FAQ & Support

This page covers the most common questions we receive about DTF transfers, artwork setup, ordering, shipping, pressing and aftercare. The aim is to give you clear information upfront, so you know what to expect at each step.

Whether you’re new to DTF or already familiar with the process, you’ll find useful guidance here to help you get consistent results.

If you need further assistance, you’re welcome to get in touch.

DTF Basics & Capabilities

What are DTF transfers?

DTF stands for Direct-to-Film transfer.

DTF transfers are created by digitally printing your artwork onto a specialised film, then applying a heat-activated adhesive powder.
Once cured, the design is transferred onto garments using a heat press.

DTF supports full colour artwork, fine detail and strong white opacity and can be applied to a wide range of fabric types — making it one of the most versatile decoration methods available.

Compared to vinyl or traditional screen printing, DTF offers full colour graphic and photograph capability, no setup costs and consistent results across multiple garment types.

Why DTF Transfers are worth it

DTF transfers are popular because they offer:

  • Excellent colour vibrancy and detail
  • Compatibility with cotton, polyester, blends, and many synthetics
  • No minimum quantities
  • Cost-effective short and long runs
  • Easy storage and on demand application

They are widely used in fashion, workwear, sportswear, branding, and custom apparel production.

What fabrics can i press on?

DTF transfers work on most common garment types, including:

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Poly/cotton blends
  • Many synthetics

Some fabrics require additional care:

  • Satin and silk may shrink or distort under heat
  • Wet weather garments may have coatings that reduce adhesion
  • Specialty treatments (UV, antibacterial, water-repellent) can affect bonding

Testing is always recommended before production runs.

How do we do it at Aussie Transfer co?

Orders are placed using our online gang sheet builder.

You upload your artwork, size each design to your required finished dimensions, and set quantities before checkout.

Designs are printed exactly as supplied, including any transparent or empty space within the file.

Important sizing note:
If your file includes transparent or blank space, that space is included when sizing.
For example, if you require a 300 mm wide print, the entire printable area of the file must be sized to 300 mm.

If your artwork includes extra transparent space, this must be accounted for when preparing your file.

Once your order is submitted and confirmed, it is sent directly into our production workflow and cannot be modified.

Transfers are produced using professional DTF printing equipment with an extended colour ink set to achieve accurate, vibrant colour reproduction within the capabilities of the DTF process.

Final colour appearance may vary depending on garment colour, fabric type, press settings, and application method.

Who Uses DTF Transfers

DTF transfers are used by:

  • Fashion labels
  • Workwear and uniform suppliers
  • Sports clubs
  • Small businesses and brands
  • Print shops and decorators
  • Hobbyists and crafters

DTF has very few practical limitations, which is why it has been widely adopted across multiple industries.

Can i print small text and fine detail?

Yes, with limitations.

  • Avoid line thicknesses below 0.5 mm
  • Extremely fine details have less adhesive powder contact area
  • Small text benefits from slightly thicker strokes or larger sizing

Fine detail designs may require warm or cold peeling for best results.

Does Fabric stretch affect durability?

Yes.

DTF transfers are flexible but not designed for extreme stretch.
Garments that stretch beyond the print’s tolerance (e.g. leggings) can cause cracking over time.

Does garment colour affect results?

Slightly.

DTF white ink is opaque but not completely dense.
Dark garments can slightly mute colours compared to light garments.
These differences are subtle but present.

Are there garments DTF is not recommended for?

Very few, but some require testing:

  • Silk and satin
  • Some coated garments

Some coatings prevent adhesive bonding.
Testing is essential.

Can DTF be used on hi-vis or safety garments?

Yes.
DTF performs extremely well on hi-vis and safety garments, including difficult areas that traditional methods struggle with.

Application & Aftercare

What press settings should i use?

Standard Application

  • Cotton: 150 °C
  • Polyester: 130 °C
  • Time: 8 seconds (12 seconds at lower temps)
  • Pressure: Medium–firm (3–4 kgf/cm²) – {42-56PSI}
  • Peel: Hot, warm or cold – Subject to design type
  • Second Press: 8 seconds after peeling

"Warm peel" = transfer is warm but safe to touch.

Operator Notes

  • Use a Teflon pillow where needed to improve contact
  • Thick garments retain heat, allow cooling before peeling
  • Always post-press to lock in durability

Is DTF instant peel of cold peel?

The film we use supports hot, warm, and cold peeling.

Large designs with solid coverage often peel cleanly immediately.
However, peel behaviour depends on:

  • Design size and detail
  • Adhesive contact area
  • Fabric weave and heat retention

Fine detail designs benefit from warm or cold peeling, allowing adhesive to stabilise before film removal.
A second press ensures full bonding.

Why does fine detail behave differently to large designs?

Fine detail designs have less surface contact with the garment.

Because fabric is not flat like paper, adhesive must bond within the weave.
Allowing brief cooling helps overcome static cling between film and print before peeling.

Why do different garments require different peel methods?

Garments retain heat differently depending on thickness and construction.

Thicker garments keep adhesive active longer.
Peeling too early can cause lifting.
Waiting until the transfer cools slightly improves adhesion stability.

