour designs are printed onto PET transfer film, covered with adhesive powder, cured, then heat-pressed onto suitable.

Learn More View DTF Printers

How Does DTF Printing Work?

DTF printing uses a digital workflow to turn artwork into a ready-to-press transfer for clothing and other suitable fabric products. Unlike direct-to-garment printing, the printer does not print directly onto the garment.

Tablet and stylus used to create a colourful transfer design

1. Create Your Design

Prepare the artwork digitally using suitable design software. DTF printing can reproduce full-colour graphics, logos, text, detailed artwork and photographic designs.

Direct-to-film printer feeding a colourful transfer film sheet

2. Print Onto DTF Transfer Film

Print the design onto specialised PET transfer film using DTF inks. The printer produces the colour image followed by a white ink layer that creates the base needed for vibrant results on light and dark garments.

Adhesive powder being applied to a DTF transfer sheet

3. Apply DTF Adhesive Powder

While the ink is still wet, apply specialised hot-melt adhesive powder to the printed area. The powder bonds to the ink and allows the finished transfer to adhere to fabric.

DTF transfer film entering a compact curing oven

4. Cure the Transfer

Heat the printed film and adhesive powder to cure the transfer. Commercial DTF systems can automate this with a powder shaker and curing unit, allowing the printed film to move continuously from printing through curing.

Heat press applying a colourful DTF transfer to fabric

5. Heat Press the Design

Position the cured DTF transfer on the garment and apply it with a heat press. The correct temperature, pressure and pressing time help create a strong bond between the transfer and the fabric.

Finished colourful transfer revealed on fabric beside carrier film

6. Peel and Finish

Remove the PET film using the recommended peeling method. Depending on the transfer and application, a final press may improve the finish and durability.

The result is a full-colour garment print without screens or the cutting and weeding required for individual vinyl designs.

Black T-shirts, black hoodie and canvas tote bag with colourful custom DTF prints, displayed alongside transfer film sheets.
Pro Tip

PRO TIP

Build gang sheets around your actual orders so that you’re using as much of the printable film width as possible.

What Do You Need for DTF Printing?

A complete DTF setup involves more than the printer. To produce a finished garment, you need DTF inks, transfer film, DTF powder, a curing process and a heat press working together. The exact equipment depends on whether you choose a compact DTF system or a commercial roll-fed printer.

Pro Tip

PRO TIP

Run a nozzle check before an important production job rather than discovering a print problem halfway through a roll.

The printer creates the full-colour design and white ink layer on specialised transfer film. MaxLaser offers the compact xTool Apparel Printer and commercial MaxColour 40 and MaxColour 60 roll-fed DTF printers.

DTF printers use specialised CMYK and white inks. CMYK inks create the colour artwork, while white ink provides the underbase needed for vibrant transfers on light and dark garments.

The design is printed onto specialised PET DTF transfer film rather than directly onto the garment. The film carries the print through powdering and curing before the transfer is heat-pressed onto the garment.

Hot-melt DTF powder is applied to wet ink on the transfer film. It adheres to the printed areas and creates the adhesive layer that bonds the design to fabric during heat pressing.

Commercial DTF systems such as the MaxColour 40 and MaxColour 60 work with an automated powder shaker and curing system. As printed film enters the shaker, powder is applied to the wet print; excess powder is shaken off and recovered before the remaining powder is cured onto the printed design.

This creates a continuous roll-fed workflow. Compact systems can use a different powdering and curing workflow depending on their configuration.

A heat press is essential to the DTF process. Once a transfer has been printed, powdered and cured, the press applies controlled heat and pressure to transfer the design to the garment. Correct temperature, pressing time and pressure help create a consistent, durable finished print.

Explore MaxLaser heat press machines. For higher-volume garment pressing, see the Shirt Heat Press Machine MAX-HSS Double Location; for a versatile multi-application setup, see the 16 in 1 Heat Press MAX-HSD330.

Artwork is created in suitable design software, while RIP software manages printing functions such as colour output and the white ink layer required for DTF production.

MaxColour DTF printer with CMYK and white DTF inks, adhesive powder and transfer film for garment printing.

