DTF Printing for Apparel: Answering Frequently Asked Questions!

You’ve done your research on DTF printing for apparel and you’re finally ready to buy a DTF printer!

While you know a lot about what to expect, some questions still linger. Finding solid, nuanced answers can be challenging.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place on the internet. Here, we’ll give it our all to answer any remaining questions. By the time we’re done, you should have all the information you need.

As a teaser, here are some questions we’ll cover today:

How long does a DTF print last on a shirt?
How much does DTF cost per shirt?
How durable is a DTF print?
Can DTF be used on any fabric?
How big is the DTF printing market?
Is DTF printing profitable?
How do I prepare artwork and designs for DTF printing?
Where to buy a DTF printer and supplies?

If this sounds like what you need, keep on reading.

How Long Does a DTF Print Last On a Shirt?

In no particular order, the first question most people are likely to ask is: how long does a DTF print last on a shirt?

And the answer to this is under which conditions you (or your customers) will use these DTF prints?

To explain better, how you handle the garment will directly affect how long your prints last. How many wash cycles will you put them through, and what weather conditions will they be exposed to?

But, to give you some rough numbers, under ideal (and favorable) conditions, a DTF print on a shirt can last for 50-100 washes without significant fading or cracking.

That would give you one to two (or more) years of regular weekly use and washing.

That brings us to the next question: how much does it cost to produce transfers, and for how much can I sell them for?

How Much Does DTF Cost Per Shirt?

Short answer: $0.69 or thereabouts!

If you want to see how we arrived at this number, take a look at the video below. In it, we perform a simulation and go through it in real time using real products, supplies, and equipment to give you an accurate view of running and supply costs for each printed DTF shirt.

For an even more detailed breakdown, be sure to read this ROI study.

How Durable is a DTF Print?

The answer to this question is a simple one.

As you come to learn, DTF (direct-to-film) prints can last for 100 (or over) wash cycles and endure everyday wear without cracking, fading, or peeling. Plus these prints maintain their color (and appearance) well over time.

The combination of all of this makes DTF prints extremely durable, provided you follow proper application and care instructions, as well as use quality materials.

This ties in with another point we wanted to talk about, and that is, on what type of fabrics can you apply DTF transfers.

Can DTF Be Used On Any Fabric?

The next technical question is whether DTF can be used on any fabric.

It’s a good question, and you’ll be pleased to hear that DTF can be applied to a wide range of materials.

To give you a brief overview, it’s compatible with cotton, nylon, denim, treated leather, linen, rayon, polyester, 50/50 blends, and more, including both light and dark fabrics.

Expanding on that, let’s put our thumb on the market to have a feel for the scale of it.

How Big is The DTF Printing Market?

The big question is how large the DTF market is and who the likely buyers could be for your custom creations.

To put it in perspective for you, DTF printing is a global market. Which means, the whole world is at your feet! You can sell locally or internationally, right from wherever you are. The buyers? Anyone who wants one of your custom clothing pieces.

It’s also worth mentioning that the DTF printing market is on track for continuous growth. With each passing year, this method of printing gets bigger and more diversified, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

That brings to mind the money-making potential of DTF sales.

Is DTF Printing Profitable?

We touched upon this point earlier in the article, using a shirt as an example to calculate production costs and potential profits. In the end, we made a nice profit on our original investment.

So, the answer is yes, DTF printing is profitable. And that was just one example. Think about all of the other things you could be making with a DTF printer: hoodies, jackets, sweaters, bags, hats, just to get your mind going.

With DTF, the possibilities are endless. You can bring your wildest ideas to life in a matter of minutes and sell them online to buyers who seem interested.

And the profit margins can be much higher if you focus on who your target customer (niche) is, what they want and need, and what they are willing to pay big bucks for.

Adding to that, the type of design you press onto a blank is arguably more important than anything else. So, let’s talk about that next.

How Do I Prepare Artwork and Designs for DTF Printing?

A good design is one that customers can relate to and are attracted to visually. And it’s your job to either find one of those designs online from marketplace sellers… or… make one yourself using graphic softwares from the likes of Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or alike.

If you decide to DIY it, the most important rule to follow (and keep in mind) is to work with vectors whenever possible. While you can still print DTF transfers using bitmap images as a source, they’re not as flexible as vectors are. Vectors can be scaled up and down at any time without loss in quality, which is why it has come to be regarded as the go-to output file format for design work.

Where to Buy a DTF Printer and Supplies?

A key element of a successful decoration business is where they get their supplies, equipment, tools, accessories, and other essentials. It’s crucial to have a reliable partner who can provide you with high-quality products and raw materials.

We’re that kind of company! We can match you up with nearly anything that your business needs! That includes, but is not limited to, DTF printers, films, inks, powder, heat presses, as well as wholesale blanks.

Here, have a look around our shop, and see what you can get.

For one-on-one help simply call 877-793-3278 or live chat with one of our pros!