07
Jul
DTF printing has changed the game for custom apparel creators, hobbyists, and businesses alike. With bold, full-color transfers that adhere to a wide range of fabrics, it's no wonder Direct-to-Film printing has become a go-to option. But there’s one often overlooked detail that can quietly ruin your results: how your transfers are stored.
Whether you're printing shirts for a small brand or preparing large batches for customers, storing your DTF transfers properly is essential. Even the best equipment or designs won’t save a transfer that’s been damaged by heat, moisture, or poor handling.
In this guide, we’ll teach you how to store DTF transfers to maintain optimal performance. You’ll learn what can go wrong, how to prevent it, and how a few simple steps can preserve your transfers until you're ready to press them.
DTF transfers are durable and strong, but they need to be handled with care to get the best, sharp results. They are made up of many components: ink, adhesive powder, and PET film which must be kept in proper conditions. Even if one of these is exposed to something unsuitable, your whole design can get destroyed.
You may not see any damage at first, but once pressed, the flaws show, like faded colors, weak adhesion, or prints that peel after a wash. When you store your transfers properly, you are protecting not just the film itself, but also your time, effort, and brand reputation.
This is important for anyone storing transfers in bulk or doing custom orders. A little care can save you a lot of rework and wasted materials later.
When DTF transfers are not stored correctly, you may end up with more than just a few unusable sheets. Bad storage affects quality and durability.
1. Loss of Adhesion
Adhesive powder on DTF transfers is sensitive to both air and moisture. If it is exposed to both these things for a longer time, the design will not stick properly, and the print might peel off after washing.
Ink on DTF transfers can fade when exposed to direct light, high temperatures or certain types of materials. Colors can fade from black to grey and from red to pink. The fading can ruin your whole design causing wastage.
Humidity and temperature changes can cause the film to twist at the edges or bend altogether. Such a film is harder to line up properly on the garment and may not press evenly, resulting in a print with bubbles, cracks, or uneven adhesion.
Leaving transfers out in the open can put dust, debris, or even oils from your hands on the surface, leading to bad adhesion properties.
Keeping your transfers in good shape does not take much effort.
Never roll or fold your DTF sheets. Always store them straight on a clean surface or in drawers without bending or twisting them. This maintains the strength of the film and doesn't cause creases in it.
Store your transfers in airtight plastic bags or boxes with tight lids to save them from air and moisture.
High humidity or unstable temperatures can destroy your prints, so keep them in a place where there is no moisture and the temperature remains the same.
Make sure you keep your transfers away from any direct light or heat. Sunlight can fade the designs, and the heat can damage the adhesive on your print.
Only pick your prints from the corners when moving or handling them because the oils on your fingers or something else on your hands can stick to the film.
If stored under the right conditions, DTF transfers can stay in usable condition for six months or even longer. Some printers have reported successfully using transfers after nearly a year, though the longer you wait, the more important it becomes to test a sample before doing a full run.
To keep things organized, you can label your transfers with the date they were printed so you can use older ones first reducing wasted materials. This way, you get the same quality from every print.
Add silica gel to reduce the humidity levels inside the box or bag.
Don’t put heavy things on the transfers. Even a little pressure can leave marks or damage the film.
Keep transfers away from heat presses or dryers. The heat can warm up your storage area without you realizing it.
