New

CONTACT US: P: 03 9069 3262 E: hello@thecolourcartel.com.au
Direct To Film (DTF) printing in progress on custom apparel at The Colour Cartel, Melbourne

Direct To Film (DTF) Printing for Custom Apparel & Merch

Royal Direct To Film (DTF) printing is our most advanced digital printing method for custom apparel, clothing and branded merch. It allows us to produce photo-like, full-colour prints on t-shirts, hoodies, workwear and promotional products, without the limitations of traditional print methods.

DTF printing combines the soft hand feel and durability of a screen print with the vibrancy and detail of digital printing. Unlike Direct To Garment (DTG), DTF isn’t limited by fabric type, making it a flexible solution for t-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, workwear, accessories and promotional products.

All Direct To Film printing is produced in-house at our Melbourne Warehouse and shipped Australia-wide.

How Direct To Film Printing Works

The Direct To Film process is simple, efficient and designed to deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Large-format printer producing a Direct To Film transfer on clear PET film for custom apparel

Design to Film

Once your artwork or logo is print-ready, we use a large-format printer to transfer the design, in reverse, onto a clear PET film using water-based inks.

Preparing a DTF transfer for application to custom clothing and merch

Set & Prepare

The printed film is then run through a heated curing unit, allowing the design to be handled without damage. For bulk orders, the film is cut into individual transfers, ready for application.

Heat press applying a Direct To Film print onto a garment for apparel printing

Heat Pressing

The film is placed onto the garment, design side down, and applied using a heat press. Heat and pressure activate the adhesive within the ink, bonding the artwork to the fabric.

Finished Direct To Film print on custom clothing, printed by The Colour Cartel

Durable, Flexible Finish

Once the film is removed, only the ink remains, leaving a smooth, durable print that moves with the garment.

Close-up of full-colour Direct To Film printing applied to custom clothing and branded merch

DTF Printing for Apparel, Clothing & Branded Merch

Direct To Film printing is well-suited to a wide range of custom apparel and merch, including:

  • T-shirts and long sleeves
  • Hoodies, crew necks and jumpers
  • Workwear and uniforms
  • Tote bags and fabric accessories
  • Promotional clothing and branded merchandise

It’s a popular choice for apparel brands, businesses, events and creators who want high-impact prints without colour or fabric limitations.

Why choose Direct To Film?

No Colour Limitations

DTF printing is perfect for designs with intricate details, gradients and a wide spectrum of colours. We can achieve almost any RGB colour, without being restricted by the colour limits of screen printing.

Fabric Versatility

DTF works across cotton, polyester and blended fabrics, making it suitable for a broader range of clothing, garments and promotional products than DTG printing.

High-Quality, Durable Prints

Our DTF prints deliver high-definition, full-colour results with a soft feel. They stretch with the garment and resist cracking or fading, even after 50+ washes.

Perfect for Fine Details

Small lettering, sharp edges and detailed logos print cleanly and consistently, making DTF ideal for branded apparel and merch that needs to look polished up close.

No Minimum Order Quantities

With minimal setup required, DTF printing works just as well for small runs and one-off pieces as it does for large-scale apparel production.

Production Efficiency

DTF requires minimal setup compared to other print methods, making it an efficient option for complex, full-colour designs and varied order sizes.

Customise Apparel & Accessories

Ramo T-Shirts Sky Blue Faded / S Ramo Unisex Heavy Weight Organic Cotton FadedOversize Tshirt

T-Shirts

ASColour Crews White Marle / S ASColour Stencil Half Zip

Crews

Custom Hoodies

Custom Hoodies

ASColour Hats White / OSFA ASColour Surf Cap

Hats

Not sure if DTF printing is right for your project?

Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you choose the best printing method for your apparel, clothing or merch.

Ready to order?

Simply select Direct To Film when ordering online! If you'd like help placing your order, contact our customer service team, and we'll place the order for you.

 Contact Us

I had stickers and shirts printed for my business. A couple of months in, and the stickers have held up really well in the weather so far, and the shirts have had several washes with no fading to the DTF print. Very reasonable price for a good quality product. Highly recommend, and will be returning for more in the future.

Josh L