“Direct-to-film transfers have been a game changer in the garment decorating industry,” says Lisa Kadz, apparel consultant for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More. “It’s one of the greatest tools to expand a shop’s business.”

However, while adding DTF transfer services can open new business opportunities for screen-printing shops, it comes with challenges. We answer the seven most common questions we hear about getting your shop set up to offer DTF to clients.

What are some initial considerations when starting with DTF?

“The biggest challenge print shops encounter is their perception of heat transfers,” says “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers. “Many shops and printing veterans alike have an outdated idea of the quality and durability of heat transfers, and for good reason. That said, the industry has come a long way.”

DTF transfers are completely different from the transfers of the past, so the best way to address that perception is to touch, feel, and wear the product yourself. “We’ve had countless printers come to our sales team skeptical, but the apprehension disappears once they test and feel our samples,” Ninja Mike says. “The same goes for their customers.”  

When you get started, a learning curve is associated with the printing equipment (if you’re producing transfers in-house) and materials, including printers, transfer films, and adhesive powders. Shops can invest in staff training, including workshops and test runs, to minimize errors.

By investing in higher-quality equipment and regular maintenance to keep everything running smoothly, you can avoid heat press and curing problems, like uneven pressure or heat spots. Shops must also adapt their workflow and space to accommodate the extra steps involved in DTF printing, such as powder application and curing. This may require reorganizing workstations and investing in compact, multifunctional equipment to optimize space.

“An organized pressing station is the key to success for a business just starting with DTF. Printers can maximize profitability using minimal square footage on the production floor.”
- “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers

Q. When do I use DTF vs. screen printing for specific projects?

Choosing between DTF transfers and screen printing depends on project-specific needs, considering design complexity, order volume, and your client’s expectations. DTF transfers are great for intricate, full-color designs that include photo-quality images and gradients, eliminating the need for multiple screens.  

DTF is also ideal for smaller runs or projects requiring rapid production without sacrificing detail. Screen printing is more cost-effective for simple, high-volume orders, as the per-item cost drops once you’ve set up the screens. As a rule of thumb, 99% of the time, Burwell uses DTF for three or more colors. For one- and two-color jobs over 24 pieces, he screen prints, and for jobs under 24 pieces, he uses DTF.

“The main two deciding factors are the number of colors in the design and the total quantity of the order. There are jobs that screen printing just can’t achieve, like full-color photographs and designs with super fine details. Shorter runs with high color count would not only be a pain to screen print, but it may not make sense financially for the printer or the customer."
- “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers

Additionally, DTF prints on a wide variety of fabrics, such as polyester and synthetic blends, making it a preferred option for specialty garments that demand consistent print quality across different material types. Budget considerations further influence the choice between DTF and screen printing. “Another situation where DTF shines is when there’s a mix of youth and adult sizes, which enables you to burn one set of screens for the adult sizes only and use DTF for the youth apparel,” Ninja Mike says.

Q. How can I train my sales staff to know when to suggest DTF to clients?

Training your sales team to confidently recommend direct-to-film (DTF) transfers starts with thoroughly understanding its unique benefits. Educate them on the key advantages, such as the ability to produce vibrant, full-color prints without needing multiple screens, compatibility with various fabric types, and cost-effectiveness for small or custom orders. When your sales team knows the strengths of DTF, they can better assess client needs and suggest it when suitable, positioning your shop as a versatile service provider.

“The best tip for training a sales team about DTF is reminding them of the three key factors that guide the decorating technique – price, quality, and time. Each decorating technique has its benefits, but DTF is the best way to go when customers want good quality apparel with a quick turnaround at an affordable price."
‍- Lisa Kadz, apparel consultant for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Use case scenarios – examples should play a role in training. Present your sales team with real-life situations where DTF excels, such as small-run orders, intricate multi-color designs, or prints on synthetic fabrics like polyester. For instance, sportswear clients seeking high-quality prints on performance fabrics are prime candidates for DTF. Equipping your salespeople with such examples helps them identify similar opportunities and recommend DTF when it can deliver superior results compared to traditional methods.

“Even though there are plenty of scenarios where DTF is the clear-cut best option, there are situations where it could work either way,” Ninja Mike says. “Even if the cost difference between screen printing and DTF is negligible, production time can be a key factor when suggesting print options.” For example, if you have a 400-shirt order to fulfill with four colors, that’s 2,000 impressions with screen printing, including the under base. “With DTF, that’s cut down by more than half to 800 presses, including our recommended second press,” Ninja Mike says.

"Fabric choice can play a part in decision-making. Screen printing on polyester, while doable, can be much trickier. DTF removes doubt from the production process and still provides a high-quality product on various fabrications."
- “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers

Train your sales team also to recognize situations like one-off items, limited-edition products, or urgent orders where DTF is more efficient and cost-effective. This knowledge empowers your team to confidently propose DTF as an optimal solution that meets client expectations and boosts your shop's offerings. New customers aren’t concerned when Burwell’s staff tells them they’re using DTF for a particular job. “Most clients want good-quality printed shirts, and that’s what we provide,” he says.

Q. How many heat presses should I use when setting up DTF?

The first factor to consider is your expected order volume and production capacity. For smaller shops starting with DTF, one or two heat presses may suffice, but as your order volume grows, investing in additional presses can help manage larger or high-demand projects and prevent delays. Assessing how many transfers can be completed per hour about your typical daily or weekly workload will guide your decision.

“Shops new to DTF have great success starting with one quality heat press,” Ninja Mike says. “That one press takes up minimal space, and one person can produce hundreds of shirts in one day.”

