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CustomWear USA

DTF printing in Jacksonville

Full-color prints with no screens to set up, so detailed artwork and smaller orders make sense.

Every color in one pass

DTF printing, short for direct-to-film, prints your artwork onto a film that’s then heat-pressed onto the garment. There are no screens and no color separations, so a design with twelve colors costs the same to set up as a one-color logo.

That helps two kinds of jobs. Artwork with gradients, photos, shading or distressed texture prints in a single pass. And an order close to our 24-piece minimum doesn’t carry screen costs it has too few shirts to spread across.

DTF also works on cotton, polyester and blends, so one order can cover several kinds of garments.

Get a QuoteCall 833-477-6674

Two ways to order

Finished apparel, or transfers you press yourself

It's the same process either way. The difference is who does the pressing and how the order is quoted.

Retail

DTF-printed apparel

You order shirts and you get finished shirts. We supply the garments, apply the DTF transfers, count the order and have it ready for you, with the same proof and terms as any other order.

  • 24-piece minimum per design
  • Garments and pressing handled for you
  • A proof to approve before production
  • Pickup on Sunbeam Road by appointment, or shipping quoted to you
Quote finished apparel

Wholesale

DTF transfers, shipped to you

For print shops, brands and decorators with their own heat press. We supply DTF transfers made from your artwork and ship them, and you press them on your own garments on your own schedule. Nothing in the package carries our name.

  • Transfers only. You supply and press the garments
  • Made to your spec and shipped under your label
  • Quoted as contract work
  • Account set up before your first run
Contract printing

Best fit

When DTF is the right choice

DTF gives up the thick ink and low per-piece cost of screen printing. In exchange, color costs nothing extra.

  • Full-color artwork

    Photos, gradients, drop shadows and distressed textures print in one pass, with no added setup for extra colors.

  • Smaller orders

    Orders near the 24-piece minimum come out ahead, because there are no screens to make.

  • Several designs at once

    Different graphics in one order, or one logo across mixed garments and colors, without new setup for each version.

Printing thousands of a one- or two-color design? Screen printing will cost less, and we’ll tell you so.

Placements

Where your print can go

These are the spots customers ask for most. The exact print size is set on your proof to fit the garments you're ordering, and you approve it before anything is pressed.

  • Left chest

    The standard spot for a company logo on a tee, polo or work shirt. Clean and easy to read.

  • Full front

    The main design on an event tee, fundraiser shirt or spirit shirt. Full-color art has room to show here.

  • Full back

    Sponsor lists, rosters or a large graphic. Often paired with a left-chest print on the front.

  • Sleeve

    A small accent like a year, a number or a mark, usually added to a front or back print.

  • Names and numbers

    A different name or number on every piece. With no screens involved, personalizing each one adds no setup.

  • Bags and accessories

    Totes, drawstring bags and other flat items that press cleanly.

Turnaround

  • DTF orders take 5–7 business days from the day you approve your proof.
  • Rush orders are available for an added fee. We confirm the date against our schedule first.
  • Production starts once our office accepts the order and you approve the proof. New customers pay a 50% deposit first.
  • There's no payment on the website. Our office reviews your order and sends an invoice.

Sending your artwork

  • Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) are best, because they scale to any size cleanly.
  • Raster files should be 300 dpi at the size they'll print.
  • PNG files need a transparent background. A white box behind the logo prints as a white box.
  • Send the file at or near the finished print size, so nothing has to be enlarged.
  • If you're not sure what you have, send it anyway. Our graphic designer will tell you what works and rebuild what doesn't.

DTF printing questions

What is DTF printing?
DTF printing, short for direct-to-film, prints your design onto a film that's heat-pressed onto the garment. The film is printed digitally, coated with an adhesive powder and cured before pressing. There are no screens or color separations, so a full-color design costs the same to set up as a one-color logo.
Is DTF cheaper than screen printing?
It depends on the quantity and the number of colors. DTF has very little setup, so it comes out ahead on smaller orders and multi-color art. Screen printing costs more to set up but less per piece, so it pulls ahead on larger runs. When a job is close, we'll quote both and tell you which costs less.
Does DTF have a minimum order?
Yes, 24 pieces per design, the same as every other method we offer. Even without screens, each order needs art prep, file setup and press time. If you need fewer than 24, call 833-477-6674 and we'll tell you whether we can help.
How does a DTF print feel, and how do I care for it?
A DTF print is a thin, flexible layer on the surface of the fabric. You can feel it, but it's softer than a heavy screen print. Wash the garment inside out and skip high heat in the dryer, the same care that keeps any printed shirt looking good longer.
What fabrics can you DTF print on?
Cotton, polyester, blends and most tri-blends all take DTF well. The real limit is shape, not fabric. The print area has to lie flat enough to press cleanly, so thick seams, pockets and hardware get in the way.
Can I buy DTF transfers to press myself?
Yes. We supply DTF transfers made from your artwork and ship them, and you press them on your own equipment. Transfer orders are handled as contract work and quoted separately, so start with our contract printing page.
What file should I send for a DTF print?
Send vector art if you have it, or a 300 dpi file at the size it will print. A transparent background matters most, because a PNG with a white box behind the logo prints the box too. A sketch or a photo of an old shirt is fine to start with, and you'll approve a proof before anything is pressed.

Compare DTF with our other printing methods.

Request a DTF quote

Send your artwork, the quantity and the garment you have in mind. The minimum is 24 pieces, and you'll approve a proof before anything is pressed.

Get a QuoteCall 833-477-6674