How to Prepare Images for DTF Printing?

DTF printing is a state-of-the-art technology that is changing the fashion garment and decoration industry. Image quality is a key factor affecting the effect of DTF printing. Today, I will share some common image processing tips to help you process images and ensure that the final product presentation does not deviate from the image.

This article uses PS as an example for introduction and demonstration. In addition, you can also use Photopea, canvas and other photo editing app/software

1. Modify the Image Format

If your design is fine and you just need to change the image format or your image cannot be directly imported with PS, you can use this method to quickly solve the problem. No network or software installation is required.

Specific steps:

1. Select the image - click the right mouse - open with - paint

2. Enter the paint page - click the top file - save as - select the format you want (usually PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, HEIC, GIF)

2. Create a New Page Correctly in PS

If your design needs to be processed and optimized using PS, please create a new canvas first and pay attention to the following matters:

1. Canvas size: Determined by the size of your DTF printer, usually just set the width

2. Resolution: Set to 300dpi to ensure that the exported image is high-pixel. If the imported image is too low-pixel, it can also be modified in PS, which will be described in detail below

3. Color profile check: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

3. Image Cropping, Scaling, Position Adjustment, and Size Modification

Note: If the image is a smart object and cannot be edited, please rasterize it (select the layer - right click - select rasterize layer), but please note that when you need to adjust the image size, please convert it to a smart object again to prevent the image pixels from changing.

3.1 Image Size Crop - 3 Ways

• Create a new canvas (recommended): Create and set the desired canvas size in Photoshop, then import your image.

• Use the Crop tool: Manually, Proportionally, or by Fixed Ratio to adjust the image to suit your needs.

• Quick Resize: Press Ctrl + Shift + I in Photoshop to quickly resize the image.

3.2 Image scaling and position adjustment

You can drag the image into the new canvas and reposition and resize it. To resize, click on the corners and hold Ctrl + Shift for proportionate resizing. To move the image, click in the center and drag, using guides to place it. When done, click the √ to accept. To adjust later, press Ctrl + T for free transform.

3.3 Image size modification

In PS, if you want to view or adjust the image size

1. You can click Window - Properties (usually already checked), select the layer to be modified, and adjust the size, but be careful not to deform the image (proportional adjustment)

2. Image - Image Size - Modify (this method is only suitable for viewing and modifying when opening the image directly in PS)

4. Image Element Deletion and Extraction

This can help you remove unwanted elements or collect the designs you want. We need to use some tools. They have their own characteristics but are essentially the same. They help you select an area to remove or extract

Specific steps:

1. Click the lasso tool (if the desired selection area is standardized and large, you can use the rectangular selection tool)

2. Circle the elements to be removed/extracted

3. Remove: Select the corresponding layer and click the Delete key on the keyboard

4. Extract: Select a layer and press Ctrl+J to copy the selected pattern to a new layer

5. Remove the Image Background and Save it as Transparent

DTF print images require a transparent background because this prevents the background color from affecting the design, keeps the design simple and neat, and ensures accurate transmission of the target material, especially for detailed and complex designs.

Specific steps:

1. Create a new page and drag in the photo (refer to the instructions in the previous article)

2. Click the corresponding layer of the image - right click - rasterize

3. Select the background: Use the magic wand tool or the quick selection tool to select the background area to be deleted. (If the background is complex, you can use the lasso tool to select manually)

4. Delete the background: After making sure that the background is fully selected, press the Delete key to delete it, and the background will become transparent.

5. Check the background area - hide the background layer

6. File - Export - Export as - png format (pixel: 300dpi color mode: sRGB IEC61966-2.1)

Tips:

• If the edges of the graphic are clear and the colors are simple, you can click on the top selection - subject - get the selection - ctrl+J - get the image layer - hide the original layer and background layer - check the background and export it to png format

• You can also use some convenient online background removal tools: remove.bg，background-erase 

6. Simple Tips - Adjust the Contrast and Color of the Image

Simple tips can help you improve image details and enhance color saturation and contrast.

Specific steps:

1. Select the image layer you need to modify

2. Ctrl+M to bring up the curve

3. Select contrast - select the appropriate effect or click the curve to adjust it yourself

4. Color correction: Image - Auto Tone, Auto Color (suitable for adjusting images with incorrect tones)

Effect comparison:

7. How to Adjust the Image Resolution to 300 dpi? 

Principle:

The quality of the image is closely related to the printing effect. Increasing the resolution (for example, pixel density) can make the printout clearer and more delicate. Increasing the pixel points means more image details per inch, making the image appear clearer and of better quality. However, it will also increase the file size of the image.

Effect comparison:

 

Specific steps:

1. Drag the image into the software（PS or Photopea）

2. Select the layer of the image that needs to be modified

3. Select Image-Image Size

4. Change the DPI of the image to 300 (check Resample)

5. Export the image: File - Export - Export As - Select the required image format (Select Excellent for quality and check Convert to sRGB)

The specific operation is shown in the figure:

If the above processing is not effective or difficult to understand, you can also use img upscaler, pixelcut, etc.

8. Export the Image Correctly

Click File - Export - Export to PNG format, but please confirm again when exporting the image:

• Is the image background transparent?

• Is the image pixel 300 dpi?

• Is the image size and position appropriate?

• Is the color mode sRGB IEC61966-2.1

9. Make a Gang Sheet

9.1 What is a gang sheet?

A gang sheet is a single layout that combines multiple designs or graphics onto a large sheet of paper. This method is widely used in DTF printing, especially for T-shirt designs, logos, or custom graphics, and is ideal for bulk orders.

If the elements are not separate and have transparent backgrounds, they can be pre-processed as described above.

9.2 How to operate

1. Drag into the canvas: Drag the image to be printed (make sure the background is transparent) into the canvas (if you need the image, you can copy it in PS)

2. Determine the image size: Press Ctrl + T to freely transform-determine the size

3. Click the corresponding image to arrange it

4. Export to PNG format

10. Create Spot Colors

Steps:

1. Open the image with PS

2. Image - Mode - CMYK mode

3. Delete the image background - click the image layer and hold down ctrl, the image selection will appear

4. Click Channel - Create the first spot color channel - Select black as the color

5. Create the second spot color channel - Select black as the color

6. File - Export - Export as - Select TIFF file format

Video demonstration of creating spot colors:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZUSWROARe