Digital Transfer
If you've ever seen a t-shirt with a detailed, full-colour design, or a hoodie carrying a photo-quality logo, digital transfer printing may well be the reason. It brings the colour and detail of digital printing to fabrics and to spots that are tricky to print on directly.
What is digital transfer printing?
Digital transfer printing, sometimes called digital heat transfer or DTF (direct to film), works in two stages. First your design is printed in full colour onto a special transfer film. Then that transfer is applied to your product using heat and pressure.
Because the design is printed digitally, there are no screens to make, and you get full colour, fine detail and gradients with ease. Because it's applied with a press, it suits fabrics and placements that direct printing finds awkward.
How does digital transfer printing work?
The process is straightforward once you see the two stages:
- 1Print to film. Your design is printed in full colour onto a transfer film, straight from a digital file with no need to separate it into colours.
- 2Prepare the transfer. The printed transfer is prepared and ready to apply.
- 3Position it. The transfer is placed exactly where you want it on your product.
- 4Press it on. A heat press applies heat and pressure, bonding the design to the item.
- 5Peel away. The carrier is peeled off, leaving your full-colour design on the surface.
The handy part is that you get digital colour and detail, but applied like a transfer, so it reaches places a flat print could not, and it works neatly on garments.
The advantages of digital transfer printing
There's a lot to like about this method for branded clothing and merchandise:
Full colour and fine detail
Photographs, gradients and unlimited colours all reproduce cleanly.
No screens to set up
With nothing to separate into colours, it's one of the most economical options for small, full-colour runs and one-offs.
Reaches awkward placements
Sleeves, chest, small areas, bags and caps are all straightforward, even where direct printing would struggle.
Quick and flexible
It prints from a file, so changing the design between items is simple.
Vibrant on fabric
Colours come out bright and bold on garments and textiles.
The drawbacks to consider
No method suits every job, and it helps to know the trade-offs:
- A slight feel on the fabric. The design sits as a thin layer on top, so it can feel a touch different to the bare material, especially on larger solid areas.
- Heat application needed. The item has to withstand a heat press, which suits fabrics far more than delicate hard goods.
- Exact brand colours can be approximate. It uses full-colour process printing, so most colours look excellent, but very specific Pantone shades or metallics can come out slightly off.
- Best on textiles. It's at its strongest on clothing and fabric items rather than rigid products.
What can be digital transfer printed?
Digital transfer works best on heat-pressable surfaces, including:
- Textiles, including cotton, polyester and blends
- Workwear fabrics
- Bags
- Caps and headwear
Popular products
Some of the items digital transfer works especially well on:
Digital transfer FAQs
What's the difference between digital transfer and screen transfer?
Both apply a printed design with heat, but digital transfer prints in full colour from a file with no screens, so it suits detailed, multi-colour or photographic designs and small runs. Screen transfer uses a separate screen for each colour and suits bold, solid colours.
What's the difference between digital transfer and digital printing?
Digital printing goes straight onto the product, while digital transfer prints onto a film first and heat-presses it on. That makes the transfer version a better fit for fabrics and for awkward placements.
Can digital transfer handle photographs and gradients?
Yes, that's one of its real strengths. Full colour, fine detail and gradients all come out cleanly.
Is digital transfer cost-effective for small orders?
Very. With no screens to set up, it's one of the most economical options for small, full-colour runs.
Is digital transfer durable?
Yes. Applied correctly, it stands up well to washing and wear. The design sits as a thin layer on the fabric.
Will my exact brand colours match?
Most colours reproduce beautifully, though very specific Pantone shades or metallics can come out slightly approximate, since it uses full-colour process printing. We'll always let you know if that's likely to be a factor.
Not sure if digital transfer is right for you?
If you'd like to know more, or you're just not sure whether it's the best method for your project, get in touch with our Bristol team. You'll speak to a dedicated business manager, not AI or a robot.
And we won't hassle you. If you'd rather sort everything over the phone, we'll call. If you prefer email, no problem at all, we'll keep it to email. Either way, we're here to help you get the right print for your branded merchandise.