For commercial production, choosing equipment that works efficiently together is as important as choosing the DTF printer. MaxLaser can help businesses put together a DTF setup based on the products they want to produce and expected production requirements.

Find The Right DTF Printer 

The right DTF printer depends on more than print size. Consider how many transfers you expect to produce, the orders you want to accept, available workspace and how quickly demand may grow. 

xTool Apparel Plus Printer

xTool Apparel Printer Plus

R195,500.00 Inc Vat

A compact desktop DTF printer designed for professional clothing and small business production. Create vibrant, full-colour transfers for T-shirts, hoodies, sportswear and custom apparel. Ideal for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a garment printing business with a convenient, easy-to-use printing system.

Best for
  • Small Business Clothing Branding
  • Custom Apparel & Personalisation Projects
Product features
  • Compact Desktop DTF Printing
  • Automated Powder Shaking & Curing
  • Print Technology: Direct-to-Film
  • Print Width: 356 mm wide
  • Printhead: Epson i1600
  • Print Speed: 3-5m²/h
  • Ink Configuration: CMYK-W
  • Printing System: Sheet-Fed DTF
  • Powder & Curing System: Automatic Shaker & Oven

Finance from R4,681 /month

60 months R35,000 down payment

Watch video View machine
Front view of a MaxColour DTF printer with integrated film feed system, control panel, and emergency stop buttons.

MaxColour 40 DTF Printer

R225,200.00 Inc Vat

A professional 400 mm DTF printer designed for clothing branding and commercial garment printing. Ideal for producing vibrant, full-colour transfers for T-shirts, hoodies, workwear and promotional apparel. Perfect for businesses looking to produce custom clothing or supply DTF transfers to other garment decorators.

Best for
  • Clothing Branding Business
  • Commercial DTF Transfer Production
Product features
  • 400 mm Roll-to-Roll Printing
  • Automated Powder Shaker & Curing
  • Print Technology: Direct-to-Film
  • Print Width: 400 mm wide
  • Printhead: Epson i3200
  • Print Speed: 3-5m²/h
  • Ink Configuration: CMYK-W
  • Printing System: Roll-to-Roll
  • Powder & Curing System: Automatic Shaker & Oven

Finance from R5,019 /month

72 months R35,000 down payment

Watch video View machine
Front view of a MaxColour DTF printer with integrated film feed system, control panel, and emergency stop buttons.

MaxColour 60 DTF Printer

R280,200.00 Inc Vat

A professional 600 mm DTF printer designed for high-volume clothing branding and commercial transfer production. Ideal for printing vibrant, full-colour designs for T-shirts, hoodies, sportswear and workwear. Perfect for established printing businesses producing custom apparel or supplying DTF transfers to resellers.

Best for
  • High-Volume Clothing Branding
  • Commercial DTF Transfer Production
Product features
  • 600 mm Roll-to-Roll Printing
  • Automated Powder Shaker & Curing
  • Print Technology: Direct-to-Film
  • Print Width: 600 mm wide
  • Printhead: Epson i3200
  • Print Speed: 6-8m²/h
  • Ink Configuration: CMYK-W
  • Printing System: Roll-to-Roll
  • Powder & Curing System: Automatic Shaker & Oven

Finance from R6,471 /month

72 months R35,000 down payment

Watch video View machine

Dual-station heat press shown alongside examples of custom printed products, including clothing, mugs, tumblers, phone cases, bags, notebooks, puzzles and home décor.

Heat Press Machines — Finish Every DTF Transfer

Best for: Applying DTF transfers and producing customised garments and products.

MaxLaser offers a range of heat press machines for different production needs, from single-station and double-station garment presses to versatile 16-in-1 systems. Whether you’re producing T-shirts, workwear, promotional products or other customised items, choose a heat press that matches your application and production volume.

From R7700 Inc VAT

Explore all MaxLaser heat press machines

T-SHIRT HEAT PRESS MACHINES

Ready to Start or Grow Your DTF Printing Business?

Whether you are considering the compact xTool Apparel Printer, stepping up to the MaxColour 40, or need the capacity of the MaxColour 60, MaxLaser can help you compare the options against what you want to print and your expected production volume.

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