If you've been researching custom printing in Australia and keep seeing "DTF" mentioned everywhere — and have absolutely no idea what it means — this one's for you.
DTF printing Australia (Direct to Film) is one of the fastest-growing printing methods in the custom apparel space, and for very good reason. Whether you're a small business owner, a crafter who does your own heat press, or just someone trying to understand what's going on with your custom tee order, here's the full picture.
What Is DTF Printing?
DTF stands for Direct to Film. The process works like this: your design is printed in full colour onto a special film, a hot-melt adhesive powder is applied, the film is cured, and then the finished transfer is heat-pressed onto your garment.
The result? A vibrant, detailed, full-colour print that sticks to virtually any fabric — cotton, polyester, blends, even dark-coloured garments that trip up other print methods.
At Three2Tango Tees, DTF is our go-to method for most custom orders. It handles detailed designs, small text, and complex artwork with ease, and it requires no minimum quantities — you can order one transfer or one hundred.
How Is DTF Different from Screen Printing?
Screen printing has been the industry standard for decades and is still excellent for simple, high-volume jobs. But it has real limitations:
- Each colour in your design requires its own screen (expensive setup cost)
- Works best on light-coloured garments
- Minimum order quantities (usually 24–50 pieces) to make it cost-effective
- Limited colour gradients and photographic detail
DTF has none of these constraints. Full colour, no screens, no minimums, works on dark garments — no problem. For small businesses and one-off orders, it's genuinely a game changer.
What Are DTF Transfers?
DTF transfers are the "ready to press" version of DTF printing — we print the design onto the film, cure it, and send it to you as a finished transfer ready for your heat press. You then apply it to any garment at home or in your studio.
This is especially popular with:
- Crafters and small businesses who do their own pressing
- Boutiques that want to personalise blank garments in-store
- Market sellers who need flexibility across multiple products
- Anyone who wants to test a design without committing to a full garment run
You can order our ready-to-press DTF transfers here — full colour, fast turnaround from our Spring Farm, NSW studio.
What Fabrics Can DTF Be Applied To?
This is one of DTF's biggest advantages over other methods. DTF transfers work on:
- 100% cotton
- Polyester and poly blends
- Nylon
- Canvas tote bags
- Denim
- Hoodies and fleece
The main limitation is very stretchy fabrics like Lycra or spandex — the transfer can crack under extreme stretch. For most standard garments, DTF performs brilliantly.
How Long Do DTF Prints Last?
A well-applied DTF print on a quality garment, washed correctly, should last 50+ wash cycles without significant fading or cracking. Our transfers use eco-friendly, kid-safe inks that are built to go the distance.
The main enemy of any print is heat — always wash in cold water, turn the garment inside out, and skip the dryer if you can. Do that, and your DTF print will be going strong long after the trend it celebrates has moved on.
Is DTF Good for Business Uniforms?
Absolutely — and it's particularly useful for small businesses that need:
- Small quantities of branded shirts (even 1–5 pieces)
- Multiple design variations across a small team
- Different logos for different staff roles
- Seasonal or event-specific branding without a big upfront cost
For larger uniform runs with simpler 1–2 colour designs, screen printing or embroidery might make more financial sense. Our team can advise — just get in touch for a free quote and we'll point you in the right direction.
You can also browse our small business merch collection to see what we offer across all print methods.
How Do You Order DTF Transfers in Australia?
The process is simple:
- Send us your design file (high-res PNG with transparent background, or a vector file)
- Confirm the size and quantity you need
- We print and ship your ready-to-press transfers within 5–9 business days
- Press onto your chosen garments with a heat press at 150–160°C for 15 seconds
First time doing this? No worries — we include pressing instructions with every order and are always happy to answer questions.
Why Order DTF Transfers from Three2Tango Tees?
We're a family-run printing business based in Spring Farm, NSW — and DTF is something we're genuinely passionate about because it opened up custom printing in Australia to people who previously couldn't justify screen printing minimums or lead times. We print everything with eco-friendly, kid-safe inks, offer Australia-wide delivery, and take every order seriously whether it's one transfer or one hundred.
Browse our ready-to-press DTF transfers and place your order today.