How to Prepare Artwork for DTF Transfers

Great DTF transfers start with a great file. The good news: you don't need to be a designer. A few simple habits keep your artwork sharp, your colors true and your order moving smoothly. Here is what we recommend before you upload.

Start with a transparent background

DTF prints exactly what is in your file. If your design sits on a white or colored background, that background prints as a solid block around it. Save your artwork as a PNG with a transparent background. If you only have a JPG, remove the background first; most design tools and free background removers can do it in a click.

Build it at 300 DPI at the final size

Sharp prints need enough pixels. A simple rule: multiply the size in inches by 300.

• 2 in wide → 600 pixels
• 4 in wide → 1,200 pixels
• 8 in wide → 2,400 pixels
• 12 in wide → 3,600 pixels

A small image stretched up looks soft, while a large image scaled down stays crisp. If in doubt, work bigger than you need.

Don't mirror your design

Upload your design the way you want it to read on the shirt. We handle the print setup on our side, including mirroring and white ink.

Watch out for fine details

Hairline strokes and very small text are hard to reproduce. A good test: if you can barely read it on screen at the real size, it will be hard to read in print. Soft shadows, glows and semi-transparent edges also fade into transparency, so preview your design on both a dark and a light background.

Check your colors

Screens glow; ink doesn't. Very bright neon and highly saturated tones can look a little different in print than on your monitor. Design in RGB, and remember that we print the file exactly as you upload it, so check your colors carefully before you order.

Leave breathing room

If you are placing several designs on one sheet, keep a small, even gap between them so each transfer can be cut and pressed cleanly.

Quick checklist

• Transparent PNG
• 300 DPI at the final size
• Not mirrored
• No tiny text or hairlines
• Previewed on dark and light backgrounds
• Small gap between designs

FAQ

What file type is best for DTF?

A transparent PNG at 300 DPI at the final size. If you work in vector, export a PNG at the size you want to print.

Do you review my file before printing?

We print the file you upload, or the design you build in our designer, so please review it carefully before you order. The checklist above is a quick way to do it.

Do I need to flip my design?

No. Upload it as it should look on the garment and we take care of the rest.

Ready to print? Upload your designs on DTF Transfers by Size or build a gang sheet.