DTF & UV DTF Printing: Frequently Asked Questions

DTF stands for direct to film. Your design is printed onto transfer film and then applied to fabric using a heat press. It allows detailed, full-colour artwork to be prepared as a transfer before it is pressed onto a garment.

DTF transfers are primarily used for fabric products such as T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and other suitable garments. The fabric and its ability to tolerate the required heat and pressure should be checked before pressing.

DTF can be used on many cotton, polyester and blended fabrics. Results depend on the garment and the transfer’s application settings, so test unfamiliar or heat-sensitive fabrics before producing a full run.

Yes. DTF printing can include a white layer beneath the coloured design, helping the artwork remain visible on dark garments.

A transfer-only order gives you printed film to apply to your own garments. A finished-clothing order includes the garment and its application. Buzz Branding offers both product options.

DTF is useful for detailed, multicolour designs and smaller or mixed-design runs. Screen printing can be economical for large runs of a consistent design; vinyl often involves cutting and weeding; and conventional sublimation has different fabric and colour requirements. The best choice depends on the garment, artwork and quantity.

A heat press is recommended because it provides more consistent heat and pressure across the design. Follow the instructions supplied with your Buzz transfers.

A household iron may heat unevenly and makes pressure difficult to control. For reliable results, use a suitable heat press; if you do not have one, ask Buzz about a finished-garment option.

Position the transfer on a suitable garment and press it using the instructions supplied with that specific film. Peel it only at the stage those instructions specify; hot-peel and cold-peel films are handled differently. Confirm with us at the time of receiving your order whether we have supplied you with “Hot-Peel or Cold-Peel” film.

Allow the print to settle before its first wash, turn the garment inside out, use a gentle wash and avoid ironing directly over the design. Follow the care label on the garment and the instructions supplied with the transfer.

Possible causes include insufficient heat or pressure, uneven pressing, an unsuitable fabric, moisture in the garment or peeling at the wrong stage. Check the supplied application instructions and test your press settings on a spare garment before repeating a large run.

Keep them flat in a clean, dry place, away from excessive heat, moisture and direct sunlight. Avoid creasing or rubbing the printed surface.

A gang sheet places multiple designs on one length of film. It is a practical way to print several logos, sizes or pieces of artwork together while using the available sheet space efficiently.

Choose your sheet, upload your artwork, size and arrange the designs, then review the layout before ordering. Check each design’s physical dimensions carefully: the size shown in the builder determines its intended printed size.

Yes. You can arrange different designs on the same sheet, provided they fit within the printable area and have enough space between them for cutting and application.

Yes. Duplicate the artwork in the builder and set each copy to the size needed for its garment or placement.

The online builders require a minimum sheet length of 500 mm. Pricing uses the selected length and the product’s per-metre rate, subject to the product’s minimum charge shown in the builder and at checkout. Ordering a length below 500 mm is not available in the builder.

The available width and lengths are shown when you select a product. Current production settings use a printable width of 560 mm for DTF (lengths 500–5,000 mm) and 280 mm for UV DTF (lengths 500–3,000 mm), with 3 mm spacing between separate designs.

Leave enough room to cut each transfer without touching the neighbouring artwork. Keep all designs within the builder’s printable boundary.

Use a file type accepted by the builder and choose the highest-quality original artwork available. A transparent PNG is often useful for artwork with no background.

If you want only the design printed, supply artwork without an unwanted background. A white rectangle in an image can become part of the printed transfer rather than disappearing automatically.

Artwork must contain enough detail for the physical size you choose. Enlarging a small image in the builder will not restore lost quality. Aim for high-resolution artwork at its final printed dimensions, and ask for an artwork check if you are unsure. All PNGs should be supplied at 300 dpi minimum.

Upload the design in the orientation you want it to appear on the finished garment unless Buzz’s builder specifically instructs otherwise. The production process should handle any required mirroring.

DTF can reproduce full-colour artwork and white elements, but very fine lines, tiny text and partly transparent edges may need adjustment. Review intricate designs at their actual print size and consider a test print for important work.

If your file needs background removal, resizing or other preparation, contact Buzz before ordering as an artwork fee will be charged.

Check your spelling, sizes, quantities and layout before submitting your order. We do check it too, but remember, we do not know what your desired outcome is, so we don’t always know what you expect.

