Transfer Films & Stickers
Choose the right garment transfer or sticker material, prepare the artwork correctly, and follow the right application method.
Choose the product before the finish
SpeedShirt offers three different product families. They are applied differently and are not interchangeable.
Garment DTF
Heat-applied transfers for compatible textiles. Available as single transfers or gangsheets.
UV DTF
Pressure-applied transfers for compatible smooth, rigid surfaces. No heat press.
Stickers
Self-adhesive, precision-cut vinyl supplied ready to peel and apply.
Garment DTF film types
All garment DTF options are ready-to-press media, but the visible finish and ideal use differ. Availability can change, so the live product page is the final source for what can currently be ordered.
| Film | Finish | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Standard DTF | Soft, durable full-colour finish | Everyday garment printing, logos, photographs and production runs. |
| Glitter DTF | Sparkling decorative finish | Event wear, statement graphics and designs that benefit from visible sparkle. |
| Holographic DTF | Prismatic, colour-shifting finish | High-impact artwork whose appearance should change with light and viewing angle. |
| Reflective DTF | Light-catching reflective effect | Graphics intended to react strongly to direct light. The effect changes with lighting and angle. |
| Metallic DTF | Metallic-look sheen | Premium logos, badges and artwork that suits a metal-inspired surface. |
| Neon DTF | High-impact fluorescent colour | Bright promotional, sports and fashion graphics. Screens can only approximate the printed neon effect. |
| Glow in the Dark DTF | Photoluminescent glow after light exposure | Novelty, event and night-time designs. Glow strength and duration depend on how the print is charged. |
Preview effects are a useful guide, not a colour-accurate simulation. Glitter, holographic, reflective, metallic, neon and glow finishes react to real light in ways a flat screen cannot reproduce.
UV DTF is for hard surfaces
UV DTF is applied with pressure rather than heat. Use it on a clean, dry, smooth and compatible rigid surface. It is not a garment transfer and should not be heat pressed.
- Clean the surface thoroughly and remove dust, grease and moisture.
- Remove the backing and position carefully; the adhesive grabs quickly.
- Burnish the whole design using firm, overlapping strokes.
- Peel the carrier slowly and low to the surface. If an edge lifts, lay it back down and burnish again.
Avoid textured surfaces, deep curves, seams and flexible materials. Test specialist coatings before a production run and allow the adhesive to settle before heavy handling or washing.
Sticker vinyl types
Gloss vinyl
Bright white everyday vinyl with a crisp, vibrant gloss finish.
Matt vinyl
Smooth, low-sheen vinyl with less glare and a softer premium appearance.
Holographic vinyl
Rainbow-shift material that changes with the light and viewing angle.
Glitter vinyl
Sparkling vinyl for bold labels, logos and special editions.
Clear vinyl
Transparent media that allows the application surface to show through unprinted areas.
Reflective vinyl
Light-catching vinyl for high-impact labels, graphics and markings.
Sticker borders and cut lines
- Auto contour follows the visible alpha shape of transparent artwork. Remove stray pixels and disconnected islands before ordering.
- Circle and other fixed shapes fit around the visible artwork rather than treating transparent PNG padding as printed content.
- Square produces sharp corners; rounded square softens them.
- Border width adds printed border/cut clearance around the artwork. It does not enlarge the artwork itself; change the finished size to make the design larger.
- Border colour can be selected manually, including the detected Artwork edge colour where available.
Artwork for transfers and stickers
- Use clean, high-resolution artwork at the final ordered size; 300 DPI is the preferred target for raster logos and text.
- Transparent PNG is the safest raster format for irregular transfer and sticker shapes.
- Do not add a white rectangle unless you want it printed and, for auto-contour stickers, included in the cut shape.
- Keep tiny text, thin strokes and small isolated pieces practical for the finished size.
- For clear or effect media, remember that the real application surface and lighting influence the final appearance.
Sticker application and care
- Clean and dry the surface. Remove oil, dust, polish and cleaning residue.
- Apply in a dry environment and avoid very cold surfaces.
- Position without touching the adhesive more than necessary.
- Smooth firmly from the centre outwards to push out air.
- Allow the adhesive to settle for 24 hours before washing or heavy handling.
Adhesion and durability depend on the vinyl, surface, preparation and environment. Test specialist, coated, textured or frequently washed surfaces first.