Press Instructions
How to press your DTF transfers
DTF transfers are press-ready when they arrive. No cutting, no weeding — position, press, peel, then press again.
Settings by fabric
| Fabric | Temperature | Time | Pressure |
| Cotton & cotton blends | 150–160°C (300–320°F) | 10–15 sec | Firm, 60–80 psi |
| Polyester, sports mesh, hi vis | 130–140°C (265–285°F) | 8–12 sec | Medium, 40–60 psi |
| Canvas, denim, heavy fleece | Top of the cotton range | 12–15 sec | Firm |
| Sublimated or dark polyester | Bottom of the poly range | 8–10 sec | Medium |
| Nylon, neoprene, coated fabrics | 110–120°C (230–250°F) | 6–8 sec | Light — test a scrap first |
Adjust within the ranges to suit your press and your fabric — every machine reads temperature a little differently, and even pressure matters more than the last five degrees. For anything unusual, start at the low end and work up.
Step by step
- Pre-press the garment — 5 seconds with no transfer, to drive off moisture and flatten wrinkles
- Position the transfer — printed side down on the fabric, film side facing up at you
- Press at the setting for your fabric, with firm even pressure across the whole design
- Peel — hot or cold, both work with our film. Pull slowly and smoothly in one motion. The film comes away, your design stays on the fabric
- Second press — cover the design with baking paper or a Teflon sheet and press again for 8–12 seconds. This step is not optional: it is what gives you the wash durability and the soft hand feel. Baking paper leaves a matte finish, a Teflon sheet a slight gloss.
Wash care
- Wait 24 hours after pressing before the first wash
- Wash inside out in cold water, gentle cycle
- No bleach, no fabric softener, no dry cleaning
- Hang dry, or tumble dry on low
- Never iron directly on the print — iron inside out
- 50+ wash cycles with no cracking or fading when pressed correctly
Troubleshooting
Transfer not sticking, or lifting at the edges? Add pressure before you add heat — uneven or light pressure is the most common cause by far. If it still lifts, re-press 5°C hotter for a few seconds longer. Multiple presses won’t damage the transfer.
Edges peeling after the first wash? The second press was skipped or too short. Re-press for 10 seconds through baking paper.
Cracking when the fabric is stretched? Under-pressed. Re-press at higher pressure.
White areas turning pink or yellow on polyester? That is dye migration — the temperature was too high for the fabric. Drop to 130°C and press a little longer instead.
Print looks shiny and you don’t want it to? Do the second press through baking paper rather than Teflon.
Still stuck? Email hello@dtfmotion.com.au with photos and we’ll diagnose it with you.
Before a production run
Always press one test piece on the actual garment you’re using, at the setting you plan to run. Ten seconds of testing beats a box of ruined shirts.