DTF is a heat transfer process. Your design is printed onto a transparent film using specialized inks, including a white base layer for accurate color on dark garments. An adhesive powder bonds the ink to the film, it gets cured through a dryer, then pressed directly onto your garment using a heat press. The film peels off and leaves behind a clean, full-color print embedded into the fabric.
It works on cotton, poly blends, nylon, denim, fleece, and most other fabrics. Dark shirts, light shirts, hats, bags. If you can press it, we can print it.
Businesses and organizations across Detroit, Southeast Michigan, and Metro Detroit use DTF for everything from staff shirts and event gear to fundraising merchandise and branded giveaways. We ship anywhere in the country.
Every DTF order goes through the same production process inside our Metro Detroit facility. Here is what happens from artwork to finished garment.
Your artwork is printed onto transparent film using DTF-specific inks. Dark garments get a white underbase layer to keep colors accurate.
A hot-melt adhesive powder is applied while the ink is still wet. This is what bonds the design to fabric fibers rather than just the surface.
The film runs through a curing dryer that locks the ink and activates the adhesive. The result is a stable, press-ready transfer.
Transfers are trimmed and placed on the garment exactly where they need to go before pressing begins.
The design is bonded to the fabric using precise temperature and pressure, calibrated to the specific material you are printing on.
The film peels away, leaving a vibrant, flexible print bonded to the garment. Ready to wear and built to last.
DTF printing works across a wide range of orders, which is a big part of why it has grown as fast as it has. Below are the two most common situations we see, but if your project does not fit neatly into either, reach out and we will figure it out with you.
Small businesses, contractors, restaurants, non-profits, schools. If you need professional branded apparel without a large quantity commitment, DTF is built for it. No minimums, no setup fees, and your artwork stays on file for easy reorders.
Need shirts for a new hire or a full team? DTF keeps cost per piece consistent whether you are ordering 2 or 200. Great for restaurants, trades, retail staff, and corporate teams across Metro Detroit.
Branded giveaways, client gifts, event merchandise. DTF handles detailed, multi-color logos without the per-color cost you would run into elsewhere.
Booster clubs, sports teams, non-profits, and school events across Southeast Michigan use DTF for spiritwear and fundraising merch where quantities are not always predictable. Pair it with an INK web store and the whole process runs itself.
No minimums means DTF is just as practical for a single custom shirt as it is for a group order. You do not need a business account or a bulk order to work with us. Just bring a design and a garment in mind.
Bachelor and bachelorette parties, family reunions, birthday trips, group vacations. DTF handles small batches where every person wants something custom without the headache of a minimum order.
Want one shirt with your design on it? We can do that. No setup cost, no price penalty for ordering small. Just bring your artwork and we will handle the rest.
Artists, creators, and small brands use DTF to test designs before committing to a larger run. Print a small batch, see how it lands, and scale up when you are ready.
DTF is growing fast and for good reason. It combines unlimited color, no minimums, and broad fabric compatibility all in one process. Here is what that means for your order.
No color caps, no color matching fees. DTF supports unlimited colors, gradients, and photographic detail in a single design. Your artwork prints exactly as designed.
Order one piece or a thousand. There are no minimums and no setup costs per run, making DTF the most flexible option for Metro Detroit small businesses, events, and custom one-offs.
DTF prints bond to fabric fibers rather than resting on top, so they resist cracking, peeling, and fading even after dozens of wash cycles with proper care.
Cotton, poly blends, nylon, fleece, denim. DTF works on a wider range of fabrics than most other methods and handles dark garments with precision thanks to the built-in white underbase.
Designs integrate into the fabric instead of sitting on top. The result is a soft, low-profile, flexible feel that is comfortable for everyday wear.
DTF delivers high-resolution results on apparel, bags, hats, and more. If your design has fine lines, small text, or detailed artwork, DTF gives you the sharpest possible output.
If your team, school, or organization needs apparel on a regular basis, a custom web store is worth looking into. INK builds and manages them for free — no upfront cost, no tech headaches. Businesses, schools, and organizations across Southeast Michigan use our platform for staff apparel programs, fundraising stores, and ongoing merch. Your people order when they need to, we handle production and fulfillment, and you set the markups. DTF’s no-minimum structure makes it a natural fit since every order is produced individually after the store closes.
