DTF transfers for full-color crew shirts
When the logo has six colors and a gradient, or the run is 20 shirts across four styles, screen print stops making sense. DTF (direct-to-film) transfers put a full-color logo on cotton, blends and polyester with no screens. Battle Born Clothing has the transfers made by DTF Tribe in Carson City, NV and presses them in our own shop.
When DTF beats screen print
- Full-color or photographic logos
- Runs under 48 pieces
- Mixed garments in one order (tees, polos and a few jackets with one logo)
- Names and numbers that change per shirt
When screen print still wins
One or two colors on 48 or more shirts. The per-piece rate is lower and the hand is lighter. See screen print vs embroidery for crews for how the three methods compare on a jobsite.
Durability
A properly pressed DTF transfer survives 50+ washes. It is a film layer on the fabric, so it has more hand than a water-based print and less than a thick plastisol. We press at the correct temperature and dwell in-house on commercial presses; the main site has our press settings guide.
Pricing
DTF is quoted per job based on logo size and quantity. No screens, no digitizing. Send the artwork and the count.
Questions
Do you print DTF in-house?
No. The transfers are made by DTF Tribe in Carson City, NV. We press them in-house.
Does DTF work on hi-vis?
Yes on polyester hi-vis, placed clear of the reflective tape. Quoted per job with the garment.