DTF prints your design onto a special film, then heat-presses it onto the garment — full color, no setup fee, and it works on nearly any fabric or color.
Indy Custom Apparel connects Indianapolis-area customers with independent custom apparel providers. We don't own or operate a print shop — pricing, production and turnaround are set by the provider handling your order. See how it works →
We'd rather tell you upfront where this method doesn't make sense than match you to the wrong provider.
✓ Orders under 24-50 pieces
✓ Full-color, gradient or photo-based designs
✓ Dark garments (white underbase built in automatically)
✓ Poly-blend and performance fabrics
✕ Per-piece cost doesn't drop as sharply at high volume as screen printing does
✕ Transfer film has a slight hand-feel compared to screen ink
✕ Quality varies more by provider than with screen printing
✕ Very large full-back designs can take longer to press correctly
Because DTF doesn't require separate screens per color, a gradient photo costs the same to produce as a single-color logo. This makes it the default choice for anyone whose design isn't a simple 1-2 color graphic.
DTF works reliably on cotton, poly-blends and performance fabric alike. DTG is best reserved for cotton or cotton-heavy blends, where it produces a slightly softer finish. If your order mixes fabric types, DTF is the safer default.
Garment type, quantity and design.
Your project matched to a provider suited to dtf printing.
A qualified provider reaches out with pricing.
Proofs and production handled directly by that provider.
No — Indy Custom Apparel is a matching service. We connect you with a qualified Indianapolis-area provider whose equipment fits your project. Production, pricing and turnaround are handled by that provider.
When applied correctly, DTF holds up well through regular washing — comparable to good screen printing. Provider quality matters more here than with screen printing, which is part of why matching helps.
Yes — unlike DTG, DTF performs reliably on poly-blend and performance fabric, not just cotton.
Free to submit. No obligation until you approve a quote from a matched provider.
