How to Print DTF on Black Shirt?

How to Print DTF on Black T-shirts?

Learn how to take your black shirt designs to the next level with this helpful guide for DTF printing on dark-colored apparel.

Written by Procolored - Published on Feb 18, 2025

7 minutes read

Written by Procolored - Published on Apr, 10, 2025

Whether you’re designing t-shirts for fun or you’re already running a home design business, DTF printing is one of the best ways to create vibrant, colorful designs that stand the test of time — even on black clothing.

Even better, DTF printing on shirts is surprisingly quick and easy, so you can start creating your own branded designs fast.

Here’s How It Works

Unlike screen printing and other popular mediums, DTF (or direct-to-film) printing produces consistently high-quality colors by using specialized film to transfer your designs directly to fabric, allowing every aspect of your design to pop.

To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies, including:

A DTF printer

DTF film sheets

DTF ink (CMYK+White)

Hot melt powder

Heat press machine

Black cotton or polyester shirt

Once you’ve got your materials ready, you can start designing and DTF printing on your favorite black shirts in 6 simple steps!

Step 1: Prepare Your Design

The beauty of DTF printing is that you can choose to use your DTF printer to create branded products for your business, design personalized gifts, and everything in between!

First, create your shirt design using graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW. These platforms will allow you to give your image a transparent background, which is crucial for DTF printing.

If you want to take your design to the next level, incorporate white lines and graphics. This will help your design stand out against black fabric and ensure that evey detail shines through.

Step 2: Print the Design on DTF Film

As we’ve mentioned, a DTF printer uses specialized film to transfer your design directly to the fabric. Products like Procolored DTF Printer make this process quick and easy, but there are still a few things to keep in mind when loading DTF film into your printer.

How To Use Your DTF Printer:

First, print the color layer (CMYK) in reverse.

Then, print a white ink layer over the CMYK to ensure opacity and visibility on the black fabric.

Use Procolored's RIP software to adjust ink saturation and printing preferences for the best results.

Step 3: Apply the Hot Melt Powder

DTF printers use a hot melt powder to create a powerful adhesive between your design and the shirt, so you’ll need to apply the powder immediately after printing. Do your best to evenly coat the powder over your design while the ink is still wet, and shake off any excess when finished.

Step 4: Cure the Powder

Once your powder has set, you’ll need to cure it by placing the film into an oven. You can also use a heat press if you don’t make direct contact with your design and risk smudging it.

We recommend setting the temperature to around 325°F (163°C) and heating for 2–3 minutes until the powder becomes glossy and fully adheres to the ink.

Step 5: Transfer the Design to the Shirt

Now, the really exciting part!

To transfer your DTF printer design to your black shirt, lay the shirt on the heat press and make sure it's smooth and wrinkle-free. Next, place the prepared DTF film design side down onto the shirt.

How To Make Sure Your Design Sticks:

Set your heat press to 320°F (160°C)

Apply firm pressure for 15-20 seconds

Let the shirt cool for a few seconds before peeling the film

Step 6: Protect Your Colors

It’s no secret that transferring colorful designs to black clothing is a challenge, but keeping those colors from fading is an even bigger issue.

If you want to ensure your designs are vibrant for countless washes to come, try using an extra heat press to get every detail of your design fully locked in. With proper care, DTF printing on shirts can keep your designs crisp and crack-free for countless washes, and the vibrant color payoff makes it the most effective way to place graphic designs on dark-colored apparel.

Tips from the Procolored Pros:

#1: Use Advanced Ink Layering Technology

Unlike white fabrics, black fabrics require much more ink to create a vibrant, eye-catching appearance. That’s why the Procolored DTF printer is equipped with advanced ink layering technology, ensuring you visibly vibrant results for every project.

#2: Add Extra White Ink To Your Design

No matter what your designs look like, adding an extra dose of white ink is the easiest way to stand out against a black canvas. Our printers give you the freedom to increase white saturation and even utilize a double layer of white ink, taking your design to the next level.
For more DTF printing design tips and tricks, check out Procolored’s website today.