Turnaround time and the variety of projects you get are also considerations. Multiple presses can be a game-changer to avoid bottlenecks and meet tight deadlines, especially for time-sensitive or simultaneous orders. A range of heat presses with different platen sizes can help accommodate various projects, from bulk orders to specialized items like hats or bags.

“Rather than investing in multiple presses, a double-platen press can cut production time down while saving on space and labor costs,” Ninja Mike says.

Finally, think about your workforce, workflow efficiency, and future growth. The number of presses should align with your team size and ability to work efficiently. Larger teams may require more presses to stay productive, while smaller operations might start with a single press as they grow into the process. Burwell’s shop has a dual-air press and three clam-shell, swing-away presses. “The dual air is an excellent addition if you’re pressing 1,000 pieces a week, for the time you’ll save but also the fact that it’s easier on your shoulders and arms,” he says.

Q. Is it better to order precut transfers or gang sheets?

Choosing between pre-cut transfers and gang sheets depends on your project type, order volume, and workflow. Gang sheets are cost-effective for high-volume orders with similar designs, as multiple transfers are printed on a single sheet, minimizing material waste. They can require more time for cutting but are ideal for large, standardized batches.

On the other hand, pre-cut transfers offer greater flexibility for smaller, custom orders. They're quicker to apply and perfect for small, varied designs or projects with tight turnaround times. If your shop gets large orders, gang sheets can be more efficient overall, provided the extra cutting time doesn’t impact delivery schedules.

“If you have high-resolution, print-ready artwork, gang sheets are almost always the way to go. They take a little more effort on the printer side to put together but offer better bulk prices, even for shorter runs. For printers who need to start pressing right away, pre-cut transfers save time on cutting and ensure production-ready artwork.”
- “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers

Finally, consider design variety and client expectations. Pre-cut transfers excel at handling different design sizes and offering fast customization. Gang sheets are best for repeated designs and bulk orders.

“Gang sheets are more cost-effective for getting more prints at a lower price. But remember to factor in the time to cut them up later. Time is money — don’t save a few cents on gang sheets only to spend it on labor.”
‍- Lisa Kadz, apparel consultant for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Printing DTF transfers in-house has pros and cons. “It saves on outsourcing costs and wait times,” Kadz adds, “but it takes up valuable production space and time, which might be needed for other projects. Assess your production schedule before deciding whether to print in-house or outsource.”

Q. How can I stay profitable when I add DTF transfers?

Scaling up DTF transfer services requires careful pricing strategies to stay profitable and competitive.

“When it comes to pricing out a DTF job, print shops should consider the price of the garment, the cost per transfer, and the man hours needed to complete the job. Of course, if your customer needs a rush job, a rush fee is reasonable to tack onto the final cost, which comes down to the deadline for the job," Ninja Mike says. To become profitable, you must focus on learning, creating, and refining your standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“Once you establish a system and recognize the time savings compared to screen printing, you can adjust your pricing to achieve your desired profit.”
- Keith Burwell, owner of Precision1 Koncepts

He emphasizes that he didn’t lower prices just because he could complete a six-color job faster with DTF—there were no screens to set up or reclaim, saving time and effort. Labor and workflow efficiency plays a big part in pricing, too. While DTF printing automates some steps, manual tasks are still involved, like preparing and applying transfers. Streamlining these processes and investing in automation tools can save time, boost output, and help control labor costs. This improved efficiency should be factored into your pricing to keep your business profitable.

Offering a tiered pricing model for bulk orders is also a great way to encourage larger purchases while keeping margins in check and balancing the time, materials, and labor involved in high-volume projects.

Q. How will DTF transfers impact my shop’s workflow?

“With DTF being less labor intensive and taking up less space than other print methods your workflow impact is minimal,” says Ninja Mike.

“One print location should only take around 30 seconds to complete, so one dedicated presser should be able to knock out a few hundred shirts daily. As the DTF side of your business continues to scale, this can be easily replicated to keep up with demand and maintain and even increase profitability.”
‍- “Ninja Mike,” founder and CEO of custom heat-transfer specialist Ninja Transfers

Integrating DTF transfers into your operations can make a big difference, especially for custom and smaller orders. This imprint method reduces setup time and eliminates the need for screens and complicated color management, giving you faster turnarounds and more design flexibility, especially for larger orders.

From a financial standpoint, DTF can be quite profitable, particularly for detailed custom jobs, thanks to lower setup costs than traditional printing. While the initial investment in quality printers and presses is significant, the long-term gains from faster production, less labor, and more versatility are worth it. Just be sure your team gets the proper training to make the transition smooth and get the most out of the new equipment. Kadz has two heat presses in her store, with one almost always set up for DTF production.  

“For shops just starting with DTF, it’s important to have a clear system in place and an efficient production station. Due to the nature of the materials we use to process DTF transfers, we store the materials in labeled clear plastic totes. We clear all other projects from the production station so that there’s no risk of the materials transferring to other apparel.” ‍
- Lisa Kadz, apparel consultant for Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More

Burwell notes that depending on your third-party transfer cost, your profit may differ from where you would like it to be, but your production speed may be faster. “If in-house, once you’ve defined your SOPs, your profits can be impressive,” he says.

Ready to Get Started With Direct-To-Film Transfers?

Adding DTF transfers to your decorating lineup is all about finding that balance. “A good place to start is finding a third-party vendor who can print your transfers until you’re busy enough—and ready—to bring DTF printing in-house,” Burwell says.

Understanding your options, planning your strategy, and getting the right equipment is crucial to staying ahead of the game and delivering results that truly stand out. "Get educated. Do your research on pressing techniques, attend classes if you can, visit trade shows, and don’t be afraid to ask the vendors questions,” Burwell says.