DTF PRINTING
DTF Printing in Rhode Island
Versatile, Full-Color Decoration Produced In-House
Cool Air Creations provides professional Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing from our 40,000-square-foot facility in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
DTF gives our production team another powerful option for creating detailed, colorful designs across a wide variety of apparel and fabrics.
Because Cool Air also produces screen printing, DTG and embroidery in-house, DTF becomes part of a larger production toolbox—allowing us to choose the decoration process based on the project rather than forcing the project to fit one particular technology.
Request a DTF QuoteWhat Is DTF Printing?
Direct-to-Film printing is a digital decoration process in which artwork is printed onto a specialized film and then transferred to the garment using heat and pressure.
The process can reproduce detailed, multi-color artwork and can work across a broad range of garment types and fabrics.
This makes DTF an extremely versatile option for custom apparel production.
When Does DTF Make Sense?
DTF may be a strong choice when a project requires full-color detail combined with flexibility across different apparel and fabric types.
Our production team evaluates the artwork, garment, quantity and intended use before recommending a decoration method.
From Artwork to DTF Printing
DTF combines digital printing with a transfer process, giving our team flexibility across a wide range of custom-apparel projects.
We evaluate the artwork, garment, quantity and intended use to determine whether DTF is the right process.
Digital artwork is reviewed and prepared for accurate full-color DTF production.
The approved artwork is digitally printed onto specialized transfer film.
The printed transfer is prepared for application to the selected garment.
Heat and pressure are used to transfer the finished design onto the garment.
Finished garments are inspected and prepared for pickup, shipping, kitting or fulfillment.
DTF vs. DTG
Both are digital decoration technologies, but they work differently.
DTF Printing
DTF first prints the design onto film and then transfers it to the garment using heat and pressure.
This provides greater flexibility across certain materials and garment types.
DTG Printing
DTG prints the artwork directly onto the garment and can be an excellent choice for detailed, full-color artwork on suitable apparel.
Rather than expecting customers to decide which technology they need, our team can evaluate the project and recommend the appropriate process.
DTF vs. Screen Printing
The best choice depends on the quantity, artwork, garments and requirements of the project.
DTF Printing
For smaller quantities, highly colorful designs, multiple garment types or applications requiring greater flexibility, DTF may make more sense.
Screen Printing
For large quantities of identical artwork, traditional screen printing may provide the most efficient solution.
The advantage of working with Cool Air is that we produce both. Our recommendation is based on what will produce the best result for the project.
More Than One Way to Decorate Apparel
There is no single decoration technology that's right for every job.
Cool Air's in-house capabilities include:
Screen Printing
Excellent for traditional apparel decoration and high-volume production.
Embroidery
A dimensional, professional option for polos, jackets, hats and workwear.
DTG
Digital direct-to-garment printing particularly well suited to detailed full-color artwork and very small quantities.
DTF
Versatile digital decoration capable of working across a broad variety of garment types and materials.
Then choose the technology.
Having multiple decoration technologies available through one production operation allows our team to select a process based on the actual project rather than trying to make every job fit the same equipment.
In-House Production Matters
Cool Air's DTF capabilities are part of a much larger in-house production operation.
Our 40,000-square-foot Smithfield facility produces well over 1,000,000 decorated garments annually across our apparel-decoration departments.
Keeping decoration capabilities together gives our production team greater control over scheduling, quality, consistency and the movement of complex projects between departments.
Produced across Cool Air's in-house apparel-decoration departments.
DTF as Part of a Larger Program
Decoration is often only one piece of the project.
Cool Air can combine DTF production with:
That allows organizations to manage much more than simply the printing through one partner.
DTF Printing From Rhode Island to Anywhere
Cool Air Creations provides DTF and other apparel-decoration services from our headquarters in Smithfield, Rhode Island, serving customers throughout New England, nationwide and internationally.
Not sure whether your project should be DTF, DTG, screen printed or embroidered?
You don't need to be. That's our job.
Tell us what you're trying to accomplish and we'll recommend the appropriate production method.
Request a Quote