DTF Glossary
DTF (direct-to-film)
DTF, or direct-to-film, is a transfer-printing workflow in which artwork is printed onto carrier film, commonly with colour and a white underbase, combined with adhesive powder, cured, and later heat-transferred to a substrate. Prepress prepares size, transparency, layout, white, and the file contract before the RIP drives the printer.
In practice
DTF is not one file format or one machine setting. The production chain includes artwork approval, preflight, gang-sheet layout, separations, RIP interpretation, film, ink, powder, cure, pressing, and a physical quality check.
NestSheet’s v1 user interface is DTF-only. It works before the RIP: it does not print transfers, sell film, take marketplace orders, or replace the device queue.