Direct To Film (DTF) Printing in Malaysia for Custom Shirts
DTF PRINTING
One Method That Handles Detailed Artwork on Almost Any Fabric
DTF stands for Direct To Film. Artwork is printed onto a clear PET film with water-based ink, coated with adhesive powder, cured, then heat-pressed onto the garment. Because the design transfers from film rather than bonding with the fibre, DTF works on cotton, polyester, blends and denim, on light and dark garments alike, with no pre-treatment.
DTF film printing takes its name from that PET film stage. The flexibility it gives is what makes the method practical when the artwork is detailed, the colour count is high, or the run is too small to justify screen set-up. Common artwork problems and how to avoid them are covered in the T-shirt printing challenges guide.
Production timing from the current service page:
- Sampling: 2–3 working days
- Mass Production: 3 to 5 working days, depending on order size
Esping runs its DTF printing service from its Petaling Jaya factory at 17 Jalan SS25/24, Taman Mayang, supporting businesses and individuals across the Klang Valley, with delivery available nationwide.
MOQ AND PRICE GUIDE
DTF Printing Minimum Order and Price by Print Size
DTF printing has no minimum order quantity, and the price per piece follows the print size. The rates below are starting prices, subject to design, size, colour and quantity.
Minimum Order Quantity
DTF printing
No minimum
Good for
Samples, personalised names and short runs, from a single piece
| Print size | Price per piece (starting from) |
|---|---|
|
A5 |
RM4 per piece |
|
A4 |
RM8 per piece |
|
A3 |
RM12 per piece |
|
A2 |
RM15 per piece |
|
Colour printing |
RM18 per piece |
Prices are per piece and start from the rates shown. The final quotation is subject to design, size, colour and quantity.
How it works
The Six Stages of DTF Printing at Esping
Naming each stage matters because the difference between a DTF print that lasts and one that lifts at the edges is almost always in the powder and curing steps.
DTF
6 PRODUCTIONSTAGES
Design Preparation
Artwork is checked for resolution, size and background, and adjusted so fine detail holds at the finished print size.
Film Printing
The design is printed in reverse onto clear PET film using water-based ink, with a white ink layer behind the colours.
Powder Coating
Hot-melt adhesive powder is applied across the wet ink while it is still receptive.
Curing
The coated film passes through heat so the powder melts into the ink layer and the transfer becomes stable.
Heat Press Transfer
The film is pressed onto the garment under controlled heat and pressure, then peeled once cool.
Final Check
Each piece is inspected for coverage, edge quality and adhesion before packing.
Which Fabrics and Garments DTF Suits
DTF is the most fabric-tolerant of the four methods Esping runs, but there are still cases where another route is better.
DTF handles almost anything, including dark cotton. The two exceptions are very stretchy fabric and coated or water-repellent garments.
Cotton, light or dark
Full colour with a white underbase, and no pre-treatment step. The standard DTF use case.
Polyester and blends
Works across the blend range, which helps when one design has to run on several fabric types in the same order.
Denim and canvas
Suitable, and a good fit for jackets, aprons and tote bags.
High-stretch performance fabric
Very stretchy fabric can move against the transfer layer, so check the garment before ordering.
Water-repellent or coated garments
The surface coating limits how well the adhesive can bond to the fabric.
Design Ideas Produced With Direct To Film
Company logos, illustrations, typography and full-colour graphics all transfer cleanly, which is why DTF suits merchandise and event apparel as well as staff shirts. Completed work is documented in the custom T-shirt case study.
Illustration and character artwork
Text designs with icon detail
Quote and typography prints
Full-colour creative artwork
Types of Heat Transfer Printing at Esping
Heat transfer covers more than one process. Each suits a different fabric and a different kind of design.
Sublimation Printing
Heat turns the ink into a gas that bonds with polyester, dri-fit and quick-dry fabric. The finish is soft and smooth, which suits sportswear and activewear.
DTF Transfer Printing
Works on most fabrics, cotton and polyester included. One film is used for light shirts and another for dark, which is what makes it suitable for colourful, detailed designs.
Vinyl Printing
The design is cut from vinyl and pressed onto the shirt. Best for one-colour work and special finishes such as glitter or glow-in-the-dark, and for names, numbers and bold text.
Advantages of DTF Printing
Four reasons DTF is the method Esping recommends most often for detailed artwork, short runs and mixed-fabric orders.
Sharp Detail
Gradients, small text and photographic artwork reproduce without separating the design into flat colour layers.
Works on Dark Garments
A white ink layer prints behind the colours, so bright artwork stays bright on a black shirt.
Flexible Quantities
There is no minimum order quantity and no screen set-up per colour, so a short run does not carry a large fixed cost.
Water-Based Inks
Esping uses water-based inks and a production method that limits waste compared with older transfer processes.
CHOOSE & CARE
Choosing DTF or Another Printing Method
DTF PRINTING
Detailed or multi-colour artwork on cotton
Reproduces gradients and fine detail without separating the design into colour layers.