We offer both in-house, so when you ask us which method to use, we will provide you direction to be best fit your needs. Here is how screen-printing compares.
| Factor | Direct to Film (DTF) | Screen Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Order | No minimums | 12-piece minimum at INK |
| Color Range | Unlimited colors, photos, gradients | Up to 8 spot colors, bold and clean |
| Setup Cost | No screen fees | Screen setup per color on larger orders |
| Small Batches | Cost stays consistent at any quantity | Setup cost spreads better at higher quantities |
| Large Runs | Efficient across varied designs | Cost per piece drops at volume |
| Fabric Range | Cotton, poly, nylon, denim, fleece, mixed materials | Best on cotton and cotton-poly blends |
| Print Feel | Smooth, flexible, low-profile | Classic raised ink feel, a proven favorite |
| Durability | Resists cracking and fading with proper care | Industry standard for long-lasting prints |
| Multiple Designs | No added cost per design variation | Each new design requires its own screen |
| Dark Garments | White underbase built into the process | Underbase adds a color to the count, still great results |
New to DTF printing? Here are the questions we hear most from customers across Detroit and Southeast Michigan exploring this service for the first time. If you have questions about INK, check out our About Us or FAQ page.
DTF is a heat transfer process that applies full-color designs directly to fabric using a printed film and adhesive powder. Screen printing uses ink pushed through a mesh screen and works great for bold, limited-color designs at volume. Sublimation requires 100% polyester. DTF works on almost any fabric, handles unlimited colors, and has no minimums, which is why it has become a popular option for small batches and complex artwork across Metro Detroit and beyond.
No. DTF at INK has no minimums. Order one piece if that is what you need. This is one of the biggest reasons businesses and organizations in Southeast Michigan choose DTF when other methods do not make financial sense at low quantities.
A long time, if you care for them correctly. Wash cold, inside-out, tumble dry low. The adhesive bonds to fabric fibers rather than sitting on the surface, which is what keeps DTF prints from cracking or peeling the way some other transfers do. Properly cared for DTF prints hold up through dozens of wash cycles without issue.
Cotton, polyester, poly-cotton blends, nylon, denim, canvas, fleece, and more. DTF also prints cleanly on dark garments because the process includes a white ink underbase. If you have an unusual material or garment in mind, reach out before you order and we will confirm it is a good fit.
Yes, and that is one of the things it does best. Because it is a fully digital process with no color-count limits, DTF reproduces photographic images, gradients, and artwork with fine detail that would be expensive or difficult in screen printing. If your design has blended tones or more than 4 to 5 colors, DTF is usually the better call.
Smooth and flexible. DTF prints sit low-profile on the fabric and have a soft feel. Most people describe it as similar to a thin, breathable layer rather than a raised ink print. It flexes with the fabric, which makes it comfortable for everyday wear and staff uniforms.
Most standard orders are finished within 5 to 10 business days after proof approval. We produce everything in-house at our Garden City, Michigan facility, which gives us real control over the schedule. If you have a tight deadline, contact us and we will be straight with you about what is possible.
PNG, PDF, AI, and EPS all work. For the best results, provide a high-resolution file at 300 DPI or higher with a transparent background. If your artwork is not print-ready, our team can help prep it. Just mention it when you reach out for a quote.
Absolutely. DTF’s no-minimum structure makes it a good fit for INK’s custom web store platform. Since orders are produced after the store closes, individual quantities do not need to hit a threshold. Every order is fulfilled as submitted. Schools, sports teams, and organizations across Michigan use this setup for apparel fundraisers.
Yes. We are based in Southeast Michigan and do most of our work with local businesses and organizations in the Metro Detroit area, but we ship nationwide. Same quality, same turnaround, regardless of where you are located.
Fill out our contact form with your design, garment type, and quantity. You can also call us directly. We are based in Garden City, Michigan, and we will get back to you with a quote and next steps. Contact us here to get started.