Start with your film's own sheet. The numbers below come from retailers and blogs, not from the film makers. They are here to show how much settings vary. If they disagree with your supplier sheet, follow the sheet.
By fabric (one retailer's guide)
| Fabric | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | 310 to 320°F | 12 to 15 seconds |
| Polyester | 280 to 300°F | 8 to 12 seconds |
| Cotton/poly blend | 300°F | 10 to 12 seconds |
| Nylon and performance fabrics | 280 to 290°F | 8 to 10 seconds |
Source: Transfer Kingdom, DTF heat press settings. It says to peel "hot, warm, or cold depending on film," and describes an optional light second press of 2 to 3 seconds with parchment.
The common window
Other retailers describe a typical window of 300 to 320°F, 10 to 15 seconds, medium to firm pressure, and many films are cold peel. These came from search summaries of retailer pages, so treat them as context.
- DTF Transfers Now, pressing instructions (seen through a search summary)
- Perfecpress, DTF temperature and time settings
- ProWorld, DTF application instructions (seen through a search summary): one sheet that reads 315°F, medium, 15 seconds, cold peel, then a 5 second press under a cover sheet
Why the numbers do not agree
Compare this page with the UltraColor MAX and Siser guides. The makers say 290°F. Retailers say 300 to 320°F. All of them can be right, because these things change the answer:
- Hot or cold peel. It depends on the film. Transfer Express alone lists hot, warm, and cold peel across its products.
- Temperature and time. Film, powder, ink, fabric, and press all move them. Stahl's says its settings are for its Hotronix presses.
- Second press and cover sheet. Some films want one. Stahl's UltraColor MAX says no cover sheet for the first press.
- Pressure. Gauge numbers and psi differ by press brand, so "medium" on one press is not "medium" on another.
What we will not state as a fact
- How many washes it lasts. Sources range from the 50 or more cycles Stahl's reports from lab testing to "75 to 100+" in retailer blogs. We only quote the maker's figure, and only for that maker's product.
- How long unpressed transfers keep. Retailers disagree, from about 12 months to up to 3 years. Ask us, or follow your film maker's guidance.
- The first wash. Several retailers say to wait 24 hours, wash inside out, and skip bleach and fabric softener. That is common retailer advice, not on the maker pages we read.