Screens display colour using light, while a print depends on inks, the printing process and the garment beneath it. Screen settings also vary. For a critical brand colour, discuss a physical sample or test print before ordering a large quantity.

UV DTF produces a printed transfer that can be applied to a suitable hard surface. Unlike garment DTF, it does not need a heat press for application.

Choose garment DTF for suitable fabrics that will be heat pressed. Choose UV DTF for compatible hard surfaces such as certain bottles, mugs, glassware and promotional items. The transfers are made and applied differently; they are not interchangeable.

Smooth, clean, non-porous hard surfaces are generally the best candidates. Adhesion varies by material and finish, so test the actual product before committing to a large run.

These are common UV DTF applications when the surface is suitable and prepared correctly. Coatings, textured finishes and some plastics can affect adhesion, so test the exact item you plan to brand.

Often, yes. Measure the available area and check how sharply the surface curves or tapers. Large or intricate designs can be more difficult to place smoothly on a strongly curved item.

Smooth, rigid, non-porous surfaces generally give the most predictable result. Texture, porosity and flexing can reduce contact or cause the design to lift. Test an actual sample before ordering in quantity.

UV DTF is intended primarily for suitable hard surfaces. For T-shirts, hoodies and other fabric items, choose a garment DTF transfer instead.

They do not need a heat press. You do need a clean, dry surface and careful, even pressure when placing the design and removing its transfer film.

Clean and dry the surface, align the decal before exposing all of the adhesive, and apply it gradually from one side. Rub the design down evenly, then remove the transfer film carefully.

Treat placement as permanent. UV DTF adhesive can grip quickly, and lifting a partially applied design may damage or distort it. Align it carefully before pressing it down.

Removal depends on the surface, its coating and how long the decal has been applied. Work carefully and test any heat or adhesive remover in an inconspicuous area first; these methods can damage some finishes.

UV DTF decals can resist water once correctly applied to a suitable surface, but performance depends on the materials, surface and use. Water resistance should not be taken to mean that an item is dishwasher safe. You should never put UV DTF prints into boiling water or the dishwasher.

Yes. Outdoor life depends on sunlight, weather exposure, the surface and the particular ink and film.

Do not assume that it can. Heat, detergents and repeated washing may affect the decal, and the decorated product has its own limitations. Until Buzz has tested and approved a specific application, advise customers to hand-wash decorated drinkware and avoid microwaving it.

Do not place it where food or a person’s mouth will make direct contact unless the complete application has been assessed and confirmed suitable for that use. Keep decorative branding away from the drinking rim and interior of a vessel.

Clean it gently by hand with a soft cloth and mild washing-up liquid. Avoid scraping the design or using abrasive pads.

The adhesive may need time to reach its intended bond after application.

Their life depends on the surface, application and exposure to washing, abrasion, weather and sunlight.

It is a sheet containing multiple UV DTF designs arranged together. You cut out and apply each decal separately to a suitable hard-surface item.

Yes, provided each design fits within the printable area and has enough separation for cutting and application. Check each design’s size before submitting the sheet.

Buzz’s flexible-length ordering is designed to accommodate shorter sheets. Yes, the minimum you can order is half a metre.

PNG. Start with clear, high-resolution artwork at the size you intend to print. Use a transparent background if you do not want a visible background shape around the design.

The limit depends on the artwork, printing process and how well tiny pieces transfer and adhere. Avoid designs that rely on extremely thin strokes or isolated dots; request a sample for intricate artwork.

UV DTF processes can include white ink to make parts of a design visible on dark or transparent surfaces.

You can use the UV DTF builder to order transfers for your own application.

The builder displays the price for the sheet and options selected before checkout.

The builder shows the smallest sheet available to order.

Production time begins once payment and print-ready artwork have been received and any required artwork issues are resolved.

If you have a deadline, contact Buzz before placing the order so availability can be checked. That said, Buzz Branding offers fast, reliable turnaround times.

We deliver across South Africa. Estimated courier transit times after dispatch are 1–2 working days for major centres and approximately 2–3 working days for other locations, depending on the area. Production time is separate. See our delivery page for details.

Yes. We do offer test samples.

Yes, we offer trade pricing, but this can be negotiated with our sales team. The percentage depends on quantity ordered.

Contact Buzz as soon as you notice the problem and include your order number. Whether a change is possible depends on whether production has started.