Heat Transfers & DTF

Heat transfer printing is a versatile technique widely employed in the garment industry for decorating textiles and various surfaces. This process involves transferring designs, logos, or graphics from a carrier paper or film onto the desired substrate using heat and pressure. Whether it's custom apparel, promotional items, or personalized products, heat transfer printing offers a convenient and efficient way to add intricate designs to fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and blends. Explore the possibilities and applications of heat transfer printing with our comprehensive resources and expert insights.

To create custom heat transfers, begin by designing your artwork by using our online gang sheet builder and order with us.Once you receive the transfer, position the transfer paper onto your item whether it's a t-shirt or a tote bag. Apply heat and pressure using a heat press, then carefully peel off the transfer paper to reveal your custom design. Allow it to cool before handling or washing.

At Awkward Styles we offer a wide variety of custom transfers that fall under three main categories: screen printed transfers, digital screen printed transfers, and DTF (direct-to-film transfers). You can customize single image transfers or create gang sheets on select formulas.

DTF (Direct to Film) heat transfer is a printing method where designs are printed directly onto a special film using a DTF printer. This eliminates the need for transfer paper. The printed design is then cured and transferred directly onto the substrate using heat and pressure, resulting in vibrant and detailed prints.

Our minimum order quantities vary by transfer type. For example, the Active Sport Transfers with single-image designs have no minimums, offering flexibility. On the other hand, some gang sheets do have specified minimum order quantities.

Turnaround time for print-ready designs range from 48-72 hours. If your artwork is not print-ready (i.e. if you’d like to request art services), this can potentially add up to 48 hours onto your turnaround time. Delivery time varies and is separate from the above timeframes.

Yes, you can order our heat transfer sample packs from our website. This sample pack includes multiple designs from all of our transfer types.

For each transfer type, we have detailed video application instructions. You can also see application instructions in our gallery images and in our product pages.

Please submit all artwork in PNG or JPG with a resolution of 300 DPI for optimal print results. Please check artwork requirements on the product pages to make sure that your art file is suitable for transfer.

Screen printing directly applies ink through a mesh screen for vibrant and durable designs, suitable for large quantities. Heat transfers involve applying pre-printed designs on film using heat and pressure, offering flexibility for smaller quantities and intricate details. Both methods have unique advantages based on quantity and design complexity.

Direct-to-Film (DTF) requires a specific type of film to print the design on. Heat transfers, in a broader sense, include various methods of transferring designs to fabric using heat, such as iron-on transfers or screen-printed transfers

Heat transfer involves transferring a design onto a substrate using heat and pressure, typically employing transfer paper. In contrast, sublimation printing uses heat to transfer dye onto materials like polyester, where the dye molecules become part of the material, resulting in vibrant, permanent prints. While both methods use heat for transfer, sublimation is specific to materials with polyester content and offers superior durability and color vibrancy.

Heat transfer printing offers versatility in printing on various surfaces with vibrant colors and intricate designs. It's accessible and requires minimal equipment, making it suitable for small businesses and hobbyists. However, durability can vary, and heat transfer prints may not be as long-lasting as other methods like screen printing or direct-to-garment printing.