Print method

Direct-to-film / DTF

The latest in digital printing technology, DTF or Direct-To-Film printing method is perfect for your low volume but highly-detailed designs. 


Direct - to - film (DTF) makes things more simple and often even cheaper as the number of design colors doesn’t affect the price. DTF also offers a superior print finish with its softer, screen - printing - like hand feel vs other digital print methods. It is also not resistant to stretching unlike the older heat transfer paper and vinyl print methods. Our use of only the most premium of consumables assures accurate colors and quality print finish for your shirts, hoodies, polo shirts and sweatshirts.

Minimum order requirements: None

Vs Screen-printing method

While direct to film printing method requires a bit more care with washing and ironing, it has a clear advantage over screen-printing when it comes to cost per piece for small volume orders without any compromise on color accuracy, as well as image quality and print texture finish. Unlike, screen-printing which has a minimum order requirement of 50 pcs per design, direct to film can be used for orders as low as a single piece of shirt or hoodie.


Another major aspect that dtf has over screen-printing is that the number of print color per design doesn't affect the print cost. Ex: while screen-printing in general is cheaper, a 50 pc shirt order with 20 colors will come out with a slightly lower price for dtf vs screen-printing.

Vs other digital print methods

When compared to almost all other digital print methods which don't have minimum order requirements, direct-to-film printing method most closely resembles the look and print finish of screen-printing with it's color vibrancy and it's thin and fairly smooth texture. In comparison with pigment heat transfer paper print method for example which one of the more common print methods available that doesn't have minimum order requirements, dtf doesn't have the tacky 'paper glued on shirt' feel that pigment heat transfer paper has. Unlike pigment heat transfer paper also, direct-to-film doesn't fade as easily, and likewise it won't end up having a brittle / 'crumply' feel on it's print area after several washes.


Versus sublimation print method meanwhile, while it has a clear edge when it comes to being 'unpeelable', conventional sublimation printing unlike dtf can only be used on solid white colored pure polyester fabric. Sublimation can never be used on fabric with high cotton content as it will not chemically bond with it. This is a game-changing limitation that direct-to-film doesn't have. Cotton, the most common material in shirts and hoodies, is known to be the more comfortable, soft and breathable fabric vs polyester.

Direct to film printing method on navy blue cotton shirt sj clothing manila philippines
Direct to film printing method on royal blue cotton shirt SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on black cotton fleece pull over hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on sports gray cotton fleece full zip hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on black cotton fleece full zip hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on black cotton round neck shirt SJ clothing Manila philippines
International School Manila Screen printing method on client order dark heather hoodies SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on sports gray cotton fleece pull-over hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on black cotton round neck shirt SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on black cotton fleece pull-over hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines
Direct to film printing method on navy blue cotton fleece pull-over hoodie SJ Clothing Co Manila Philippines

Photos are from actual client customized shirt and hoodie orders