DTF PRINTING
A small run, or pieces personalised individually
No screen set-up per colour, so short runs stay viable.
SILKSCREEN PRINTING
A large run built from one or two solid colours
As the quantity rises, screen set-up spreads thin and the unit cost drops below DTF.
DYE-SUBLIMATION
A full-colour design across a polyester jersey
Covers the whole panel with nothing added to the fabric surface.
EMBROIDERY
A formal stitched logo on a corporate polo
Thread gives a raised, structured finish that reads as more formal.
For bulk solid-colour work, compare against silkscreen printing. For polyester sportswear, see dye sublimation shirt printing
Caring for a DTF Printed Shirt
DTF prints sit as a thin layer on the garment, so care habits make a measurable difference to how long they stay smooth.
- Turn the shirt inside out before washing.
- Wash in cold water and skip bleach or harsh detergents.
- Air dry rather than using a hot dryer cycle.
- Never iron directly over the print; iron around it or use a cloth.
Artwork Files for DTF
Send high-resolution PNG files with a transparent background at the finished print size. A transparent background lets the white ink layer print only where the artwork sits, which keeps the edges clean. Garments can be supplied from the cotton range or the hoodie range .
Why Choose Our Direct-To-Film (DTF) Transfer Printing?
Portfolio
Showcase of Our Work
Explore our curated showcase of completed projects, highlighting the quality and creativity we bring to every design.
TESTIMONIALS
What CustomersSay About Esping
Reviews published on Esping’s Google Business Profile, attributed to the reviewer who wrote them.
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Have a very good experience with Esping Corporation. Their T-shirt that I ordered recently is in good quality. Not only that, the printing was good too. They have a good knowledge and even advises me what are the things I can do and not to do in terms on printing and color wise.
retxxter
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Good place for customize printing. There is more variety choice for you with reasonable price. Even though I ordered in a small quantity, they still helpful and recommended me some ideas, especially Gan. All items (arpon, round neck T-shirt, cap, uniform & Polo- Tee) were good in quality. Will repeat order again and recommend to others. Thanks for all team good services.
Hui Xin Chong
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Good place for all your shirt printing needs. I ordered a small quantity and they are the only few vendors in the area that were willing to do the job with a fair price. Service was speedy and quality is good. Recommended local vendor. But the surrounding area is a little tight as there isn't enough parking for visitors.
Felix Mea
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Always the first one who came in my mind when ordering shirts! Fair price with a good quality, Ms. Phyllis always respond in second and efficient! Will continue order with them in the future and definitely will recommend them to friends & business partner =D
Denson Mok
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Frequently Asked Questions About DTF Printing in Malaysia
Cost, durability and fabric questions asked before ordering DTF shirts in Malaysia, including the questions Google shows in its People Also Ask panel.
Any questions
marketing@esping.com.my
+603-7803 8778
1. What is DTF in printing?
DTF stands for Direct To Film. The design is printed onto a clear PET film, coated with hot-melt adhesive powder, cured, then heat-pressed onto the garment. Unlike sublimation, the print transfers onto the fabric surface rather than bonding into the fibre, which is why it works on cotton and on dark garments.
2. How much should DTF printing cost?
DTF printing is priced by print size, starting from RM4 per piece for A5, RM8 for A4, RM12 for A3 and RM15 for A2, with colour printing at RM18 per piece. The final quotation is subject to design, size, colour and quantity, along with the number of print positions and the garment supplied. Because there is no screen set-up, small runs stay proportionally cheaper than silkscreen, while large single-colour runs usually cost less on silkscreen. Send the artwork and quantity for a current quotation.
3. How long do DTF prints last?
A correctly cured and pressed DTF print resists cracking, peeling and fading through repeated washing, and generally lasts the working life of the garment. Longevity depends on the press settings, the fabric and how the shirt is washed, so wash inside out in cold water and avoid ironing over the print.
4. Is DTF printing suitable for T-shirts?
Yes. DTF is one of Esping’s most requested methods for T-shirts because the print stays soft and breathable while holding up to regular wear. It suits merchandise, event shirts, team apparel and daily staff shirts on cotton and blends.
5. Can DTF print full-colour photos and gradients?
Yes. DTF supports unlimited colours, gradients and photographic detail without the colour separation that silkscreen requires, so complex artwork transfers accurately onto the fabric.
6.Is there a minimum order for DTF printing?
No. DTF printing has no minimum order quantity, so orders are accepted from a single piece up to a full production run.
7. What fabrics can DTF be printed on?
Cotton, polyester, blends, denim and canvas all take DTF transfers, on both light and dark garments, with no pre-treatment step. Very stretchy performance fabrics and water-repellent coated garments should be checked before ordering.
8. What file format should I send for DTF printing?
A high-resolution PNG with a transparent background at the finished print size gives the cleanest result. The transparent background tells the printer where to lay the white ink layer, which is what keeps the edges of the design sharp.
Have Detailed Artwork to Print?
Send a high-resolution file with the garment and quantity. Esping will confirm the print size and return a quotation.