Peeling angle and speed also matter — confident, smooth removal reduces resistance.

Why did my transfer stick to the film?

This usually occurs due to:

  • Fine detail with limited adhesive contact
  • Peeling while adhesive is still too active
  • Static cling exceeding fabric adhesion

Allow cooling and peel confidently for best results.

Why is my transfer cracking or peeling?

Cracking/peeling is usually caused by one (or a mix) of these:

  • Press settings (temp/pressure/time not quite right)

  • Garment type (high-stretch fabrics can crack as they stretch beyond the print)

  • Fabric coatings (water-repellent / “hydrophobic” coatings can resist bonding)

  • Garment quality + shrinkage (cheap garments shrinking can stress the print)

  • Under-pressing fine detail (small text needs better bonding + sometimes a warm/cold peel)

If you tell us the garment type + your press settings, we can help assist in troubleshooting.

Can i repress a transfer if pressed incorrectly?

Yes.
Often, If part of the design didn’t fully bond (or a corner lifted during peel):

  1. Lay the film back down carefully (or cover with baking paper / parchment)

  2. Repress with correct temperature + firm, even pressure

  3. For fine detail, try a warm or cold peel so the adhesive has time to stabilise

  4. A quick second press can help ensure full bonding

Light pressure is one of the biggest causes of partial transfer... if the print isn’t being pushed into the fabric weave, it can lift.

Can i press DTF on Nylon, Softshell, or rainwear?

Yes, but testing is critical.

  • Nylon is hydrophobic and resists bonding
  • Softshell garments may experience dye migration or texture issues
  • Rainwear coatings vary by brand

Always test before production.

Ordering & Production

How do i order DTF transfers?

Orders are placed using our online gang sheet builder.

You upload your artwork, size each design to your required finished dimensions, and set quantities before checkout.

Designs are printed exactly as supplied, including any transparent or empty space within the file.

Important sizing note:
If your file includes transparent or blank space, that space is included when sizing.
For example, if you require a 300 mm wide print, the entire printable area of the file must be sized to 300 mm.

If your artwork includes extra transparent space, this must be accounted for when preparing your file.

Once your order is submitted and confirmed, it is sent directly into our production workflow and cannot be modified.

Transfers are produced using professional DTF printing equipment with an extended colour ink set to achieve accurate, vibrant colour reproduction within the capabilities of the DTF process.

Final colour appearance may vary depending on garment colour, fabric type, press settings, and application method.

how long does production take?

Most orders are completed within 1–3 business days, depending on workload, order size, and timing.

A priority production option is available, which moves your order into a high-urgency queue.
This reduces turnaround time but does not guarantee next-job printing.

Can i reorder the same file later?

Usually, no... not automatically.
Your gang sheet build lives in your browser/login session, and we don’t keep customer print files 'on file' after the job is completed.

Best practice: Save your final exported gang sheet file and/or keep a folder with your originals so re-ordering is easy.

Do you offer priority or express production?

Yes.
We offer a Priority Production upgrade.

It moves your job into the priority queue, but it doesn’t guarantee it will be the very next job printed (production order still depends on workload and job type).

This is added in the cart at checkout.

Do you offer express shipping?

Yes, express options are available at checkout.

Please note that courier delays are outside our control.
Always allow buffer time when scheduling jobs.

Can i make changes after ordering?

Once an order is placed, design changes aren’t possible.

Files are uploaded and processed automatically for production, which means we can’t edit, replace, or adjust artwork after checkout.
Please review your designs carefully before submitting your order.

If you realise there’s an issue immediately after ordering, contact us as soon as possible.
If production hasn’t started yet, we’ll do our best to help — but changes can’t be guaranteed.

Artwork & File Preparation

What file formats and artwork requirements are needed?

We accept high-resolution artwork sized to your final print dimensions, ideally at 300 dpi.

Preferred file formats are vector files (AI, PDF, EPS, SVG) or high-resolution raster files (PNG with a transparent background).

Important sizing note:
Any transparent or blank space in your file is included when sizing.
For example, if your file contains extra transparent space around the artwork, that space will increase the final printed size.

To ensure accurate results, artwork should be positioned and scaled correctly before upload.

Artwork quality considerations:
Blurry or soft edges in artwork can result in visible white edging (keylines) once printed. This is often caused by low-resolution files or anti-aliasing applied during design.

If you’re working with a designer, ask them to:

  • Supply artwork at final size

  • Disable anti-aliasing where possible

  • Use clean, solid edges suitable for print

Improperly prepared files may result in prints that differ from your intended size or appearance.

An artwork setup service is available if you need assistance correcting file issues before printing.

What file types do you accept?

Online Designer Uploads:
PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WEBP

Direct File Supply (by arrangement):
EPS, AI, CDR and the online designer types (PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WEBP)

Recommended formats:
SVG (vector) is preferred, followed by PNG with a clean transparent background.
Avoid anti-aliasing or blurred edges, as these can create visible halos when printed.
Converting a image to another format doesn't make it a vector.

IE – converting a JPG to SVG, doesn't improve art or convert to vector.
A true vector needs a designer to recreate the artwork.
This can be arranged.

