Return to Transfer Printing
Transfer Printing in Vancouver and Canada Wide
DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers are a modern garment printing method where designs are printed onto a special film and then heat pressed onto fabric.
The process starts by printing the design using inkjet technology onto a translucent carrier film, in reverse. A powdered adhesive is then applied to the back of the ink while it is still wet.
Once cured, the film is placed onto the garment and heat pressed. This process both sets the ink for durability and melts the adhesive, bonding the design to the fabric. The carrier film is then peeled away, leaving the finished print on the garment.
DTF transfers are known for their versatility, allowing detailed, full-colour designs to be applied to a wide range of materials.
When to us Film to Fabric (DTF) Transfers
Choose Transfer Printing if you want:
✔ Full-colour designs with lots of detail
✔ Small quantities or short runs
✔ Photographic images or complex artwork
✔ Gradients, fades, and unlimited colours
✔ Faster turnaround on smaller orders
✔ Names, numbers, or individual customization
✔ Printing on items like hats, patches, or hard-to-print areas
✔ Small quantities or short runs
✔ Photographic images or complex artwork
✔ Gradients, fades, and unlimited colours
✔ Faster turnaround on smaller orders
✔ Names, numbers, or individual customization
✔ Printing on items like hats, patches, or hard-to-print areas
✔ You want to print on sensative or line garments like a jacket.
✔ You think you might need to re-order a small amount
✔ You think you might need to re-order a small amount
Good to Know
- Transfer prints sit on top of the fabric and can feel slightly heavier depending on the design. Depending on how it's designed, large areas can feel like vinyl glued to a shirt.
- Best for flexibility and detail—not large bulk runs
What can be printed with DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing?
Transfer printing (DTF) is one of the most versatile decoration methods available.
And don’t be fooled by the word “transfer”—this isn’t the old-school, stiff t-shirt transfer. Modern DTF prints are durable, flexible, and lightweight, with a soft feel compared to older transfer methods.
Works on a wide range of garments
DTF covers everything you’d typically screen print—t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, tote bags, aprons—the full range, and more.
DTF covers everything you’d typically screen print—t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, tote bags, aprons—the full range, and more.
Handles tricky print areas
DTF can print on uneven surfaces and in areas that are difficult for screen printing, such as across seams or near zippers.
DTF can print on uneven surfaces and in areas that are difficult for screen printing, such as across seams or near zippers.
Great for sensitive fabrics
Because DTF applies at lower temperatures, it works well on fabrics that may not handle screen printing—like certain polyesters, nylons, and jackets.
Because DTF applies at lower temperatures, it works well on fabrics that may not handle screen printing—like certain polyesters, nylons, and jackets.
Ideal for lined or hard-to-hold items
DTF only requires a single heat press, so garments that don’t sit flat or shift easily (like lined items) can still be printed cleanly.
DTF only requires a single heat press, so garments that don’t sit flat or shift easily (like lined items) can still be printed cleanly.
Bottom line
DTF is all about flexibility—if a garment is difficult to screen print, there’s a good chance DTF can handle it.
DTF vs screen printing?
The biggest difference between DTF and screen printing comes down to how the ink interacts with the fabric.
DTF has no subtlety to it—it’s either there at full opacity, or it isn’t. What you see is exactly what you get: bold, solid, full-colour prints with clean edges and sharp detail.
Screen printing, on the other hand, has a lot more range. It can fade out to nothing, be soft and barely there, or be printed in a vintage or distressed style. Inks can be reduced and pushed into the fabric, giving you that “no feel” print that feels like part of the shirt.
Because of this, large DTF prints can feel more noticeable—especially on lighter garments. For example, on a white t-shirt, a screen printed design can be softened so it feels almost like the fabric itself. The same design printed with DTF will feel more like it’s sitting on top of the garment.
That said, DTF excels in areas where screen printing can’t. It produces brighter colours, holds fine detail extremely well, and is built to last without fading or breaking down.
Check List - Screen Printing vs Transfers
Choose DTF if you want:
- Full-colour or photo-quality prints
- High detail and sharp edges
- Bright, bold colours that pop
- Smaller quantities at the best price
- Prints near seams, zippers, or tricky placements or sensative fabrics
Choose Screen Printing if you want:
- A soft, “no feel” print
- Vintage, faded, or distressed looks
- Large prints that blend into the fabric
- Images that fade to nothing
- Simple designs (1–3 colours)
- The lowest cost on larger quantities
- Specialty inks like puff, metalic or true florescent
- That classic screen-printed look and texture
Printed In-House. Done Right.
At GetBold, all of our printing is done in-house. That means we have full control over the quality—and the subtle details—of your print project.
We run both screen printing (we’ve been doing it for decades) and DTF using the newest machines and best inks available. You’re not locked into one method—we’re set up to do both, properly.
But the biggest difference?
We let you choose.
We let you choose.
Most shops will choose the print method for you based on what’s fastest or easiest for them—not what actually gives you the best result.
That’s how you end up with problems like this:
- You order a large run → it gets screen printed
- You reorder 20 more later → they get done with DTF
- Now they don’t match
Someone ends up wearing the “different ones”… and yeah, that never goes over well.
At GetBold, you decide the method upfront—so your prints stay consistent from the first run to the last.
Compare Pricing Instantly
You can quote both screen printing and DTF directly on our website.
Try it on the Gildan Heavy Cotton T‑Shirt 5000:
- Click Instant Quote
- Where it defaults to screen printing, switch the dropdown to Transfer Print (DTF)
- Compare both options side by side
Choose what actually works best for your design, your budget, and your goals.
Built on Experience
GetBold has been building a reputation for quality in the decorated apparel industry since 1999. We consistently deliver high-quality prints, on time, with a level of care that shows in the final product.
Ready to get started?
Use our online quote calculator to price your project in seconds.
Use our online quote calculator to price your project in seconds.
