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Transfer printing explained: DTF, flex and flock at a glance
What is transfer printing, and when does DTF fit, when flex or flock? How the methods work, which garments they hold on and which file you need.
What is transfer printing?
Transfer printing is the umbrella term for all methods in which the design is first created on a carrier and only then goes onto the garment. The carrier is a film. In a transfer press, heat and pressure bond the design to the fabric, then the film is peeled off.
In screen printing, by contrast, the ink runs directly through a screen onto the garment. That pays off mainly for many identical pieces in few colours. How the two approaches differ is shown in our comparison screen printing or transfer printing.
For companies, teams and clubs, transfer printing is especially practical because no screens need to be set up. If you want to have T-shirts printed with your logo, it is usually the first choice for multicolour designs.
Two families
In digital transfer printing (DTF), the film is printed. With flex and flock, a coloured film is cut. Both are pressed on the same way at the end.
DTF: transfer printing in every colour
DTF stands for direct to film. A printer applies your design digitally to a carrier film, all colours in one pass. On dark fabrics a white base layer goes under the colours so they stay strong.
The film is then coated with an adhesive powder. In the press, the adhesive melts and bonds the design to the fabric. Because no screens are needed, the number of colours does not matter: photos, gradients and fine lines come out cleanly.
DTF adheres to cotton, polyester and blends. That makes it suitable for sports shirts, softshell jackets and bags as well. What matters for sports shirts is covered in Printing running shirts. You can find more about the method on our digital printing page.
What a multicolour logo in digital print looks like on a black organic shirt is shown in our project DAV: organic Creator 2.0 T-shirts with digital print.
- 1Print on filmDigital, all colours in one pass
- 2Adhesive powderBonds to the fabric later
- 3Heat and pressureThe press transfers the design
- Strong at
- Multicolour logos, photos, gradients and fine details – on light and dark fabrics
- Less suited to
- Very large, full-surface designs, where the layer is slightly more noticeable
Flex and flock: film from the plotter
With flex and flock, nothing is printed. A cutting plotter cuts letters, numbers or shapes from a coloured film. The excess parts are removed by hand, then the transfer press applies the design to the garment.
Each colour is a separate film. That makes flex and flock ideal for single-colour lettering, names and numbers in strong colours – the classic on jerseys. Very fine lines and tiny parts, on the other hand, are hard to cut. How we use flex, flock and DTF in our own workshop is shown on our page custom textile printing.
- Flex
- Smooth surface, looks clean and sporty
- Flock
- Velvety, slightly raised surface you can feel
| Criterion | Film is cut Flex & flock | Printed film DTF |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Lettering, names, numbers, simple shapes | Logos in many colours, photos, gradients |
| Colours | One film per colour – few colours are ideal | All colours in one pass |
| Details | Very fine lines and small parts are difficult | Fine lines and small lettering come out cleanly |
| Surface | Flex smooth, flock velvety | Thin, flexible layer |
| Typical for | Names and numbers on jerseys | Company logos, crests, sponsors |
Which transfer print suits your design?
The quickest way to decide is by your design. These cases help with a first assessment:
Your logo has many colours or a gradient.
DTF
You want to print a photo or a detailed illustration.
DTF
Each jersey gets its own name and number.
Flex or flock
You are printing sports shirts or softshell jackets.
Usually DTF
Your design is single-colour lettering in a strong colour.
Flex or flock
Often the best answer
Combine both
Crest and sponsor in DTF, names and numbers in flock.
DTF + flock
Which fonts are easy to read on a jersey is shown in our post on the right jersey font.
Which garments transfer printing holds on
Transfer printing is flexible when it comes to fabric. What matters are the material, the surface and the area to be printed:
Cotton T-shirts
Suitable for all three methods.
- FrontBack
Hoodies
Small multicolour chest logo in DTF, lettering or name on the back in flex or flock.
Sports shirts, rain jackets, softshell
Usually DTF – the transfer bonds well with synthetic fabrics.
Bags and backpacks
We print cotton bags with both methods; for coated fabrics we tend to use DTF.
Matching garments
Design them in the shop
Which file you need for transfer printing
Ideal
Vector: PDF, AI, EPS, SVG
Ideal for flex and flock, because the plotter cuts along the outlines. Also the best choice for DTF.
Enough for DTF
PNG, transparent, high resolution
For DTF, a good pixel file with a transparent background is enough.
We check
Photo or small graphic
Send it anyway. In the layout consultation we tell you whether it is good enough for printing.
Give colours as values
Ideally as Pantone or HKS values. For flex and flock we choose the film colour closest to your value.
The larger the print
the more pixels the file needs. Left too few, right enough.
How long does the print last?
Side noteA long time with proper care. More important than the method are the right garment and the care instructions. We advise you on this before production.
Wash inside out
That way nothing rubs directly against the print in the machine
Follow the care label
Temperature and programme depend on the garment
Ironing directly over the print
If needed, iron inside out or with a cloth in between
How your transfer print works with us
Garment and logo
You choose your garment in the shop and upload your logo.
Advice
We check your design and advise you on the layout and the right method free of charge.
Print approval
You receive a print approval with position and size and approve it.
Printing in Munich
We print in our own workshop. Delivery usually takes approx. 7–10 working days.
Transfer printing: frequently asked questions
Is DTF the same as transfer printing?
DTF is today’s most common form of transfer printing. Flex and flock belong to it too: there the film is cut rather than printed.
What is the difference between flex and flock?
Both are cut from coloured film and pressed on. Flex has a smooth surface, flock a velvety, slightly raised one.
Can you feel a transfer print on the shirt?
DTF sits on the fabric as a thin, flexible layer. On large areas you feel it slightly more, on chest logos hardly at all. Flock is meant to feel velvety.
Can I combine transfer printing and screen printing?
Yes. For example the logo in screen printing and names in flock, or a multicolour design in DTF. We tell you in the consultation what makes sense.
Will I see what my design looks like before printing?
Yes. Before production you receive a print approval on which you check position, size and colours.
Not sure which transfer print suits your logo? Send us your design – we’ll get back to you with a recommendation.
Team Shirtplus
Printing and embroidery in our own workshop in Munich. Created with AI support. Last updated: 22 Oct 2026.
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