What Is a DTF Printer?
By Darrin DeTorres, DTF Database founder, print industry professional with 10+ years of production experience · Last updated
What Is a DTF Printer?
A DTF (direct-to-film) printer is an inkjet printer that prints a design in water-based pigment ink, CMYK plus a white layer, onto clear PET film. The wet print is coated with hot-melt adhesive powder, cured with heat, then heat-pressed onto fabric. The transfer bonds to cotton, polyester and blends without pretreating the garment.
DTF stands for direct to film (see the full DTF meaning and definition explainer). The name describes where the printer puts the ink: on film, not on the shirt. That extra film step is what separates a DTF printer from a DTG printer, which prints straight onto the garment, and it is why DTF transfers can be printed in advance, stored, and pressed later.
A DTF printer can be a purpose-built machine with a white ink circulation system, or a desktop Epson printer converted to run DTF film and white ink. Printers range from A4 desktop units to 32-inch and wider roll-to-roll systems that feed an automatic powder shaker and dryer.
How Does a DTF Printer Work?
Every DTF printer follows the same five steps, whether the powder and curing are done by hand or inline. Roland describes the same sequence for its VersaStudio BY2-20.
- Prepare the artwork. The design is loaded into RIP software, which mirrors it and generates the white underbase layer the printer lays down behind the colors.
- Print onto film. The printer jets CMYK ink onto the coated side of PET transfer film, then a white layer on top of it. The white is what lets the design show on dark garments.
- Apply adhesive powder. Hot-melt adhesive powder is spread over the still-wet ink and the excess is shaken off. Desktop printers need this done by hand; production systems use an automatic powder shaker.
- Cure the powder. Heat from a curing oven, a heat press hovered over the film, or an inline dryer melts the powder into an adhesive layer. The cured film can be pressed right away or stored.
- Heat-press onto the garment. The transfer is pressed onto the fabric with heat and pressure, then the film is peeled away, leaving the ink and adhesive bonded to the garment.
Press temperature and time depend on the fabric. See the DTF temperature and time chart for settings by fabric, and the DTF process guide for the full workflow.
DTF Printer vs. DTG Printer vs. Sublimation Printer
| Printer type | Prints | Fabrics | Garment colors | Pretreatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF printer | Onto PET film, then heat-pressed | Cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, denim, rayon | Any garment color (white underbase) | No |
| DTG printer | Directly onto the garment | Best on cotton and high-cotton blends | Any color; dark garments need pretreatment | Yes, on dark garments |
| Sublimation printer | Onto sublimation paper, then heat-pressed into the fibers | Polyester and poly-coated blanks only | White or very light garments only (no white ink) | No |
Full breakdowns: DTF vs DTG and DTF vs sublimation. Hybrid printers such as the Epson SureColor F1070 print both DTG and DTF from one machine, as does Brother's GTX Pro series.
What Can You Print with a DTF Printer?
Because the adhesive does the bonding, DTF transfers are not tied to one fiber. Roland lists transfers for cotton, polyester blends, denim, nylon and rayon, and Brother describes strong adhesion across a wide range of fabrics for its DTRX100. Common uses include:
- T-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts in any color, including 100% cotton and 50/50 blends (see how DTF shirts are made)
- Polyester performance wear and team uniforms
- Hats, tote bags, denim and canvas
- Neck labels and small logos ganged on one sheet
Two caveats: dyed polyester can bleed into the print (see dye migration), and hard goods like mugs and tumblers use UV DTF, a different process with its own printers.
Do You Need a DTF Printer?
Not always. Many shops and print-on-demand sellers never own one. They order ready-to-press transfers and gang sheets from a supplier and only own a heat press. A printer tends to fit:
- Custom apparel shops with steady daily orders and same-day turnaround needs
- Small businesses that want control over color, reprints and scheduling
- Transfer sellers who print gang sheets for other decorators
White ink settles and clogs when a printer sits idle, so low or irregular volume usually favors ordering. Compare both routes in buy a DTF printer or order transfers, or browse DTF transfer suppliers.
How Much Does a DTF Printer Cost?
DTF printers run from about $899 for an A4 turn-key desktop unit to $39,995 for an industrial roll-to-roll system. Prices below are manufacturer list prices as of September 24, 2026.
| Tier | Example | Print width | List price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 turn-key desktop | Procolored L805 | 8.2 in | About $899 |
| 13-inch desktop | HTVRONT D2 | 13 in | $2,599 |
| Hybrid DTG + DTF | Epson SureColor F1070 | 10 x 12 in platen | $4,995 |
| Wide-format desktop | Roland VersaStudio BY2-20 | 18.89 in | $7,995 |
| Production roll-to-roll | Epson SureColor G6070 | 35.4 in | $14,995 |
| Industrial roll-to-roll | Brother DTRX100 | 31.5 in | $39,995 |
The printer is only part of the cost: film, ink, powder, a curing method and a heat press come on top. New to DTF? Start with the best DTF printers for beginners, see DTF printers under $1,000, or compare every model in the DTF printer database.
FAQs
What is a DTF printer?
A DTF (direct-to-film) printer is an inkjet printer that prints a design in water-based pigment ink, CMYK plus a white layer, onto clear PET film. The wet print is coated with hot-melt adhesive powder, cured with heat, then heat-pressed onto fabric. The transfer bonds to cotton, polyester and blends without pretreating the garment.
What else do you need besides a DTF printer?
A DTF printer also needs PET transfer film, DTF ink (CMYK plus white), hot-melt adhesive powder, a way to cure the powder (a curing oven or a heat press), RIP software to build the white underbase, and a heat press to apply transfers. Production systems bundle an automatic powder shaker and dryer.
Can a regular printer be used as a DTF printer?
Not as sold. A standard office inkjet has no white ink channel and no way to keep white ink circulating. Some Epson models, such as the L1800, L805 and ET-8550, are converted with DTF film trays and white-capable inks, but a conversion shifts setup and reliability onto the owner and usually voids the manufacturer warranty.
Do DTF prints need garment pretreatment?
No. The adhesive powder bonds the print to the fabric, so DTF transfers do not need the pretreatment spray that DTG printing uses on dark garments.
What is the difference between a DTF printer and a sublimation printer?
A DTF printer uses white ink and adhesive powder, so its transfers work on cotton, polyester and blends in any color. A sublimation printer has no white ink and its dye only bonds to polyester or poly-coated surfaces, so it is limited to white or light polyester garments and coated blanks.
Is it cheaper to buy a DTF printer or order DTF transfers?
For low or irregular volume, ordering ready-to-press DTF transfers from a supplier usually costs less, because there is no printer, powder, film or maintenance to pay for. Buying a printer starts to make sense when steady daily volume keeps it running, since white ink needs regular use and maintenance to avoid clogs.