What Resolution / DPI is best?

300 DPI is recommended for sharp, professional results.

Low-resolution images (commonly web downloaded files at around 72 DPI) will appear soft, grainy, or pixelated when printed.
Always upload the highest-quality version of your artwork available.

Avoid artwork with soft or stepped edges (often caused by heavy anti-aliasing).
This can result in a visible white or light coloured halo around the design once pressed onto a garment.

For best results, use clean vector artwork or high resolution raster files with solid, well defined edges.

Can you resize or fix my artwork?

Yes — artwork setup or digitising fees apply.
Artwork must be approved before upload.

Do you check my artwork before printing?

We perform a basic suitability check, but artwork accuracy remains the customer’s responsibility.

We do not check: 

  • Layout decisions 
  • Spelling
  • Colour accuracy

If you’re unsure about your file, contact us before ordering.
Artwork setup or digitising fees may apply.

Who is responsible for artwork quality?

The customer.

If artwork appears pixelated when zoomed in, it will print that way.
Artwork digitising or setup services are available by request.

Do you offer colour matching?

Our printers produce strong, vibrant colours, but digital colour matching is never exact.

Screen displays vary significantly between devices and manufacturers, and Pantone colours are especially difficult to reproduce digitally.

We will be introducing printed colour charts in the future to assist with close colour matching.

What happens if my file is too small?

Low-resolution files will not print correctly. 
Contact us before uploading if unsure, artwork setup fees may apply.

What happens if colours don't match my screen?

Screens vary significantly by device and manufacturer. 
Exact colour matching is not guaranteed.
Printed colour charts are available for purchase.

What is a gang sheet?

A gang sheet allows multiple designs to be arranged on a single sheet to maximise efficiency.

Auto-layout is recommended, but manual layout or pre-built sheets can be uploaded by experienced users.

Can i mix designs on one sheet?

Yes.
You can add multiple designs to the Gang Sheet Builder; mix sizes, logos, and different artworks. There’s no set limit; it simply comes down to what fits on the sheet size you select.

Aftercare & Durability

How should I care for garments with DTF transfers?

After applying transfers correctly, wash garments inside-out on a gentle cycle with mild detergent.

Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and high heat drying.

Hang to dry when possible. Proper aftercare supports durability and helps maintain colour vibrancy.

How do i wash garments with DTF Prints?

  • Wash cold, inside out

  • Use mild detergent (avoid harsh cleaners)

  • Avoid heavy additives like fabric softener and strong “soaker” products

  • Line dry is best

  • If you tumble dry, use low heat and keep garments inside out

High heat can soften/reactivate adhesive and shorten print life.

How long do DTF prints last?

With correct pressing and care, DTF prints are built to last.
A common benchmark is 30+ washes, and many customers see significantly more with good garments and proper washing.

What causes cracking or peeling over time?

Over time, cracking/peeling is usually from:

  • Garment fatigue/stretching

  • High-wear zones (knees, elbows, chest flex points)

  • Heat + harsh washing (hot cycles, dryers, strong chemicals)

  • Fabric coatings + sweat/oils slowly breaking down the bond on some garments

Can i iron over a DTF print?

Not directly.
If you must iron:

  • Turn garment inside out, or

  • Place baking paper / parchment or a thin cloth over the print

  • Use a lower heat setting and don’t hover in one spot

Direct iron contact can mark the print or soften the adhesive.

Does tumble drying affect DTF prints?

It can.
Hot dryers can reach temperatures that soften the adhesive, and tumble action adds wear.
If you tumble dry:

  • Use low heat

  • Keep garments inside out

  • Avoid drying transfers with heavy items (denim/workwear) if you can

Many people tumble dry without issues... but for best life, line drying wins.

Shipping, Issues & Policies

What if my transfer arrive damaged?

Orders shipped with insurance are reprinted and resent.
Without insurance, freight damage is outside our control, contact us to discuss options.

Do you ship internationally?

International shipping is available by request but is not currently a standard service. 
Contact us if you require overseas delivery.

What Voids responsibility or warranty?

Because DTF transfers are applied by the customer, responsibility covers the quality of the transfer as supplied, not the final applied result.

Responsibility may be void due to:

  • Artwork errors approved by the customer
  • Incorrect press settings or peel method
  • Unsuitable garments
  • Incorrect aftercare

We’re always happy to help troubleshoot — but application remains the user’s responsibility.

Can i get a refund if i made a mistake with my file?

Because transfers are printed to your supplied artwork, we can’t offer refunds for customer file mistakes (wrong size, low resolution, incorrect colours, spelling errors, etc.).

If you’re unsure before ordering, reach out... we can advise or offer paid artwork help.

Are transfers guaranteed to apply perfectly?

No guarantee is given.

Application results depend on:

  • Garment type
  • Artwork detail
  • Press settings
  • Operator technique

We guarantee print quality as supplied, not final application outcome.

Who do i contact if something goes wrong?

Email support@aussietransferco.com.au and we’ll assist.

Refunds for artwork error

Customer-supplied artwork errors are not refundable. 
Always double-check files before submission