How to press DTF transfers
Settings for a heat press, a Cricut EasyPress or a household iron, step by step, with fixes for the usual problems.
What you need
- Your transfers
- A heat press, a Cricut EasyPress or a household iron
- Parchment paper or a Teflon sheet
- Scissors and a ruler
- A firm, flat surface to press on
Heat, time and pressure
Heat press
- Heat
- 300–315 °F
- Time
- 10–15 s
- Pressure
- Medium to firm
- Peel
- Warm or cold, then press again 5 s under parchment
Cricut EasyPress
- Heat
- 320–340 °F
- Time
- 20 s
- Pressure
- Firm: lean your body weight on it
- Peel
- Let it cool, peel slowly, press again 10 s under parchment
Household iron
- Heat
- Cotton setting, no steam
- Time
- 30–40 s per spot
- Pressure
- Both hands, firm; do not slide
- Peel
- Cold, then press again through parchment
For cotton, polyester and blends. Polyester can bleed its dye into the print when it gets too hot: press at the low end of the range. Your order confirms the settings for the film we printed on.
Step by step
Cut the design out with a quarter inch of clear film around it.
Pre-press the garment for 5 seconds. It takes out moisture and wrinkles, which is what makes transfers lift later.
Place the transfer printed side down. The design reads correctly through the film. Use a ruler: an adult front usually sits 3 to 4 inches below the collar.
Press at the heat, time and pressure for your tool above. Press straight down; don’t slide an iron.
Peel the film when the settings for your tool say: warm or cold. How to peel is just below.
Press again for 5 to 10 seconds with parchment paper or a Teflon sheet on top. It sets the ink into the fabric and gives it a soft, matte finish.
Peeling the film
- Peel slowly from one corner, keeping the film low and flat against the fabric.
- If ink lifts with the film, lay it back down, press again for 5 seconds and let it cool longer before you peel.
- Always finish with the second press under parchment. It takes away the shine.
Washing and care
- Wait 24 hours before the first wash.
- Turn the garment inside out and wash it cold.
- Tumble dry low, or hang it to dry.
- Don’t iron right on the print. If you need to, iron through parchment.
If something goes wrong
Edges are lifting
Press again for 10 seconds with parchment on top and more pressure. Most lifting comes from too little pressure or a garment that was not pre-pressed.
The film won’t let go
Let it cool all the way and peel slowly at a low angle.
The print looks shiny or plastic
Give it the second press with parchment on top.
Colors bled on a polyester shirt
That is dye from the fabric. Press cooler, around 270 to 285 °F, for a little longer.
Still stuck? Call (424) 570-0185 or bring the shirt in. We’ll look at it with you.