Custom DTF Transfers
A DTF (direct-to-film) transfer is a full-colour design printed onto film and heat-pressed onto fabric. Unlike screen printing there are no colour limits, no setup fees and no minimum order — press one shirt or a thousand. Merch Unlimited prints DTF transfers in-house in Garner, North Carolina and ships most orders within 24–48 hours.
Print shop? Get partner pricing. Approved wholesale partners save 20 to 40% off retail on every gang sheet.
What is a DTF transfer?
DTF stands for direct to film. Your artwork is printed onto transfer film in full CMYK, with a white underbase printed automatically beneath the design so colors stay vivid on any garment color. The transfer arrives ready to press: position it on the fabric, apply heat and pressure, and peel.
Because the design is printed digitally rather than through screens, there are no setup fees, no color limits, and no minimum quantity. That makes DTF the most flexible way to decorate apparel, whether you need one custom shirt or a full production run. If you can send us the art, we can print it.
How fast do DTF transfers ship?
Most DTF transfer orders ship within 24–48 hours of being placed. Need it faster? Rush same-day production is available on orders placed before noon ET.
Speed is not a slogan for us. Shipping speed is mentioned 153 times across our Google reviews, more than any other topic, and our overall record stands at 4.9 from 1,000+ Google reviews. The reason we can ship fast DTF transfers is simple: everything is printed in-house in Garner, North Carolina, made in the USA. There is no outsourcing and no overseas wait between your file and the press.
If you are comparing shops on the fastest DTF transfers, hold everyone to the same measure: when does the order actually leave the building?
DTF gang sheets — pay for what you print
A gang sheet lets you fill one sheet of transfer film with as many designs as will fit. Our gang sheets are 22 inches wide and come in lengths from 12 to 240 inches, starting at $7.95. Mix sizes and mix designs: left chest logos next to full backs next to sleeve prints. You pay for the length of the sheet, not the number of designs on it, so a tightly packed sheet drives your cost per print down fast.
Use the gang sheet builder to lay out your sheet online, or go straight to the 22" DTF gang sheet to upload your file and order.
What can you press DTF transfers onto?
DTF transfers work on cotton, polyester, cotton-poly blends, and nylon. That range covers most of what apparel decorators handle day to day, from cotton tees to polyester performance wear.
Because the white underbase is printed automatically on every transfer, the same file works on light and dark garments alike. If you are unsure whether a specific garment will take a transfer, send us the fabric content and we will tell you straight.
How do you apply a DTF transfer?
Applying a DTF transfer takes a heat press and four steps:
- Set your heat press to 300–325°F.
- Position the transfer and press with medium pressure for 10–15 seconds.
- Peel the film while it is still warm.
- Press again for 5 seconds to lock in durability.
That is the full process. Transfers arrive ready to press, so there is nothing to print or prep on your end.
DTF vs screen printing — which should I choose?
Choose DTF when your design uses multiple colors, your quantities are small or unpredictable, or you are printing across different fabric types. With no setup fees and no minimums, small runs are never penalized with setup charges.
Screen printing still earns its place for high-volume runs of simpler artwork. We run both in-house, so you are not asking a DTF shop whether DTF is right. Tell us what you are printing and we will recommend whichever method fits the job.
For a deeper walkthrough of the process, read our complete guide to DTF transfer printing.
DTF transfer pricing
Pricing is simple: every gang sheet is 22 inches wide, and the price is set by the length you choose. No setup fees, no minimums, and most orders ship within 24–48 hours.
| Sheet size (22" wide) | Retail price |
|---|---|
| 22" × 12" | $7.95 |
| 22" × 24" | $15.45 |
| 22" × 48" | $29.95 |
| 22" × 72" | $39.95 |
| 22" × 120" | $59.95 |
| 22" × 180" | $89.95 |
| 22" × 240" | $109.95 |
Ready to order? Upload your artwork on the 22" DTF gang sheet product page.
Print shop? Get partner pricing. Wholesale partners save 20 to 40% off these retail prices.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about DTF transfers. If yours is not covered, email support@merchunlimited.com or call (910) 892-9337.
What is a DTF transfer?
A DTF (direct-to-film) transfer is a full-color design printed onto a film sheet, then heat-pressed onto a garment. It prints in full CMYK with a white underbase added automatically, so there are no color limits, no setup fees, and no screens to burn.
What is a DTF gang sheet?
A gang sheet is a single sheet of DTF transfer film filled with multiple designs. Our sheets are 22 inches wide and run 12–240 inches long, so you pay for the length you use rather than per design. Build one in our gang sheet builder.
How long do DTF transfers take to ship?
Most DTF transfer orders ship within 24–48 hours. Rush same-day production is available on orders placed before noon ET. Everything is printed in-house in Garner, North Carolina, which is why shipping speed is the single most mentioned topic across our 1,000+ Google reviews.
What temperature do you press DTF transfers at?
Press DTF transfers at 300–325°F with medium pressure for 10–15 seconds, then peel the film while it is still warm. Follow with a second press of 5 seconds to lock in durability. These settings work across cotton, polyester, blends, and nylon.
Do DTF transfers crack or peel?
Not when they are applied correctly. Press at 300–325°F with medium pressure for 10–15 seconds, peel warm, and finish with a 5-second second press for durability. Following that full sequence is what keeps the transfer bonded to the fabric through wear and washing.
What fabrics work with DTF transfers?
DTF transfers work on cotton, polyester, cotton-poly blends, and nylon. Because every transfer prints in full CMYK with an automatic white underbase, colors stay bright on both light and dark fabrics. That flexibility is one of the biggest advantages DTF holds over other decoration methods.
Is there a minimum order for DTF transfers?
No, there is no minimum order for DTF transfers. Order a single 22" × 12" gang sheet for $7.95 or a thousand sheets, and orders ship within 24–48 hours either way. You pay for the sheet length you actually use, nothing else.
What's the difference between DTF and screen printing?
Screen printing applies ink through stencils and typically involves setup fees and color limits. DTF transfers have no setup fees, no color limits, and no minimum order, which makes them the stronger choice for full-color artwork, small runs, and printing across cotton, polyester, blends, and nylon.
What file format do I need?
PNG files with a transparent background work best for DTF transfers. We also accept JPG, PDF, and PSD files. Artwork at 300 DPI is recommended so fine detail and text print cleanly at full size. Upload your file directly in the gang sheet builder when you order.