8 Common DTF Transfer Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
Most DTF problems are easy to fix once you know the cause. Here are the issues we see most often.
1. Not enough pressure
Edges lifting or the film pulling up ink usually means too little pressure. Use medium pressure and a pressing pillow on thick garments, seams and hoodies.
2. Wrong temperature
Press at 300-320°F (150-160°C). Many heat press displays are off by several degrees, so test on a scrap garment. See our heat press settings guide.
3. Peeling too early or too fast
Let the transfer cool for about 10 seconds and peel slowly and smoothly. If part of the design lifts, lay the film back down and press again.
4. Skipping the pre-press
Moisture and wrinkles in the fabric stop the transfer from bonding evenly. Pre-press the garment for about 5 seconds.
5. Low-resolution artwork
Blurry or pixelated prints almost always come from small images stretched to a large size. Use a 300 DPI transparent PNG at print size.
6. Background boxes in the file
If your file has a white or colored background, it prints. Remove backgrounds before uploading.
7. Wrong size for the garment
A print that is too big for a youth shirt or too small for a 3XL looks off. Use our DTF size chart.
8. Washing too soon or too hot
Wait 24 hours before the first wash, wash inside out in cold water and tumble dry low. Full details in our care instructions.
Still having trouble?
Contact us with a photo of the issue. If your order arrives with a printing defect, let us know within 7 days and we'll reprint or refund it.
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