DTF Transfer: Full-Colour Printing on Textiles with No Minimum Order

DTF (Direct to Film) transfer is full-colour printing onto a film, which is then applied to textiles using a heat press — it works on cotton, polyester and blended fabrics alike, and can be made from as little as 1 piece. In Riga, indicative pricing starts from around 4-6 EUR for one A5-size transfer on a single T-shirt (excl. VAT); for larger quantities from 50 pieces, the price per unit drops to roughly 3-4 EUR. The standard production time is 5-10 business days after artwork approval, with urgent jobs available by arrangement.

What is DTF and how does it work

In the DTF process, the design is first printed onto a special PET film using CMYK inks with a white base layer. Hot-melt adhesive powder is applied to the fresh ink, melted, and the resulting "sticker-like" image is transferred onto the fabric using a heat press at approximately 150-160°C for 10-15 seconds.

The key difference from screen printing: there's no need for separate screens for each colour. This means a photograph, a gradient or a 12-colour logo costs the same as a single colour — you pay for the printed area, not the number of colours.

Which materials it works on

• 100% cotton — best results, soft feel
• Polyester and sportswear fabrics — DTF works well where sublimation isn't suitable on dark colours
• Cotton/polyester blends (50/50, 65/35)
• Tote bags, aprons, caps with a flat surface, towel labels

Exceptions: water-repellent and silicone-coated fabrics, very thick fleece and some umbrella materials — embroidery or other methods work better there.

When to choose DTF over screen printing or embroidery

In practice, this means: for 10 event T-shirts with a colourful design, choose DTF; for a 300-piece T-shirt run with a two-colour logo, choose screen printing; for corporate polo shirts and jackets, choose embroidery.

Indicative prices

Below are indicative prices for the print only (excl. VAT, excl. garment). The exact price depends on the print area, number of positions and total quantity.

If you need printing in two positions (front and back, or on the sleeve), the second position usually costs 30-50% less than the first, since the design is printed on a single film sheet.

You can supply your own garments or choose from our catalogue — T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets, tote bags. A catalogue T-shirt with a DTF transfer in a run of 25 pieces typically works out to approximately 12-16 EUR per piece.

File requirements

To make sure the print turns out as intended, files need to be prepared correctly:

• Vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf) — the best option for logos and text
• Raster images: PNG with a transparent background, at least 300 dpi at actual print size
• Colour space CMYK; bright neon and fluorescent shades appear slightly more muted in DTF printing than on screen
• Minimum line thickness approximately 0.8 mm — thinner lines may not hold up
• White in the design is printed using white ink, so on a light-coloured fabric it will show up as white rather than the fabric's own tone

If you don't have a file, or only a low-resolution one, we can redraw your logo in vector format — typically 20-40 EUR depending on complexity.

Turnaround and process

Standard process: we agree on the design and sizes, send a quote, receive artwork approval, then produce the order. Total turnaround is 5-10 business days after artwork approval, if the garment is already available or supplied by you; if the garment needs to be ordered from the catalogue, add a further 3-5 business days.

For urgent jobs — for example, team T-shirts for a weekend tournament — we can sometimes produce faster if the size and quantity allow. This is agreed in advance, before the order is confirmed.

Care instructions for your customers

Wash inside-out at 30-40°C, without bleach, and avoid ironing directly on the print. Cared for this way, a DTF transfer withstands 30-50 washes without cracking.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order a DTF transfer on a single T-shirt?

Yes. DTF has no screen-making costs, so we also work with just 1 piece. A single A4-size design on your T-shirt costs from approximately 8 EUR excl. VAT.

How durable is a DTF transfer?

With proper care — 30-50 washes at 30-40°C. For comparison, screen printing with plastisol inks lasts slightly longer, but DTF outperforms it in terms of detail and number of colours.

Is DTF suitable for dark-coloured fabrics?

Yes. A white base is printed underneath the coloured layer, so the design stays vibrant on black or navy fabric. Sublimation doesn't work on dark fabrics — DTF does.

What file format should I send?

Vector (.ai, .eps, .pdf) is preferred, or PNG with a transparent background at a minimum of 300 dpi at actual size. Email info@attaprint.lv and we'll check the file before quoting.

What's the maximum print size?

The maximum print area per piece is approximately A3 (29x42 cm) — enough for a full back print on an adult-size T-shirt. For larger areas, we split the design or suggest an alternative solution.

Can I combine DTF with other services in one order?

Yes, that's quite common: T-shirts with DTF, stickers and a roll-up banner for the same event. We produce everything in one order, so colours can be matched across items.

Send us your design, garment type and quantity at info@attaprint.lv or WhatsApp +371 25776699 — we'll prepare a quote within one business day. For questions about timelines, call project manager Madara.