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Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is here!

Make every fabric your canvas with Gelato's new DTF printing

Unlock a new era of design freedom. Create vibrant, durable products on the fabrics your customers love, produced locally and delivered fast through Gelato’s global network.

4.8 / 5
based on 624 reviews
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Trusted by millions of sellers worldwide | ★★★★★ 4.8/5 on Shopify | 100% free to use

The benefits of DTF printing: Durability, fabric versatility, and color vibrancy

Unlock a limitless fabric library

Don't let fabric limitations stifle your creativity. Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing allows for a broader range of materials, such as polyester and nylon.

Expand into high-demand categories like sportswear and hats, unlocking new revenue streams for your business.

DTF - Applies to a wide range of fabrics

Showcase your designs in high definition

Give your products the spotlight they deserve with unmatched clarity. DTF printing excels at reproducing fine lines, intricate details, and complex color gradients that other methods can struggle with.

Whether you are printing on light or dark garments, our water-based pigment inks ensure your colors remain vivid, bold, and true to your original vision.

DTF - Works on both light and dark garments

Deliver premium quality that lasts

Build a brand reputation based on quality. DTF prints are renowned for their durability, offering a smooth, flexible finish that moves with the fabric without cracking.

Tested to withstand countless washes, these commercial-grade prints ensure your customers receive a premium product that looks as good as new, wear after wear

DTF - Long-lasting results

Master the details: DTF design guidelines

Ensure your creations print perfectly every time. Direct-to-Film requires specific file setups to maximize vibrancy and edge sharpness.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything from resolution requirements to handling transparencies and borders, so you can upload your work with total confidence.

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What is the difference between DTF and DTG printing methods?Understand the differences to choose the right print method for your next bestseller.
Feature
DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film)
DTG Printing (Direct-to-Garment)
Best for
Best for
Sportswear, hats, outerwear, and durable workwear
Standard t-shirts, hoodies, and vintage-style designs
Fabric compatibility
Fabric compatibility
Any fabric: Cotton, polyester, nylon, and performance blends
Limited: Best suited for 100% cotton or high-cotton blends
Print feel
Print feel
Smooth, flexible finish that sits on top of the fabric
Soft, breathable finish where ink soaks into the fibers
Color vibrancy
Color vibrancy
High vibrancy and sharp edge definition on both light and dark fabrics
Excellent vibrancy on white fabrics; softer look on darks
Durability
Durability
Heavy Duty: Crack-resistant, stretchable, and built for active use
Standard: Durable, but can fade gradually over time

A complete DTF product range: From activewear to premium basics

Sportswear & active fits

Empower your customers with activewear designed to move. Our performance collection utilizes advanced, moisture-wicking fabrics that are breathable and durable.

With professional-grade options from trusted brands like Sport-Tek and A4, these tees are engineered for teams, gyms, and anyone living an active lifestyle

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Polos & premium wear

Make a lasting impression with premium branded apparel. Featuring iconic names like Nike and refined styles like the Sport-Tek Micropique Polo, this range offers a sophisticated canvas for your brand.

It is the ideal choice for corporate wear, golf clubs, and premium merchandise lines where quality and brand recognition are paramount.

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Outerwear & layering

Drive higher average order values with versatile layering pieces perfect for any season. From trending quarter-zips like the Sport-Tek ST850 to classic pullovers, these items blend comfort with functionality.

The smooth finish of DTF printing ensures your designs sit perfectly on these heavier, textured fabrics without losing detail or flexibility

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Lifestyle basics

Reimagine the basics with bold, vibrant prints that last. Whether it’s the popular Gildan 8000 or trend-focused crop tees from Bella+Canvas, DTF printing breathes new life into everyday staples.

These core styles offer the perfect entry point for customers looking for trusted comfort combined with the high-definition vibrancy of film transfer technology

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DTF printing guides, tutorials, and tips for beginners

Explore our expert guides and tips to help you design, sell, and scale your business with our newest printing technology.

