DTF(Direct to Film) Transfers Fitting Instructions

Here’s a guide for using Our DTF Transfers (Direct-to-Film) with a cool peel or hot peel process.

Keep in mind that these instructions are fairly general and you should do your own testing as settings may vary between different heat presses.

Materials Needed:

  • DTF (Direct to Film) Transfer
  • Cover Sheet, (Teflon Sheet or Parchment Paper.)
  • Heat Press
  • T-Shirt or fabric to print on
  • Heat Proof Tape if fitting to hats
  • Sticky Lint Roller for Specialty Transfers

Instructions:

  • Cold Peel Instructions:

    1. Apply the Transfer to Your Garment: Place your shirt or fabric onto the heat press. Position the transfer on the garment with the adhesive side facing down. Ensure that it’s correctly placed before applying heat. (If fitting to hats ensure to tape the design in place with heat proof tape)
    2. Place the Cover Sheet over the Transfer. Gently place the cover sheet over the transfer, you can use a Teflon sheet, or Parchment paper. (We will supply some parchment paper with your order.)
    3. Press the Transfer: Close the heat press onto the transfer and apply heat and pressure. The time and temperature will depend on your specific heat press and the transfer, but a general rule of thumb is around 165-175 degrees Celsius for 15-20 seconds. If fitting to polyester the recommendations are 125-135 degrees Celsius for 20-35 seconds.
    4. Cool Peel Transfers: After the heat press cycle, open the press and remove the garment from the heat press, let the garment cool to room temperature. Once cooled, gently peel off the film from the corner to the opposite side. The design should now be transferred to your garment.
    5. Remove excess material: On Specialty Transfers such as Gold Foil Transfers, use a sticky lint roller to remove any excess material, you may need to do several passes.
    6. Final Cure: To ensure the durability of the print, you should do a final cure. This step again requires the heat press, typically at the same temperature, press for an additional 10-20 seconds, with the Parchment paper placed directly over the transfer.

  • New Generation Hot Peel Instructions:

    1. Apply the Transfer to Your Garment: Place your shirt or fabric onto the heat press. Position the transfer on the garment with the adhesive side facing down. Ensure that it’s correctly placed before applying heat. (If fitting to hats ensure to tape the design in place with heat proof tape)
    2. Place the Cover Sheet over the Transfer. Gently place the cover sheet over the transfer, you can use a Teflon sheet, or Parchment paper. (We will supply some parchment paper with your order.)
    3. Press the Transfer: Close the heat press onto the transfer and apply heat and pressure. The time and temperature will depend on your specific heat press and the transfer, but a general rule of thumb is around 130-135 degrees Celsius for 15-20 seconds. If fitting to polyester the recommendations are 115-130 degrees Celsius for 15-35 seconds.
    4. Hot Peel Transfers: After the heat press cycle, open the press, remove the cover sheet, and gently peel off the film from the corner to the opposite side. The design should now be transferred to your garment.
    5. Final Cure: To ensure the durability of the print, you should do a final cure. This step again requires the heat press, typically at the same temperature, press for an additional 10-20 seconds, with the Parchment paper placed directly over the transfer.

Just the Settings

  • POLYESTER-Temperature 115-130 Degrees, Time 25 Seconds, Pressure Medium to High (Peel according to information supplied with the transfers)
  • COTTON-Temperature 165 Degrees, Time 15 Seconds, Pressure Medium, (Peel according to information supplied with the transfers)
  • HATS-Temperature 130 Degrees, Time 25 Seconds, Pressure High, wait 3 seconds and Peel, We recommend using heatproof Tape to hold the transfer in place when fitting.
  • To give a Matt finish to the design, simply re-press for 5 seconds with a parchment paper cover sheet

Helpful tips

  • For Cold Peel Transfers, do not remove the film from the garment when it is still on the heat press, it needs to be removed from the heat press first.
  • If you notice some powder has transferred in the un-printed areas, you can simply cover the design with regular copy paper and press for 3 seconds (Maximum). This will remove the excess powder

We take no responsibility for incorrectly fitted transfers, these are not iron on transfers, you will need to have a professional heat press to fit the transfers. We strongly recommend doing some test fitting before doing the final presses. Cheap Heat presses can have poor temperature control. Please be aware constant temperature, pressure and time are critical setting when fitting DTF Transfers to T Shirts and Apparel.

Lady in black T-shirt with DTF transfer, alongside a basic settings table.