Getting a Soft, Natural Feel from DTF Transfers
Not all DTF prints feel the same. At DMandprints, we obsess over the feel of your prints just as much as the look. With the right artwork and our optimized workflow, our transfers feel better than screen print. Here’s how we get there—and how you can make them feel even better.
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Soft and Natural Feeling DTF Transfers
We genuinely believe our DTF prints feel softer and more natural than most—if not all—commercial DTF prints out there. And that’s not by accident. We’ve spent a lot of time dialing in our process because feel matters.
We also know that DTF sometimes gets a bad rap. Not all transfers feel good—some are thick, rubbery, or just plain uncomfortable. That usually happens when shops treat printing like a one-button job. But getting a print that feels right takes intention at every step.
We care about that. And we think it’s worth explaining why our transfers feel better—and how, with the right artwork, yours can feel even better still.
Low Temp, Short Press: The Gold Standard for Feel
One of the easiest ways to gauge how a DTF transfer is going to feel is by looking at the press instructions. At DMandprints, we aim for a target press temp of 280–290°F for just 2 to 5 seconds. That’s the sweet spot where the adhesive bonds cleanly, the ink sets properly, and the final result stays soft and natural.
Why does this matter? Because it’s something we can measure—and something we constantly optimize for. Our entire print pipeline is tuned to hit this target. It's not just a byproduct of good luck or nice equipment—it's the result of a lot of intentional engineering and calibration.
Now compare that to most DTF print providers. If you see instructions like 320°F for 15 seconds, that’s a red flag. Even 290°F for 15 seconds is enough to cook a print to the point where it feels rubbery and flat, with muted colors and heavy hand feel.
So yes, feel is subjective—but these numbers aren’t. And they’re a great indicator of whether a shop is prioritizing quality or just trying to make prints that survive the wash by brute force.
Before We Go Further—This Might Be All You Need
If you’ve made it this far, you already know the key takeaway: our transfers feel great, and that’s because we’ve engineered every step to make sure they do. You don’t need to become a DTF technician to get great results. Just know that when you print with us, we’ve got the feel dialed in—and we’ll make your artwork look (and feel) its best.
So if you’re just here to get answers and feel confident in your next order—awesome. You’re good to go.
But if you're curious, or you're the kind of person who likes to know why things work and how to push for even better results—keep reading. We're about to nerd out a little, and we think you'll get a lot out of it.
Great Feel Is a Team Effort—But We Do Most of the Heavy Lifting
While color might be a true 50/50 partnership, when it comes to feel, we’ll be honest—it’s more like 80/20.
We do the vast majority of the work. We’ve made major investments in commercial-grade printers, RIP software, premium inks, high-quality adhesive powder, and all the fine-tuned calibration that brings it together. That’s how we deliver soft, consistent results right out of the box.
But your role still matters—and it comes down to two simple things:
1. Be Willing to Spend Pennies More Per Print
Let’s not overcomplicate this: great feel costs a little more to produce. Not dollars more—pennies. But it matters. You can’t get a soft, clean, high-end finish from cheap inks running through budget printers. That’s just reality.
We’re not trying to be rude—but if you’re shopping for the cheapest DTF prints from a discount provider, you’re not going to get premium results. And that’s fine if you’re doing hobby stuff. But if quality matters to you or your customers, this is where the difference shows up.
2. Submit Clean, Thoughtful Artwork
You don’t have to be a professional designer, but using smart techniques like knockouts and halftones can go a long way toward making your prints feel even better.
We’re not going to turn this into a design tutorial, but if you're filling big areas with solid ink, there are ways to break that up without sacrificing the look. Seriously—go watch a couple YouTube videos on knockout techniques or halftone patterns. A few small changes can make a noticeable difference in the final feel.
What We Do to Earn Our 80%
We won’t give away all our hard-earned trade secrets, but we’re happy to pull back the curtain on some of the big pillars behind why our transfers feel so much better than the average DTF print. These aren’t quick fixes—they’re the result of experience, investment, and dialing in every part of the workflow over time.
1. Consumables Matter. A Lot.
We only run high-end, commercial-grade consumables: inks, adhesive powders, and film substrates that are consistent, clean, and designed to work together. This isn’t optional—it’s foundational. And it only works when these materials are paired with the right equipment and software.
It’s not just about what you could use—it’s about knowing what shouldn’t ever go near a serious production line. And we’ve learned that lesson the hard way. (Ask us sometime about the day a discount roll snuck into our supply chain. Spoiler: it wasn’t pretty.)
2. The Printer You Use Really, Really Matters
Not all printers are created equal. We run commercial-grade printers for a reason: because the difference shows up in the final result.
But it’s not just about the hardware. A great printer needs a great ecosystem. That includes:
- A manufacturer that provides real support, not just warranty forms.
- Integration with top-tier RIP software like NeoStampa, so we can control ink laydown, dot gain, and temperature curves.
- Strong relationships with trusted distributors, so we get the exact same inks, powders, and films every time.
This consistency is critical. One bad batch—or one substituted roll—can throw everything off. We’ve seen it firsthand. So now we manage every input, from film texture to ink viscosity, with care.
3. Don’t Cut Corners on Cost
Our printers aren’t cheap. When the invoice shows up, it stings a little. The print heads alone are pricey, and pretty much everything else is to. But here’s how we see it: your customer’s satisfaction depends on this equipment, and we’re not interested in rolling the dice with anything less.
These printers are built to run with specific, high-quality consumables—inks, powders, and films that are tuned to work together with the hardware. And yeah, those materials cost more. But we’d rather spend a few cents more per print than try to salvage the fallout of a bad customer experience.
