DTF Printing Philippines

At Tancorp Manufacturing, we pride ourselves on offering the latest printing solutions for custom apparel. One of the most versatile and in-demand methods we provide is Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing—a fast, reliable, and durable option that’s changing the way brands approach custom designs and garment labeling.

Choosing a reputable company like Tancorp ensures consistent, professional results, excellent service, and fast turnaround times for your DTF printing needs.

In this article, we’ll explain what DTF printing is, how it compares to sublimation and screen printing, and why it’s the ideal solution for creating tagless labels inside garments. With Tancorp’s DTF printing, you benefit from superior print quality that delivers vibrant colors and sharp details on every project.

What is DTF Printing?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is a digital printing process where designs are first printed onto a special film, which serves as a key material in the DTF process, coated with adhesive powder, and then heat-pressed onto the fabric. This adhesive material helps ensure a strong bond during the film transfer process. Specialized DTF printers are used to achieve high-quality results. Unlike sublimation, which only works on polyester and light-colored garments, DTF is highly versatile—it can be applied to cotton, polyester, blends, dark colors, and even textured fabrics.

Key benefits of DTF printing include:

• Vibrant and detailed designs – even small text or intricate logos print cleanly, with the ability to reproduce fine detail and high-resolution images.
• Durability – designs are stretchable, washable, and resist cracking or fading.
• Flexibility – can be applied to almost any fabric type and color.

The DTF Printing Process

The DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing process is a modern and flexible solution for creating custom heat transfer labels, tags, and full-color designs on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, poly blends, and 100% cotton. This innovative printing method starts with your artwork, which is prepared in high resolution and uploaded in accepted file types such as PNG, PSD, PDF, TIFF, AI, or SVG—ideally with a transparent background for the best results.

Once your design is ready, a DTF printer uses premium inks, including white ink, to print the image directly onto a special film. This film is then coated with a fine adhesive powder, ensuring the print will bond securely to the garment. After the powder is applied, the film is cured and ready for transfer.

The next step involves using a heat press machine. The printed film is placed onto the fabric—whether it’s a t-shirt, hoodie, or other apparel—and pressed at the right temperature and pressure. This heat transfer process ensures the design adheres smoothly and permanently to the garment, resulting in a soft feel and durable finish that stands up to repeated washing and wearing.

DTF printing is especially suitable for small businesses and clothing brands looking for a cost-effective way to produce custom apparel with great quality and fine details. The process supports unlimited colors and is ideal for both small and large runs, making it a versatile choice for any business. With the ability to create custom DTF transfers, gang sheets, and heat transfer labels, companies can easily scale their production and offer a wide variety of designs.

The ordering process is straightforward: simply upload your artwork, follow clear instructions for file preparation, and let the DTF printing process handle the rest. The result is professional, high-resolution prints with a soft touch and excellent durability—perfect for any clothing brand or business looking to elevate their apparel with custom labels and designs. Whether you’re printing on cotton polyester blends, 100% cotton, or other fabrics, DTF printing delivers consistent, professional results every time.

DTF vs. Sublimation vs. Screen Printing

Each printing method has its strengths, and the right choice depends on your product needs:

DTF Printing

• Works on almost any fabric (cotton, polyester, blends, dark colors, etc.) thanks to the versatility of DTF transfer, which allows direct application to a variety of fabrics.
• Utilizes transfer sheets, such as PET films and gang sheets, to achieve high-quality prints and efficient press preparation.
• Does not require expensive A&B paper, unlike some other printing methods, making it more cost-effective.
• Great for full-color designs with fine details.
• Quick turnaround for small to medium runs.

Sublimation Printing

• Dye-based process where inks infuse directly into polyester fibers.
• Produces long-lasting, vibrant colors that never crack or peel.
• Best for all-over prints on white or light-colored polyester fabrics.
• Not suitable for cotton or dark garments.

Screen Printing

• Traditional method using stencils (screens) to apply ink directly onto fabric.
• Cost-effective for very large orders of simple designs.
• Limited in terms of color complexity and detail.
• Requires more setup time compared to DTF or sublimation.

At Tancorp, we provide both DTF printing and sublimation printing, allowing us to recommend the best process based on your design, fabric, and budget.

What Are Tagless Labels?

Instead of sewing a fabric tag into the neckline, a tagless label is a printed label placed directly onto the inside of the garment. These labels can be applied to a wide variety of clothes, including t-shirts, hoodies, and more. This gives apparel a cleaner look and provides greater comfort for the wearer—no itchy, scratchy tags rubbing against the skin.

Tagless labels typically include:

• Brand logo
• Size information
• Fabric composition
• Washing instructions

For brands, tagless labels add a professional retail finish and help maintain consistency across product lines.

How Tancorp Uses DTF Printing for Tagless Labels

At Tancorp, we use DTF printing technology to create high-quality tagless labels. Because DTF can print fine details clearly, it’s perfect for the small text and icons required on care labels.

Advantages of using DTF for tagless labels:

• Precision – small fonts and logos come out sharp and readable.
• Durability – labels remain intact after multiple washes.
• Comfort – smooth finish with no irritation for the wearer.
• Flexibility – works on cotton tees, polyester jerseys, blends, and more.

By offering DTF-printed tagless labels, we give apparel brands a premium touch that enhances both comfort and branding.

Why Choose Tancorp Manufacturing?

When you partner with us, you get more than just printing—you get a full-service apparel manufacturing team with years of experience in sublimation and DTF technology. Whether you’re launching a new clothing line, producing custom uniforms, or upgrading your branding with tagless labels, we’re here to deliver quality, consistency, and fast turnaround times.

Ready to upgrade your apparel with DTF printing and tagless labels? Contact us today!