Why Businesses Are Switching from Screen Printing to DTF

Screen printing has been the go-to method for custom apparel for decades. But as trends shift and businesses demand more flexibility, speed, and color capability, many are making the switch to Direct to Film (DTF) printing. Why? Because DTF solves nearly every major challenge of traditional screen printing—and opens the door to better profit margins, less waste, and unlimited creativity.

Whether you’re a T-shirt startup in Texas, an event merch supplier in California, or a growing print-on-demand brand, here’s why so many businesses are choosing DTF printing as their new standard.

What Is DTF (Direct to Film) Printing?

DTF is a modern heat transfer printing method that prints full-color designs onto a special film, coats the back with adhesive powder, cures the print, and allows you to press it directly onto garments with a heat press.

The result? A soft-feel, durable, full-color transfer that works on cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, and more—without the setup or limitations of screen printing.

🛒 Try It Now:

  • Build Your Own Gang Sheet – 22" All Sizes

  • Upload Ready DTF Gang Sheet

  • Build Your UV DTF Gang Sheet (for hard surfaces like mugs and tumblers)

  • Upload Ready UV DTF Gang Sheet

Why Businesses Are Ditching Screen Printing for DTF

  1. No Setup = No Downtime
    Screen printing requires screens, ink prep, alignment, and test prints. That means setup time and labor before you print your first shirt.

✅ DTF printing eliminates all of that. Just upload your design and we print it for you. Perfect for short runs and quick jobs.

  1. Unlimited Colors at No Extra Cost
    Each screen in traditional printing adds to your cost. More colors = more screens = more time and money.

✅ DTF prints use full-color CMYK+White ink—so gradients, photos, and vivid designs are standard at no extra cost.

  1. Print Any Fabric, Any Color
    Screen printing works best on 100% cotton. Polyester, blends, and dark fabrics often require special treatment.

✅ DTF works on cotton, poly, tri-blends, fleece, canvas, and more—light or dark. No pretreatment needed.

  1. No Minimum Orders
    Screen printers often require minimums to justify setup time and costs.

✅ With DTF, you can order just one sheet or one design. It’s affordable and scalable—great for small businesses and print-on-demand sellers.

  1. Easy Gang Sheet Printing
    You can gang multiple designs (logos, labels, full-size prints) onto one sheet and cut them as needed.

✅ Shop gang sheets in all sizes:
22x12", 22x24", 22x36", 22x60", 22x84", 22x120"+

Start with: Build Your Own Gang Sheet

  1. Faster Turnaround
    Screen printing often takes days or weeks, especially during busy seasons.

✅ At Express DTF Supply, most DTF orders ship within 24–48 hours—with same-day processing available for early orders.

  1. Cleaner Workspace
    Say goodbye to messy ink, drying racks, and screen storage.

✅ DTF lets you outsource printing and only handle heat pressing—saving space and cleanup time.

How to Apply a DTF Transfer

Using a heat press, it’s simple:

  • Temp: 305°F (150°C)

  • Press Time: 10–12 seconds

  • Pressure: Medium to High

  • Peel: Hot or Cold

  • Optional: Repress with parchment paper for extra durability

That’s it! The results are durable, stretch-resistant, and washer-safe up to 50+ cycles.

Why This Matters for Your Business

  • You can launch products faster

  • Offer unlimited colors and design options

  • Accept custom and one-off orders

  • Eliminate large up-front inventory

  • Grow without buying expensive equipment

Don’t just take our word for it:

⭐ “We went from screen printing everything to DTF—our production time dropped and our design options exploded.”
⭐ “Now we can sell full-color T-shirts with no upfront stock. It changed our whole business model.”
⭐ “Perfect for Etsy sellers and event shirts. DTF helps us offer more with less.”

Ready to Switch?

🛒 Upload Ready DTF Gang Sheet
🛒 Build Your Own Gang Sheet
🛒 Upload Ready UV DTF Gang Sheet
🛒 Build Your UV DTF Gang Sheet

📖 Learn more on our FAQs
📞 Need help? Contact Us for layout tips or bulk pricing
📄 About Us – Learn why Express DTF Supply is trusted by businesses nationwide

Whether you're replacing your in-house screen printing system or just looking for a more flexible, scalable method to handle growing orders, DTF printing is the smarter way forward.