How to Prepare Your Artwork File for DTF Transfers

Getting your artwork right before you submit is the single most important step in ordering DTF transfers. Even the best printer can't fix a low-resolution or poorly set-up file. Follow these guidelines and your transfers will come out sharp, vibrant, and exactly as intended.

File Format: PNG or PDF

The two best file formats for DTF transfers are:

• PNG — Best for most designs. Supports transparent backgrounds, which is essential for DTF. Make sure your background is transparent (checkerboard pattern in Photoshop), not white.
• PDF — Good for vector designs from Illustrator. Preserves crisp edges at any size. Flatten transparency before exporting.

Avoid JPEG files — they compress the image and add artifacts around edges, which shows up in the final print.

Resolution: 300 DPI Minimum

Resolution is the most common mistake we see. Your file must be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the actual print size. A design that looks fine on screen at 72 DPI will print blurry and pixelated.

Quick check: in Photoshop, go to Image → Image Size. Make sure the resolution is 300 DPI or higher at the dimensions you plan to print. Don't just scale up a low-res image — that doesn't add detail, it just makes the blur bigger.

Background: Transparent, Not White

One of the most important things to understand about DTF gang sheet printing: your design needs a transparent background. If your file has a white background, the transfer will have a white box around it that shows on the garment.

• In Photoshop: use the Magic Wand or Select Subject tool to remove the background, then save as PNG
• In Illustrator: make sure no white fill is behind your artwork, export as PDF or PNG with transparency
• In Canva: download as PNG with transparent background (requires Canva Pro)

Color Mode: RGB

Keep your files in RGB color mode, not CMYK. DTF printers output in RGB and convert colors internally. Files in CMYK can look dull or shifted after printing.

Design Sizing Tips

• Standard left chest logo: 3.5"–4" wide
• Full front design: 11"–12" wide
• Oversized/all-over design: up to 21.5" wide on our 22" film
• Always design at the actual print size — don't rely on scaling at checkout

Ready to Submit? Order from Supreme Transfers in Dallas, TX

Once your file is ready, upload it at supremetransfers.com. Supreme Transfers serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area from our Richardson, TX location — same-day pickup available, no minimums, and a team that catches file issues before they go to print.