DTF Printing in Westlake & Palm Beach County
Direct-to-film printing reproduces full-color logos, gradients and fine detail on almost any fabric — cotton, polyester, blends, light or dark. Printed and pressed in-house.
DTF (direct-to-film) printing prints your design onto a special film with white ink as a base, coats it with an adhesive powder, cures it, and heat-presses it onto the garment. It reproduces full color and fine detail, works on cotton, polyester and blends in light or dark colors, and stays flexible. Crafty Media prints and presses DTF in-house in Westlake, FL.
What people use DTF Printing for
- Full-color logos and detailed artwork
- Dark garments (the white underbase keeps colors bright)
- Mixed fabrics: cotton, polyester, blends
- Small and medium runs without screen setup
- Hoodies, tees, totes and performance wear
Materials & products
Our DTF Printing process, start to finish
Prepare artwork
Your design is sized and prepared for print — a transparent-background file gives the cleanest edge.
Print on film
Color plus a white underbase is printed onto PET film on our DTF printer.
Powder & cure
Adhesive powder is applied and cured so the transfer can bond to fabric.
Heat press
The transfer is pressed onto the garment with heat and pressure, then peeled.
DTF Printing details
- Colors
- Full color, including gradients and fine detail
- Fabrics
- Cotton, polyester, blends — light or dark
- Feel
- Thin, flexible print layer
- Best artwork
- High-resolution PNG (300 dpi at print size) with transparent background
- Care
- Wash inside out in cold water; tumble dry low or hang dry; don’t iron the print
When it’s not the right choice
DTF is a fabric transfer. For hard items like tumblers, glass or phone cases, UV DTF is the right process; for logos on polos and caps, embroidery often looks more premium.
Compare decoration methods
| Method | Best for | Works on | Colors | Not ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery | Logos on uniforms, polos, caps | Most fabrics, caps, jackets | Thread colors | Photos, gradients, tiny text |
| DTF | Full-color designs on apparel | Cotton, polyester, blends — light or dark | Unlimited | Hard surfaces |
| Sublimation | All-over prints, jerseys, mugs | Light polyester, coated items | Unlimited | Cotton, dark garments |
| HTV | Names, numbers, simple text | Cotton, polyester, bags | 1–3 solid colors | Detailed multi-color art |
| UV DTF | Tumblers, glass, hard goods | Glass, metal, plastic, wood | Unlimited, glossy | Fabric |
| Laser engraving | Gifts, awards, signs | Wood, leather, slate, coated metal | Single tone | Full-color designs |
DTF Printing across Palm Beach County
Made in-house in Westlake, FL, with drop-off and pickup by appointment for customers in Westlake, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, The Acreage and nearby communities.
DTF Printing FAQ
What is DTF printing?
DTF stands for direct-to-film. The design is printed onto a film with a white ink base, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and heat-pressed onto the garment. It allows full-color, detailed prints on most fabrics, including dark colors.
Is DTF better than screen printing?
DTF has no screens to set up, so it is very practical for full-color designs and small to medium quantities. Screen printing can be more economical for very large runs of simple designs. For most small-business and event orders, DTF is the faster, more flexible choice.
How long do DTF prints last?
A properly pressed DTF print holds up to many washes. Wash the garment inside out in cold water, tumble dry low or hang dry, and avoid ironing directly on the print to keep it looking new.
What is the difference between DTF and UV DTF?
DTF is pressed onto fabric with heat. UV DTF is a rigid, glossy transfer applied by pressure — like a premium sticker — to hard surfaces such as tumblers, glass, metal and plastic. They are different products for different materials.
Can you print DTF on dark shirts?
Yes. DTF prints a white underbase beneath the colors, so designs stay bright on black, navy and other dark garments.
Related Services
UV DTF
Glossy, full-color UV DTF transfers for tumblers, glass, metal, plastic and other hard surfaces.
Custom Apparel
Custom shirts, staff uniforms and team wear — embroidered or printed, for business and personal orders.
Embroidery
Logo embroidery on polos, caps, jackets and uniforms — digitized and stitched in-house.
Sublimation
Vivid, permanent sublimation prints on polyester apparel, mugs, tumblers and coated gifts.
Ready to start your dtf printing order?
Send your design, quantity and deadline — we’ll reply with a real quote.