Choose DTF Transfers For Fabric
- T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and tote bags.
- Cotton, poly, and blends on light or dark garments.
Houston Comparison Pillar
DTF vs UV Transfers
If it is fabric, use DTF. If it is a hard smooth surface, use UV peel-and-stick.
DTF is the fabric workflow and UV is the hard-goods workflow; using the wrong one causes avoidable failures.
Use this page to route quickly by substrate, turnaround, and application method.
Scroll to discover
DTF vs UV Transfers: Which One Should You Use?
If it is fabric, use DTF. If it is a hard smooth surface, use UV peel-and-stick.
We print both in Houston, and this page is built to prevent the common mistakes that cause rework and wasted production time.
The 10-Second Decision
Best fit Varies Not recommended
Choose UV Peel-and-Stick For Hard Goods
- Tumblers, cups, glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, and sealed wood.
- Hard + smooth surfaces where no heat press is preferred.
Houston Reality Check
- ▸Humidity and rushed prep can cause UV lifting on poorly cleaned surfaces.
- ▸Heat and urgency create method-mismatch mistakes when jobs are rushed.
- ▸Last-minute local jobs are common, so method fit must be immediate.
What DTF Transfers Are
DTF transfers are full-color heat-applied transfers built for fabrics including cotton, blends, and polyester with dark or light garment compatibility.
DTF supports no-minimum workflows and broad artwork flexibility.
What UV Peel-and-Stick Transfers Are
UV peel-and-stick transfers are pressure-applied transfers built for hard smooth non-porous surfaces.
- Recommended: glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, smooth sealed wood.
- Not recommended: fabrics, silicone/rubber-heavy surfaces, porous/rough textures.
Application: DTF vs UV
DTF (fabric)
Heat + pressure + correct peel method. Most failures come from wrong time/temp/pressure or skipped pre-press moisture removal.
UV Peel-and-Stick (hard goods)
- 1. Peel backing film.
- 2. Place on cleaned surface.
- 3. Press and rub down.
- 4. Peel carrier film.
UV placement is not effectively repositionable once it touches down.
Durability Expectations
- DTF is built for apparel wear and repeated washing when applied correctly.
- UV is durable and water-resistant for hard-goods use and light outdoor exposure.
- Use-case fit and prep quality determine real-world lifespan for both methods.
Real-world pressure test: YouTube durability video
Artwork Rules
- Preferred quality: 300-600 DPI at final print size.
- Preferred files: PDF/SVG or high-resolution transparent PNG.
- Upscaling low-resolution source art causes visible quality loss.
- Preflight checks can be requested, but manual review may add delay.
Turnaround Snapshot
- DTF same-day pickup: order by 2:00 PM CT (Mon-Sat).
- DTF same-day courier: order by 3:00 PM CT (Mon-Sat) for eligible ZIP codes.
- DTF same-day shipping handling: generally 3:00 PM CT with same-day option selected.
- UV turnaround: typically 1-2 business days.
Common Scenarios
- Crew shirts or apparel brand jobs: route to DTF.
- Tumbler and hard-goods branding: route to UV peel-and-stick.
- Mixed apparel + hard goods jobs: route from the Houston hub and split application methods.
- Unsure on substrate: if it flexes like fabric use DTF; if hard and smooth use UV.
DTF vs UV Transfers Comparison
Use this table to match the right transfer type to the right substrate and workflow.
Best For
- Teams choosing between apparel and hard-goods workflows.
- Operations teams preventing substrate-mismatch rework.
- Sales teams qualifying jobs quickly by surface type.
Not Ideal For
- Comparing DTF against plastisol for apparel-only spot-color bulk runs.
- Buyers who already selected a method and only need checkout execution.
Houston Operations Notes
- ✓DTF same-day pickup and courier windows are DTF-only service paths in Houston.
- ✓DTF same-day pickup uses 2:00 PM CT cutoff and courier uses 3:00 PM CT cutoff Monday-Saturday.
- ✓DTF shipped same-day handling generally uses 3:00 PM CT cutoff when same-day turnaround is selected.
- ✓UV turnaround is typically 1-2 business days and should be quoted separately from DTF same-day promises.
- ✓Always confirm mixed-cart timing before making same-day commitments.
Keep Exploring
Deep dive into specific transfer methods, pricing models, and our Houston operations.
up
custom transfers Houston hub
Custom Transfers Houston Hub
lateral
DTF vs plastisol comparison
DTF vs Plastisol
lateral
DTF transfer details
DTF Transfers Houston
lateral
UV transfer details
UV Transfers Houston
down
pricing for transfer choices
Transfer Pricing Houston
down
turnaround for transfer choices
Transfer Turnaround Houston
down
file requirements by transfer method
Transfer File Requirements
down
start your order
Start Order
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use UV peel-and-stick on shirts?
No. UV peel-and-stick is for hard smooth surfaces and is not recommended for fabrics.
Can I use DTF on tumblers?
DTF is designed for fabric heat application. Use UV peel-and-stick for hard-goods workflows.
What surfaces are best for UV transfers?
Glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, and smooth sealed wood are ideal use-case surfaces.
What file type gives the cleanest print?
PDF/SVG is ideal when available, or high-resolution transparent PNG at 300-600 DPI at final size.
What is the fastest way to get DTF in Houston?
DTF same-day pickup is available for qualifying orders placed before 2:00 PM CT Monday-Saturday.
Ready to Start?
Start your order now or contact a transfer specialist to confirm method, timing, and file readiness.