Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfer is a modern textile-decoration process that combines the sharp detail of digital printing with the versatility of heat-press transfers, allowing full-color designs to be permanently bonded to a wide variety of fabrics. Instead of printing directly onto a shirt like DTG (direct-to-garment), DTF begins by outputting the design in high resolution onto a clear PET film using a specialized inkjet printer loaded with pigment-based CMYK inks and a heavy layer of opaque white ink. While the ink is still tacky, a finely ground adhesive powder—often referred to as hot-melt or TPU powder—is evenly applied across the printed image and the excess is shaken away. The coated film is then heat-cured, typically in a conveyor oven or under a heat press without pressure, until the powder melts and fuses to the ink, forming a thin, flexible adhesive layer. This cured sheet can be used immediately or stored flat for later use. To decorate a garment, the prepared transfer is positioned on cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, or even more challenging substrates like canvas or treated leather, and pressed under a commercial heat press (commonly around 300–325 °F / 150–160 °C for 10–20 seconds, though exact settings vary by film and ink). After pressing, the PET film is peeled away—either while hot or after cooling, depending on the film type—and many printers finish with a quick second press to smooth the surface and lock in durability. The result is a soft-hand, full-color print with crisp edges and excellent stretch and wash resistance, comparable to or better than traditional screen printing but without screens, color separations, or minimum order quantities. Because DTF transfers can be produced in advance, stored, and heat-applied on demand, they are ideal for small businesses and custom-apparel brands that need short runs, one-off personalization, or rapid fulfillment across multiple product types, making DTF one of the fastest-growing methods in today’s garment-printing industry.