Custom Direct To Film Options and More

Direct-to-Film

Direct-to-film is a decoration method that uses heat to apply ink directly to your product’s material, creating vibrant, detailed designs that show off your brand at golf outings, corporate events, and client gifts for special occasions. 

The direct-to-film process uses heat to apply ink, bonding it to the product’s surface for soft, durable custom tees, activewear, backpacks, and any product that takes heat transfer decoration. Because there’s less set up involved, it’s also budget-friendly for small, custom orders.

Though it has similarities to screen printing, direct-to-film uses heat to cure the design onto the product whereas screen-printing cures ink using light. Additionally, direct-to-film produces a full-bleed, full-color design while screen printing is recommended for products with less than three colors. 

When to Choose Direct-to-Film

Cotton and Cotton/Poly Blends: Direct-to-film works best for apparel and products made from cotton and cotton blends. Shop custom cotton tee shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies.

Colorful and Detailed Logos:: Direct-to-film creates perfectly color-matched logos and detailed designs that boost your brand with teamwear for retreats, notebooks for trade shows, or backpacks for new hires.

Quick Turnaround: Direct-to-film offers a turnaround of approximately three days to a week. (Note that turnaround time depends on the product selected, time for logo approval, and other factors). 

Softer Feel: Because the ink bonds closely to the fabric, direct-to-film is softer and avoids the texture that comes with screen printing.

Longer Lifespan: Direct-to-film creates a flexible, heat-activated bond that fuses the ink to the fabric for durable, longer-lasting merch.

Direct-to-Film Isn’t a Good Fit For

Performance Fabrics and Fleece: Direct-to-film is best suited for smooth cotton and blends rather than high-stretch athletic fabrics or plush fleece. If you want to customize apparel made with polyester or another fabric, consider embroidery, screen printing or heat transfer.

Bulk Orders: Direct-to-film printing can become more expensive with larger orders compared to other decoration methods.

Dark Fabrics: Because direct-to-film uses high heat, dark fabrics may experience dye migration, which can impact print color and clarity.

Want to See a Sample?

Want to see and feel the quality of our merch before you order? Request a sample with the direct-to-film artwork applied before production for a $99 setup fee, plus the cost of the product and shipping. Reach out to our team or contact your rep to request a sample.

How to Begin Your Order

To start your direct-to-film print order, reach out to your sales rep or contact our team. We're here get the process started and make it easy for you!

Questions? Contact us!

Our expert team is here to answer any questions you have about direct-to-film, compatible products, logo digitizing, samples, pricing, and more. Reach out anytime!