Transfer Films & Stickers
Choose the right garment transfer or sticker material, prepare the artwork correctly, and follow the right application method.
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Choose the product before the finish
These guides cover three types of decoration. Check the product page for current availability; a guide does not mean every finish is currently orderable. UV DTF may be marked Coming soon.
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 (rub firmly) over the whole design with overlapping strokes, using the tool specified in the product instructions.
- 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
The cut shape determines the outside edge of your sticker. These shapes are illustrative; check your own cut preview and remember that the border is included in the finished size.
AI-generated illustration- Auto contour creates a cut line around the visible artwork. Red highlighted, disconnected pieces will be excluded. Increase the border to connect them or choose a fixed shape, then recheck the preview.
- 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 is included in the finished width and height. Increasing the border at the same finished size can reduce the space available for your design. Check both the size and preview after adjusting it.
- 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; aim for 300 pixels per inch for garment artwork and 360 for stickers, as shown in the sticker configurator.
- 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, check the product description for white-ink coverage. White backing can hide the material effect; areas without it can look different on a dark surface. Contact us before ordering if this is important to your design.
Sticker application and care
- Clean and dry the surface.
- Peel the sticker off its backing.
- Position your sticker where you want it.
- Smooth from the centre outwards to remove air bubbles.
Adhesion and durability depend on the vinyl, surface, preparation and environment. Test specialist, coated, textured or frequently washed surfaces first. Unless the selected product explicitly allows it, hand wash gently, avoid soaking and abrasive cleaners, and do not put decorated items in a dishwasher.