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Patriot Print Fulfillment

DTF transfers guide

DTF (direct to film) transfers print your full-color art onto film with an adhesive powder. You press them onto shirts, hoodies, hats and bags with a heat press.

Gang sheet or pre-cut?

  • Gang sheet: you arrange your art on a 22 in wide sheet and pay by the sheet. Fit as many designs as you can and trim them apart yourself. Best value when you have lots of designs or sizes.
  • Pre-cut transfers: you upload each design with a width and quantity. We gang them, print them and cut each transfer apart. Best when you want them ready to press.

Transparent backgrounds

DTF prints everything in your file, including a white or colored background. If your art has a box around it, that box prints too. Use a PNG with a transparent background unless you want the box.

The builder and the pre-cut page warn you when a file has a solid background. You can still order it as is if that's what you want.

Resolution

Make your art at the size you want it printed, at 300 ppi. A 12 in wide design needs to be about 3600 pixels wide. We show the resolution of every design at its print size:

  • 250 ppi or more: good to go.
  • 150 to 249 ppi: a yellow warning. It may look a little soft.
  • Under 150 ppi: a red warning. It will likely look blurry or blocky. Make it smaller or upload a bigger file.

Warnings never stop you from ordering, but we can't reprint for low resolution.

Fine detail

  • Lines should be at least 1 pt thick, and text at least 6 pt, to hold up when pressed and washed.
  • Very thin outlines and tiny gaps between shapes can fill in. Give them a little room.
  • Leave about 1/4 in between designs on a gang sheet so you can cut them apart. Auto-arrange does this for you.

Pressing

Settings depend on your press and the garment. These are a good starting point. Test on a spare garment first.

  1. Pre-press the garment for 3 to 5 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.
  2. Place the transfer face up and press at about 300 to 320 F, medium pressure, for 10 to 15 seconds.
  3. Let it cool, then peel the film slowly.
  4. Cover with a parchment or Teflon sheet and press again for about 5 seconds to set it.

Wait 24 hours before the first wash. Wash inside out in cold or warm water and tumble dry low.

Turnaround

DTF ships in 1 business day once your files pass the check. Files that pass by 11 AM Central start that day. See Turnaround and shipping.