DTF printing in South West Sydney
DTF printing: full colour, fine detail, printed in house
DTF (direct to film) printing lets South West Apparel put a full-colour design, including gradients, fine lines and photographic detail, onto tees, hoodies, singlets and workwear. The design is printed onto film, bonded with adhesive powder and heat-pressed onto the garment in our South West Sydney workshop.
Pictured: BT Towing, tees, hoodies and caps with the bt towing logo and sleeve lettering
What it is
How dtf printing works
DTF stands for direct to film. Your artwork is printed in full colour onto a clear transfer film with a white under-base, so the colours sit bright on dark garments as well as light ones. A hot-melt adhesive powder is bonded to the wet ink, cured, and the finished transfer is heat-pressed onto the garment.
Because the design is printed rather than stitched, there is no limit on colours and no per-colour setup. Gradients, photographs, thin outlines, small text and large back prints all come out exactly as drawn.
The result is a thin, flexible print that stretches with the fabric and feels soft on cotton, polyester and blends. It is the method we reach for on tees, hoodies, singlets and hi-vis, and for any logo that embroidery would simplify too far.
Best for
Garments and logos that suit dtf printing
Tees and singlets
Front, back and sleeve prints on cotton and poly tees. The soft finish suits lightweight fabrics that embroidery can pucker.
Hoodies and crews
Large full-colour back prints and chest logos on fleece.
Hi-vis shirts and vests
Company names, logos and phone numbers printed large and legible across the back.
Polyester sportswear
DTF bonds to synthetic fabrics that are hard to decorate any other way.
Kids sizes and one-offs
No setup per colour, so a single tee or a mixed kids run costs no extra effort.
Logos that suit it
Gradients, photos, fine lines, small text, multi-colour artwork and very large designs.
Placements
Where the logo goes
- Left chest
- The uniform standard, palm-sized over the heart.
- Full front
- Large artwork across the whole chest.
- Full back
- Business name, logo, phone number and website where they read from a distance.
- Back yoke
- A smaller mark below the collar when the full back is left clear.
- Sleeve
- Lettering down the sleeve, as on tow truck and trade crew gear.
- Hem and pocket
- Small secondary marks for merch and streetwear.
Ink and colour and care
Ink and colour
Matching your brand
- DTF prints in full colour from your artwork, so brand colours come out as supplied. Send artwork in CMYK or with Pantone references for the closest match.
- A white under-base is printed automatically, which is why colours stay bright on black, navy and hi-vis fabrics.
- Artwork should be supplied at the size it will print, in high resolution or as a vector, with a transparent background where the garment should show through.
- Hairline details and very light tints can drop out on textured fabric. We check every file and tell you before printing.
Care
Keeping it looking new
- Give the garments a day after they arrive before the first wash.
- Wash inside out in cold water. Do not bleach and do not use fabric softener.
- Tumble dry low or line dry out of direct sun.
- Do not iron directly on the print. If you must iron, turn the garment inside out.
Gallery
DTF printed work for South West Sydney businesses
- BT TowingTees, hoodies, caps and sleeve lettering
Panda Excavation GroupHoodies and tees, chest and full back
EcoFumHi-vis vests and shirts, full back
Carmelo Sant GroupHi-vis polos and hoodie
Sydney Spark ServicesPolos, jacket and tees
Headz Up Barbershop RedfernBarber jackets, chest and back
Empire Coffee LoungeStaff tee, full back
Kato WorksEvent uniform
Embroidery vs DTF
Which should I choose?
Both are done in house, and many uniform orders use both. The short version: embroidery for polos, caps and jackets; DTF for full-colour artwork, tees and big back prints.
| Factor | Embroidery | DTF printing (this page) |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Raised, textured thread. Reads as premium and established. | Smooth, thin print with a soft hand feel. |
| Colours | Solid thread colours matched to your brand; no gradients. | Unlimited colours, gradients and photographic detail. |
| Fine detail and small text | Simplified; very small text loses definition. | Sharp down to hairlines and small type. |
| Best garments | Polos, caps, beanies, jackets, hoodies, aprons, hi-vis chest logos. | Tees, singlets, hoodies, hi-vis backs, polyester sportswear. |
| Large designs | Possible on thick fabric, but heavy and costly for big back designs. | Ideal for full-front and full-back prints. |
| Durability | Outlasts the garment when washed inside out. | Lasts the life of the garment with cold inside-out washing. |
| Small runs and one-offs | Welcome; your logo is digitised once and reused. | Welcome; no per-colour setup. |
| Our recommendation | Uniform polos, caps and jackets, or any logo a customer sees up close. | Full-colour artwork, tees and merch, large back prints, kids sizes. |
What is DTF printing?
DTF stands for direct to film. South West Apparel prints your design onto a special film, applies adhesive powder, then heat-presses it onto the garment. It gives full-colour, detailed prints on a wide range of fabrics.
Is DTF printing good for small quantities?
Yes. DTF has no per-colour setup, so South West Apparel can print single items and short runs as easily as a full team order. Ask us for a quote on any quantity.
Which garments can be DTF printed?
Tees, hoodies, singlets, shorts, polos, hi-vis and workwear in cotton, polyester or blends, on light or dark fabric. South West Apparel prints in house in South West Sydney.
How durable is a DTF print?
A DTF print is bonded into the fabric with a heat-cured adhesive and stretches with the garment, so it does not crack or peel in normal wear. Washed inside out in cold water without bleach or softener, it lasts the life of a work tee.
Does DTF work on dark and hi-vis garments?
Yes. Every DTF transfer carries a white under-base, so colours print bright and accurate on black, navy, orange and yellow hi-vis fabrics as well as on white and light colours.
Should I choose DTF or embroidery for my logo?
Choose DTF when the design is full colour, photographic, very detailed or large, or when the garment is a lightweight tee or singlet. Choose embroidery for polos, caps, jackets and a premium, textured finish. South West Apparel does both in house and will recommend one when you send your artwork.
Free quotes
Ready to print your design?
Send us the artwork, the garments and the quantities by size. We check the file, send a proof and quote, and confirm the turnaround.