The short version: send a PNG with a transparent background at 300 DPI, sized to the exact print size you want, with nothing closer than 1cm to the sheet edge. That file prints perfectly on DTF film every time. Everything below explains why, and what to do when your file is not that.
Accepted file formats
| Format | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Everything, the recommended format | Transparent background, 300 DPI, RGB colour |
| Vector logos and text from Illustrator or Affinity | Convert text to outlines, embed images, flatten transparency | |
| AI or SVG | Vector artwork | Outline fonts, no linked files |
| JPG | Photos with a solid rectangular shape | No transparency, so the whole rectangle prints, including white areas |
Exact pixel sizes for each sheet
DTF is printed at 300 dots per inch. Set your canvas to these pixel sizes and the print will be sharp at full size.
| Sheet | Size in cm | Pixels at 300 DPI | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A5 | 14.8 x 21 | 1748 x 2480 | Left-chest logos, kids prints, labels |
| A4 | 21 x 29.7 | 2480 x 3508 | Adult chest prints, tote panels |
| A3 | 29.7 x 42 | 3508 x 4961 | Adult full back prints, oversized fronts |
| 1 metre | 58 x 100 | 6850 x 11811 | Gang sheets, banners, all-over prints |
A file smaller than this still prints, but detail softens as it is enlarged. A 1000 pixel wide logo printed at 20cm wide is only 127 DPI, which looks soft at arm’s length. Below 150 DPI we will contact you before printing.
Transparency and white
- Anything that is not transparent in your file is printed, including white. A white box behind a logo will print as a white box.
- White areas inside your design are printed with white ink, so white text on a black shirt works perfectly.
- Semi-transparent pixels, soft shadows and glows print with a white underbase and can look like a pale halo on dark garments. Use hard edges, or flatten effects onto a solid shape.
Colour
- Work in RGB. Our print software converts to the printer’s CMYK plus white profile; converting yourself in Photoshop usually dulls the colours.
- Neon, metallic and fluorescent colours cannot be printed with CMYK ink. The nearest printable shade is used.
- Very dark colours on black garments disappear. Lift them one or two shades, or add a light keyline.
- Large solid areas print evenly. Leave small gaps or a halftone in very big fills to keep the print lighter to wear.
Line weight and text
- Minimum line thickness 1mm (about 12 pixels at 300 DPI). Thinner lines can break during pressing.
- Minimum text size 6pt. Fine serif fonts should be heavier than that.
- Isolated dots and specks smaller than 2mm may not transfer, so clean up stray pixels.
Gang sheet layouts
- Leave at least 5mm between designs so they can be cut apart cleanly, and 1cm from the sheet edge.
- Do not mirror the artwork. DTF transfers are printed the right way round and pressed face down.
- Group designs for the same garment colour on the same sheet. It speeds up pressing.
- If you would rather not arrange the sheet yourself, upload the designs separately in the gang sheet builder and it nests them for you.
The five mistakes that cause most reprints
- A JPG or a PNG with a white background, so a white rectangle prints around the logo.
- A screenshot or a web image at 72 DPI enlarged to print size.
- Drop shadows and glows left on, which print as a white haze on dark shirts.
- Text left as live fonts in a PDF, which substitutes to a different typeface.
- Artwork sized to the sheet rather than to the print, so a 10cm logo arrives filling an A3 sheet.
Pre-upload checklist
- PNG, transparent background, 300 DPI, RGB
- Canvas set to the sheet size, artwork sized to the finished print size
- No shadows, glows or semi-transparent effects on dark-garment designs
- Lines at least 1mm, text at least 6pt
- At least 5mm between designs, 1cm from the edge, nothing mirrored
Artwork FAQ
Can you fix my file for me?
Simple fixes such as removing a white background, resizing or adding a keyline are free. Email the file to info@wisedtfprints.com with the print size you need. Redrawing a low-resolution logo as vector is quoted separately.
Do you check files before printing?
Yes. Every order is checked by a printer for resolution, transparency and edge margins. If something will not print well we contact you before it goes on the press, which is why orders with clean files ship fastest.
What colour profile should I embed?
sRGB. It is the default in Photoshop, Canva, Procreate and most phone apps.
Can I print a photo?
Yes. Photos print well on DTF. Supply them at 300 DPI at print size, and cut them to a shape with a transparent background if you do not want a rectangle.
Ready to order? Start with custom DTF transfers for one design per sheet, or a DTF gang sheet for several designs on one sheet. Pressing and washing advice is in the FAQs.
Written and checked by the Wise DTF Prints production team, Putney, London. Updated October 2026.