We’re here to earn 5-star reviews, not become experts in handling complaints. That’s the mindset we bring to every decision: better inputs, better outcomes.
4. Environmental Factors Are a Big Deal
We don’t just set up printers and hope for the best—we give them a proper home. That means maintaining the right temperature, stable humidity, and clean air at all times. Think of it like a lab, not a warehouse.
It might sound like overkill, but it makes a real difference. We’ve literally seen one printer on one side of the room need different tuning than a printer on the other—just because of slight variations in humidity. That’s how sensitive this process is.
Dust, dry air, inconsistent temps—all of these can mess with print quality and adhesion. So we control them. Because if you're serious about feel and finish, this kind of stuff matters more than most people realize.
See? We really do handle 80% of the work. You get to just enjoy the results. 😎
Now Comes the Tuning: Where the Magic (Really) Happens
Once you’ve got the fundamentals dialed—the right printer, high-quality consumables, and a well-controlled environment—it’s time to do the real work: tuning.
This is where everything circles back to the target numbers we mentioned at the start: 280–290°F for ~3 seconds. Hitting that target is the result of meticulous calibration—not just once, but constantly.
We’re talking about:
- Adjusting print head speed to get the ink down just right
- Matching that speed to the color profile and ink density
- Fine-tuning the ratio of color ink, expanders, and white
- Calibrating the path through the adhesive powder bath and agitator
- Dialing in drying temperatures and dwell times through every stage
It all has to work together like a well-tuned machine.
If you're looking for a metaphor, think race car. You can bolt on the same parts—same engine, tires, suspension—but it’s the tuning that wins races. Anyone can buy the hardware, but few know how to bring it all into sync.
And that’s the problem with some of the hype out there. You’ll see competitors claiming they’ve got a special ink or a miracle powder that makes everything feel soft and perfect. But in reality, you don’t get to low-temp, short-time perfection without doing the work.
It’s not about magic. It’s about mastery.
In Summary
Yeah—we know this is a long one. And truthfully, only one in a thousand people will make it all the way here. But if you did, we hope it gives you a glimpse into just how much work goes into making your prints not only look great, but feel great too.
We obsess over the details so you don’t have to. Because at the end of the day, your customers aren't reviewing our printheads or RIP profiles—they’re judging the shirt in their hands. And we want that to be a 5-star experience, every time.
Thanks for reading. We appreciate you.
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Essential Tips for Quality DTF Printing
Our guides are perfect for both beginners and seasoned print professionals. Discover valuable tips for creating artwork, mastering heat press techniques, and more. These resources ensure you achieve the best quality final product.
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Q & A
Common Questions
Here are some quick questions and answers we frequently get about DTF prints and DMandPrints. We've placed them right here on the home page for your convenience!
What are DTF ( Direct to Film) Prints?
What are DTF ( Direct to Film) Prints?
DTF (Direct to Film) prints are a method of printing designs onto a special film, which is then transferred onto fabric. This process involves printing the design on a film, applying a powder adhesive, curing it, and then heat pressing the film onto the fabric. DTF prints are known for their durability, vibrant colors, and versatility, making them ideal for custom apparel and other textile products.
Do you sell printed garments?
Do you sell printed garments?
No, we only sell the prints.
You can purchase your own garment and a heat press to apply the heat transfer prints to your own garments. Our customers are typically small, medium and large screen printers that want to offer heat transfers as an alternative to their standard screen printing process.
Is Gang Sheeting Necessary for Your Artwork?
Is Gang Sheeting Necessary for Your Artwork?
There is no need to gang sheet your artwork.
We charge only for the actual print area. Our image processing system automatically removes any unnecessary transparent space around your image to accurately calculate the print area for our per-square-inch pricing.
Gang sheeting not only costs you time but can also cost you money. We can only trim transparent space around the edges of your artwork. If you create a gang sheet yourself, you might introduce unprinted space that increases the total square inches, leading to higher costs.
Summary
The easiest and most cost-effective way to get your prints is to simply upload your artwork. We'll handle the gang sheeting for you, saving you both time and money.
Are DTF prints better than traditional screen printing?
Are DTF prints better than traditional screen printing?
It's not a matter of being better or worse; DTF (Direct to Film) printing is simply an alternative to traditional screen printing. Both methods have their own unique advantages.
DTF heat transfers feel similar to screen-printed shirts and can often be more durable. Additionally, DTF printing allows for unlimited colors in a single print, providing flexibility for intricate and colorful designs. On the other hand, screen printing is well-loved for its ability to produce vibrant, long-lasting prints, especially in bulk.
Choosing between the two methods depends on your specific needs and preferences.
What types of fabrics can DTF prints be applied to?
What types of fabrics can DTF prints be applied to?
DTF prints can be applied to a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, leather, and even some non-textile materials.
Are DTF prints durable?
Are DTF prints durable?
Yes, DTF prints are known for their durability and can withstand multiple washes without fading or peeling.
Do DTF prints feel heavy or stiff?
Do DTF prints feel heavy or stiff?
No, DTF prints have a soft feel and do not add significant weight or stiffness to the fabric.
Can DTF prints be used for detailed and colorful designs?
Can DTF prints be used for detailed and colorful designs?
Yes, DTF prints are excellent for detailed and colorful designs, providing vibrant and high-resolution results.
Is DTF printing cost-effective for small batches?
Is DTF printing cost-effective for small batches?
Yes, DTF printing is cost-effective for both small and large batches, making it ideal for custom and limited-run designs.
Can I create DTF prints at home?
Can I create DTF prints at home?
While it's possible with the right equipment, most people prefer to use professional services for higher quality and ease of use.