DTF Transfers vs. Plastisol (Screen Printed) Transfers: Pros, Cons & When to Use Each

Quick Answer: DTF transfers are best for full-colour, detailed, and photographic designs with no minimums and fast turnaround. Plastisol (screen printed) transfers excel at bold, opaque spot colours on large runs where a thick, vibrant ink feel is preferred. Both are heat-applied and require no on-site printing equipment — the key difference is in how they’re made, how they look, and what they cost at different quantities.

Two Great Options, Two Different Strengths

If you’re a decorator, print shop, or apparel brand shopping for ready-to-press transfers, you’ve likely come across both DTF transfers and plastisol transfers. At first glance they seem similar — both ship to you ready to heat press, both work on a wide range of garments, and both produce durable, professional results.

But they’re made differently, look different on the garment, and each has a distinct sweet spot. Choosing the wrong one for your job can cost you money or leave your customer underwhelmed.

This guide breaks down exactly how DTF and plastisol transfers compare — so you can make the right call every time.

At a Glance: DTF vs. Plastisol Transfers

What Are Plastisol Transfers?

Plastisol transfers — also called screen printed transfers — are made by screen printing plastisol ink onto a special release paper instead of directly onto a garment. The ink is partially cured (not fully dried), which allows it to transfer to a garment under heat and pressure when you’re ready to apply it.

The result is a transfer that behaves and looks exactly like a traditional screen print — because it essentially is one. The same bold, opaque inks. The same thick, slightly raised feel. The same vibrant spot colours that make screen printing a staple of the apparel industry.

Plastisol transfers are a popular choice for decorators who love the look and feel of screen printing but don’t want to invest in press equipment or take on the complexity of printing garments individually.

What Are DTF Transfers?

DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers are printed digitally using inkjet technology onto a PET film, with a white underbase and a heat-activated adhesive powder applied on top. The result is a full-colour transfer that can reproduce any artwork — photos, gradients, fine lines, and unlimited colours — in a single production pass.

DTF transfers are heat pressed onto the garment and produce a smooth, flexible print with a soft hand feel. Because they’re produced digitally, there are no screens, no setup fees, and no minimums.

DTF Transfers: Pros and Cons

Pros

Unlimited colour complexity DTF prints the full CMYK spectrum plus white in one pass. Gradients, drop shadows, halftones, photographic images, and designs with dozens of colours are all handled identically — no added cost for complexity.

No minimums, no setup fees Order one transfer or one thousand. Because there are no screens to make, every order — regardless of size — has zero setup cost. This makes DTF the most accessible option for small businesses, startups, and on-demand decorators.

Fast turnaround At Fabrik DTF, transfers are printed and shipped within 24 hours. For shops with tight deadlines or last-minute orders, this is a significant advantage.

Soft hand feel DTF transfers produce a thin, flexible print layer that moves with the fabric. On soft garments like ringspun cotton tees or athletic wear, the print feels like part of the shirt rather than something sitting on top of it.

Works on virtually any fabric DTF bonds to cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, denim, and more. It works equally well on light and dark garments without any special preparation.

Easy to gang sheet Because DTF is digital, you can combine dozens of different designs onto a single gang sheet — dramatically reducing your cost per transfer.

Cons

Not ideal for very large single-design runs For 500+ pieces of the exact same simple design, plastisol’s per-piece cost at scale can be lower than DTF.

Slightly higher cost per piece at large volumes DTF doesn’t benefit from the dramatic per-piece cost reduction that screen printing (and by extension plastisol transfers) achieves at very high quantities.

Plastisol Transfers: Pros and Cons

Pros

Bold, opaque spot colours Plastisol inks are thick, pigment-rich, and highly opaque. Spot colours — brand reds, athletic blues, school greens — reproduce with an intensity and saturation that’s the hallmark of traditional screen printing.

Excellent for large uniform runs Once screens are made, the cost per piece drops significantly. For 100+ pieces of the same logo or design in 1–4 colours, plastisol transfers become very cost-competitive.

Classic screen print look and feel Many buyers specifically want the look and feel of a screen print — the slightly raised ink, the matte finish, the solid colour blocks. Plastisol delivers that aesthetic perfectly.

Specialty ink options Plastisol transfers can incorporate specialty effects like metallic inks, glitter, puff (raised texture), and glow-in-the-dark — effects that aren’t available in DTF.

Long shelf life Partially cured plastisol transfers can be stored for months or even years before pressing, making them ideal for building transfer inventory.

Cons

Limited colour complexity Each colour requires a separate screen. A 6-colour design requires 6 screens — and 6 screen fees. Gradients and photographic artwork are expensive or impossible to reproduce accurately.

Minimum order quantities Screen setup costs make very small runs uneconomical. Most plastisol transfer suppliers require a minimum of 12–50 pieces per design.

Longer production time Screen setup, printing, and shipping typically takes several days — sometimes longer for complex designs or large orders.

Thicker hand feel Plastisol ink sits on top of the fabric rather than bonding into it. The result is a slightly more plastic, raised feel — which some customers love and others find less comfortable on lightweight tees.

