Direct-To-Film Transfers (DTF)

Edited: November 5, 2025

Start Designing | What you need | Design & Purchase | Apply | Care | FAQ

Direct-to-Film (or DTF) transfers give you full-color, vibrant, detailed, and durable heat-transfer designs that feel soft and move naturally on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. 

What you need

**Parchment paper, butcher paper, or Heat-Resistant Pressing Sheet.

Design & Purchase

Note: Currently, Direct-to-Film transfers are only available through Design Space on a Windows or Mac computer, and only in the U.S.

→ Design

Select DTF Transfers from the “New Project” button in the top right corner of Design Space.

Select your project size and click Continue. Check out our curated template designs, and use images, text, the Upload feature, and other Design Space tools to customize your design.

Important: When creating your DTF transfer project, keep in mind that everything placed in the design area will print exactly as it is positioned. You can include multiple designs, whether duplicates or different elements, but be careful with placement. If any objects overlap in the design area, they will print that way. To avoid this, double-check your layout before finalizing your design.  

→ Purchase

When your design is finished, click Purchase in the top right corner. A Cricut.com shopping cart will open in a browser window, listing your DTF transfer and any images or fonts in your design that you do not currently own or have permissions to use as part of Cricut Access. Here, you can also adjust the DTF transfer quantity as desired. Then, follow the prompts to complete your purchase.

We’ll print* your DTF transfer and ship it to you!  

*You will receive a printed transfer to apply to your own blank item (i.e., t-shirt, hoodie, etc.). A finished textile product is not included.  

Apply

→ Prep

Once your DTF transfers arrive, prepare your base materials and a working area to apply your direct to film design. When using Cricut EasyPress, place your pressing mat on a firm, steady surface. Ensure your base material is clean and dry. Lay your base material on the pressing mat, ensuring the area where you want to apply the design is centered on the mat.  

→ Heat

Preheat base material as instructed in our Heat Guide. Ensure the area where you want to apply the design is flat and free of wrinkles. Place the DTF Transfer on the base material with the color side up. Cover the design with a protective sheet.

Apply heat using the time and temperatures instructed in the Heat Guide. When using Cricut EasyPress, ensure you apply constant, firm pressure during this step. Do not attempt to physically apply additional pressure to Cricut Autopress as doing so may damage the machine.  

→ Cool & Peel

Once pressing is complete, allow Cricut Autopress to open, or safely lift Cricut EasyPress away from the design and return it to its safety base. Wait for the material to cool completely and then peel the transfer sheet away from the design. 

→ Tips

If the design peels or lifts off of the fabric, cover the design with protective sheet and press again.

Care

• Allow 24 hours after application before washing
• Turn embellished items inside-out before washing
• Machine wash cold, delicate cycle
• Tumble dry low
• Do not bleach

FAQ