Gelato apparel reviews: What high-volume sellers are saying

★★★★★

Print On Demand - RJ Martinez

“The print on this Gelato shirt came out really good—the detail, the colors, the overall feel of it exceeded my expectations.

Even after washing it, the design stayed clean and vibrant with no fading or cracking. I was honestly impressed with how professional it looked.”

★★★★★

CoconuTacha

“I never had the space, cash flow, or capability to create children’s clothing, but Gelato changed that completely.

They handle the printing, packing, and shipping, so all I have to do is design and upload. It’s allowed me to launch an entire kids’ collection that would have taken me years to make on my own.”

See how creators like you are scaling their business with Gelato

Graphic titled "Creator Conversations" with "Elder Emo" text. Features Mike A., CEO & Founder of Elder Emo, smiling in a photo.Elder Emo builds a brand with a beat and turns passion into profit

"Gelato was the best print-on-demand provider I found — fast, smooth, and perfect for turning passion into a side hustle."

Mike A - Elder Emo

CalendarYosemite Climbing Association scales their non-profit

"Doing print on demand with Gelato is so perfect for us — the delivery is amazingly fast, the quality is excellent, and it runs super smooth."

Jim T - Yosemite Climbing Association

Gelato is the choice of CreatorsSee how artists around the world are using Gelato to bring their ideas to life
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Limited-time offer

Win the season with Gelato+

Join for $19.99/month (billed annually) to unlock up to 35% off products and free shipping, exclusive to annual subscribers.

Create irresistible offers and flash sales that get your customers shopping and help you sell more this season

Win the season with Gelato+

Unlock your store's potential with a Gelato+ subscription

Join thousands of top sellers using Gelato+ to lower costs, save time with automation, and access the advanced features that drive sales

Hands holding a framed floral poster with pink and orange flowers; a digital mockup creation interface is visible beside it.Magic Mockups

Generate stunning product images in seconds that convert, all while eliminating expensive photoshoots. Our AI creates photorealistic mockups with perfect lighting, shadows, and context.

Interface showing product management software with options for creating collections, alongside a stack of illustrated product images.Instant Collections


Launch entire product collections instantly across multiple platforms with AI. Scale your catalog from dozens to thousands of products in minutes, not months.

Kids clothingPrice Navigator

Discover how Price Navigator can help you optimize your pricing strategy and increase your profitability. Turn your pricing into a growth driver with Price Navigator.

Apparel WomenCreative Vault

Get unlimited access to professional stock images optimized for print-on-demand. Every image is commercially licensed, print-ready, and perfectly sized for Gelato products.

A woman with a backpack smiles, holding a phone displaying order details and payment statuses against a sunset background.Gelato App

The Gelato app makes it easy for you to manage your business on the go. Track orders, create designs with AI, and manage your business — all from your pocket.

A digital interface showing an "Export CSV File" dialog box with options, overlaid on logos of Velocity Switch, Etsy, and Shopify.Velocity Switch

AI-powered migration tool that automatically maps your existing products from Shopify, Etsy and more to Gelato's catalog. Transfer your entire store without manual work, downtime, or lost sales.

PSPersonalization Studio

Save time while Personalization Studio automates design tasks for you. No more manual adjustments, focus on creativity while we handle the customization.

packagingBranded Packaging

Personalize your orders with custom packaging inserts and branded labels. A cost effective marketing channel with guaranteed reach. Inserts and labels start at $0.49 each.

Smiling person holding framed floral artwork with the text "Find Joy in the Ordinary," next to a screen showing a digital mockup tool.Premium Mockups

Create high-resolution product mockups for T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, canvas, phone cases and more - ready for store listings, ads, and social. Download premium scenes with Gelato+.

Frequently asked questions about custom DTF printing

Ready to grow?

Start exploring

Create a free account, browse our full product catalog, and get a feel for the platform. No commitment required.

Talk to a migration expert

Large catalog or complex needs? Schedule a free consultation with our team. We'll build a custom migration plan for you.

See it in action

The best way to trust our quality is to see it for yourself. Get a sample of your products at 50% for the first 48h.