Less flexibility on stretchy fabrics Standard plastisol can crack on highly stretchy fabrics. Stretch-formula plastisol is available but adds cost and complexity.

Side-by-Side: The Real Differences That Matter

Colour Complexity

If your design has more than 4–5 colours, gradients, or photographic elements — DTF wins decisively. Every additional colour in a plastisol transfer adds a screen fee and increases production complexity. In DTF, a 2-colour logo and a 20-colour photo illustration cost exactly the same to produce.

Order Size

For small and mixed orders — DTF wins. No minimums, no setup fees, instant savings on gang sheets.

For large runs of simple designs (100+ pieces, same artwork) — plastisol becomes competitive. The per-piece cost at scale can be lower, especially for 1–4 colour designs.

Hand Feel

Prefer a soft, barely-there feel? DTF. Want that classic, slightly raised screen-print feel? Plastisol.

Neither is objectively better — it comes down to what your customers expect and what the garment calls for.

Speed

Need it fast? DTF. With 24-hour production and shipping, DTF is the clear winner for time-sensitive orders.

Plastisol transfers typically take several days from order to delivery — not ideal for last-minute jobs.

Specialty Effects

Want metallic, puff, glitter, or glow? Plastisol only. These specialty effects are not currently available in DTF.

When to Choose DTF Transfers

✅ Your design has more than 4 colours, gradients, or photographic elements ✅ You’re ordering a small quantity (under 50 pieces) ✅ You need the order in 24–48 hours ✅ You’re mixing multiple designs on one gang sheet ✅ You’re decorating stretchy or performance fabrics ✅ You want a soft, flexible hand feel ✅ You’re running a print-on-demand or made-to-order business

When to Choose Plastisol Transfers

✅ Your design is a simple logo with 1–4 solid spot colours ✅ You’re ordering 100+ pieces of the same design ✅ You want a classic, raised screen-print look and feel ✅ You need specialty ink effects (metallic, puff, glitter, glow) ✅ You want to build a long-shelf-life transfer inventory ✅ Your brand has specific Pantone colour matching requirements

Can You Use Both in Your Business?

Absolutely — and many successful Canadian decorators do exactly that.

A common workflow looks like this:

• DTF transfers for new designs, small runs, complex artwork, and on-demand orders
• Plastisol transfers for core bestselling designs ordered in bulk, or for clients who specifically want the screen-print aesthetic

Using both methods gives you maximum flexibility. You can offer fast turnaround on custom orders while still getting great pricing on your high-volume repeat designs.

Fabrik DTF: Your Canadian Source for Both

At Fabrik DTF, we produce both Vivid+ DTF Transfers and Plastisol Screen Printed Transfers — shipped across Canada within 24 hours.

Our DTF transfers feature instant hot-peel film, super soft hand feel, and colour-accurate CMYK reproduction on any fabric.

Our plastisol transfers are screen printed with premium opaque inks for bold, vibrant spot colours — perfect for uniforms, athletic wear, and high-volume apparel programs.

Not sure which is right for your next order? Our team is happy to help you choose based on your design, quantity, and application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do DTF and plastisol transfers require different heat press settings? Yes, slightly. DTF transfers typically press at 300–325°F (150–165°C) for 10–15 seconds with medium pressure, followed by a hot peel. Plastisol transfers generally require a slightly higher temperature and longer dwell time — check the specific instructions included with your order.

Which lasts longer — DTF or plastisol? Both are highly durable when applied correctly and cared for properly (washed inside out, cold water, low heat drying). In our experience, both methods will outlast the garment under normal wear conditions.

Can plastisol transfers go on dark shirts? Yes — plastisol inks are opaque by nature and work well on dark garments. DTF also works on dark fabrics thanks to the white underbase that prints automatically as part of the process.

Are plastisol transfers the same as heat transfer vinyl (HTV)? No. Plastisol transfers are screen printed with ink onto release paper. HTV is a coloured vinyl film that is cut and weeded before pressing. They look different, feel different, and are produced differently. Plastisol transfers look like screen prints; HTV has a smooth, slightly shiny, vinyl-like appearance.

Can I order both DTF and plastisol transfers in the same order from Fabrik DTF? Yes! You can add both products to your cart and we’ll ship them together.

Which is better for kids’ clothing? DTF is generally preferred for children’s apparel because of its softer hand feel and excellent stretch compatibility. It’s also a good choice for smaller quantities typical of kids’ custom clothing orders.

Ready to Place Your Order?

Whether you need the colour versatility of DTF or the bold opacity of plastisol, Fabrik DTF has you covered — with fast Canadian shipping and no minimums on DTF transfers.

👉 Order DTF Transfers 👉 Order Plastisol Transfers 👉 Build a Gang Sheet 👉 Contact Us for Help Choosing

Fabrik DTF is a Canadian supplier of DTF transfers, plastisol transfers, UV stickers, patches, and more — serving print shops, apparel brands, and decorators across Canada since 2020.