DTF Printers

How to Make Money with a DTF Transfer Printer in South Africa

Posted on by Allan Hobbs
dtf transfer printer
09
Jul

Start a Profitable Side Hustle or Full-Time Business from Home

If you’re looking for a smart, low-risk way to start a side hustle—or even build a full-blown business—then a DTF transfer printer might be exactly what you need.

You don’t need a shop.
You don’t need your own clothing line.
You don’t even need to press shirts yourself.

What you do need is a reliable, commercial-grade DTF transfer printer that turns artwork into profit—quickly, affordably, and with very little space or staff required.

At MaxLaser, we’ve helped people across South Africa launch profitable print businesses from home. And in our experience, one of the fastest-growing and most sustainable income ideas today is reselling DTF transfers.

Let’s break down how this works, how much money you can make, and why the MaxColor 40 or MaxColor 60 is the ideal machine for the job.

What Is a DTF Transfer Printer?

A DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfer printer prints custom designs directly onto a special PET film. Once printed, the film is coated with adhesive powder and cured using heat. This transfer is then ready to be pressed onto fabric using a heat press.

It’s one of the easiest ways to create full-color, high-quality, long-lasting designs on a wide range of garments—like T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, and more.

But here’s where the magic really happens:
You can sell the film itself to other businesses who do the pressing.

That’s where the profit potential begins.

Why Resell DTF Transfers Instead of Pressing Garments?

Not everyone with a heat press owns a DTF transfer printer. In fact, most small apparel brands, gift shops, and sports teams rely on someone else to supply them with high-quality printed film.

With a DTF printer like the MaxColor 40 or MaxColor 60, you become that supplier.

All they need from you is the printed film—they’ll handle the pressing on their own.

You print. You pack. You deliver.

No fabric. No stock. No size variations.
Just steady, profitable orders from repeat clients.

dtf transfer film

How Much Money Can You Make?

Let’s look at some real numbers:

  • Cost to print 1 meter of film (ink, powder, and film): R60 to R85

  • Resell price per meter: R145 to R200 or more

That’s nearly double your cost price—and sometimes even more, depending on design complexity.

Now let’s say:

  • You have 10 small business clients

  • Each orders 10 meters a week

  • That’s 100 meters of film weekly

Your weekly profit?
Anywhere from R6,000 to R14,000+, depending on your pricing.

And the best part?
You never pressed a single T-shirt.

This is a low-touch, high-profit business model that’s scalable from your home.

The DTF Transfer Printer – Your Business Partner

Not all DTF printers are created equal.

The MaxColor 40 (400mm wide) and MaxColor 60 (600mm wide) are commercial-grade printers built to handle daily production. They’re equipped with Epson I3200 printheads, known for speed, durability, and crisp image quality.

These are not budget printers with unreliable XP600 printheads. The I3200 can last 2 to 5 years with proper maintenance, giving you long-term reliability and performance.

Each DTF transfer printer setup from MaxLaser includes:

  • ✅ MaxColor printer (40cm or 60cm)

  • ✅ Automated powder shaker & curing oven

  • ✅ Smoke purifier for clean air

  • ✅ Set of MaxColor DTF inks (CMYK + White, 1L each)

  • ✅ DTF PET film roll (100m to get started)

  • ✅ Hot melt adhesive powder

  • ✅ Cleaning kit

And to make sure you’re supported:

  • 🧠 In-person training anywhere in South Africa

  • 🔧 Lifetime technical support

  • 📹 Video tutorials for printing and maintenance

  • 👥 Real-time WhatsApp support

  • 🛡 2-Year warranty (excluding printhead)

dtf transfer printer

Who Will Buy DTF Transfers from You?

You might wonder, “Will I find customers?”

Absolutely.

Here’s a short list of potential buyers for your DTF film:

  • New clothing brands launching on Instagram or TikTok

  • Small businesses using heat presses

  • Gift shops and souvenir vendors

  • Baby clothing companies

  • Schools, sports teams, and clubs

  • Facebook Marketplace resellers

  • Tattoo artists and designers adding merch to their services

Your job? Introduce your service.

A simple message like:

“Hi! Are you pressing T-shirts or hoodies? I can print your designs on DTF film—you just press it yourself. No printer needed.”

This instantly positions you as a valuable supplier.

Don’t Undersell Yourself—Build a Brand

A common mistake new DTF resellers make is undercharging to get quick orders.

But remember:
You’re offering premium-quality film using professional equipment.

The MaxColour 40 and 60 are investment-grade DTF printers—you’re not using a hobby machine. That means your pricing should reflect your value.

Build a reputation for:

  • Consistency

  • Fast turnaround

  • Accurate color matching

  • Excellent customer service

And you’ll gain loyal, returning clients—without racing to the bottom on price.

Two Income Streams, One Machine

The best part about owning a DTF transfer printer?
You’re not limited to just one business model.

You can:

  1. Resell DTF transfers to other heat press owners

  2. Create and press your own apparel or products

That means one printer can earn you income from multiple channels. You can sell:

  • Custom hoodies

  • Printed aprons

  • Baby onesies

  • Branded tote bags

  • Limited-edition merch drops

And because DTF transfers work on cotton, polyester, blends, and more—you have maximum flexibility.

Start with Confidence: MaxLaser Has Your Back

At MaxLaser, we do more than just sell you a printer.

We help you:

  • Understand the market

  • Master the printing process

  • Troubleshoot problems quickly

  • Stay competitive with new ideas and growth tips

You’re not alone—we’re your business partner.

We’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs launch income-generating side hustles with the MaxColour DTF transfer printer, and we can help you do the same.

Ready to Launch Your DTF Business?

If you’re ready to turn printed film into profit, we’re ready to help you start.

Book a live demonstration today or chat with one of our success specialists to learn more.
Visit www.maxlaser.co.za or get in touch now to order your DTF transfer printer and start your journey to profit.

The future of custom apparel, film reselling, and digital garment printing is here—and your new business is just one MaxColour printer away.

Allan Hobbs

Since 2004, I have been deeply involved in the printing and laser machine industry, starting with the launch of my first business that same year. This experience has afforded me extensive knowledge of both the capabilities of these machines and the user experience they deliver. In 2018, I established MaxLaser with a vision to import machinery into the industry, beginning with laser machines. Over time, we have broadened our offerings to include UV printers, DTF printers, heat press machines, and more. My immersion in both the use and distribution of this machinery has provided us with valuable insights into what users expect from their machines and, crucially, the kind of support and service they require when issues arise. I am committed to delivering the best value for money, maintaining an honest and respectful business relationship with our clients.