Printing tips & guides

How to press a DTF transfer

1. 1. Pre-press the garment for a few seconds to remove moisture and creases.
2. 2. Place the transfer print side down on the garment and position it straight.
3. 3. Press with firm, even pressure. Follow the temperature, time and pressure on your press guide for the garment you are using.
4. 4. Let it cool, then peel the film off slowly and evenly.
5. 5. Press again for a few seconds with baking paper over the print to lock it in and soften the finish.

Not sure of the settings for your press or fabric? Send us a message and we will talk you through it.

Preparing artwork that prints sharp

• Use PNG files with a transparent background — a JPG background will print as a block around your design.
• Aim for 300 DPI at the size you want printed. A small logo blown up to A3 will look soft.
• Avoid very thin lines and tiny text; they are hard to weed off the film and can lift in the wash.
• Our builder shows the exact width and height of every design in centimetres, so check them before you order.
• If your file has a background or is low quality, use the remove background and improve quality buttons in the builder.

Getting the most prints out of a gang sheet

• You pay for sheet length, so pack designs tightly and fill the gaps with small prints.
• Turn tall designs sideways where the artwork allows it — our size buttons rotate automatically to fit.
• Longer sheets cost less per metre, so combining orders with a friend or ordering ahead saves money.
• Leave a small gap between designs so they can be cut apart easily.

Washing printed garments

• Wait 24 hours after pressing before the first wash.
• Turn the garment inside out and wash cold on a gentle cycle.
• Do not use bleach or fabric softener on the print.
• Hang to dry rather than tumble drying, and never iron directly on the print.

Applying UV DTF stickers

• UV DTF is for hard surfaces — glass, tumblers, bottles, tins, plastic — not fabric.
• Clean and dry the surface first; any dust will show under the sticker.
• Apply from one edge, pressing firmly with a squeegee or card to avoid bubbles.
• Peel the top layer off slowly, and wait 24 hours before washing the item.