Overview
Prints CMYK + white onto PET film, applies adhesive powder, and heat-presses transfers onto cotton and blends.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Best for
- 2D · apparel film
- Typical output
- T-shirts, Hoodies, Hats (with cap press)
- Typical cost
- Printer system $2,000–$15,000+
Excellent for
- Colorful cotton shirts★★★★★
- Hoodies and tote bags★★★★★
- Small runs without screen setup★★★★★
Compatible with
Pros & cons
Pros
- ✔Colorful cotton shirts
- ✔Hoodies and tote bags
- ✔Small runs without screen setup
Creator & maker guides
Equipment
- DTF printer + powder shaker/dryer
- Heat press
Materials
- DTF CMYK + white ink
- PET film
- Hot-melt adhesive powder
- Cotton/poly garments
Machine settings
No items yet.
Quality control
No items yet.
Best practices
- 1Provide PNG art with transparent background; makers add white underbase.
- 2Follow film vendor peel temperature exactly.
- 3Pre-press garments to remove moisture before transfer.
Common mistakes
Poor white opacity on dark garments
Poor white opacity on dark garments
Powder curing inconsistent (wash failure)
Powder curing inconsistent (wash failure)
Cracking after wash from under
cure or over
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Poor white opacity on dark garments | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Powder curing inconsistent (wash failure) | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
| Cracking after wash from under-cure or over-stretch | See guides below for context | Review creator/maker tabs and troubleshooting table |
Helpful tools
DPI & resolution calculator
SoonImage size calculator
SoonBleed generator
SoonAspect ratio calculator
SoonHeat press time & temperature
SoonSublimation wrap calculator
Soon