What Side of DTF Film Do You Print on?

by HuJulia Updated on March 06, 2025

Direct-to-film (DTF) is a digital process that prints designs onto a PET transfer film, which can then be heat-transferred onto fabric. The PET DTF film has two sides, one feels rougher while the other comes off glossier. Many first-time users are confused about what side of DTF film to print on, and what's the difference between the two sides.

To clear your doubts, this article will present to you the answer and bring along comprehensive explanation of mirroring DTF transfers.

What is DTF Film?

DTF film, or Direct-to-Film film, is a type of special film with coating. It's specifically designed for use with DTF printers, which are specialized machines used in the apparel industry for printing designs onto various fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and blends.

The latest DTF printing new comer, xTool Apparel Printer, together with its compatible PET Apparel Printer Film, can deliver stunning prints within just one click. The fully automated print-to-bake process powered by AI system brings along easy and efficient printing experience. The DTF film will be printed, powdered, cured, and transferred to all kinds of materials smoothly.

Identify the Correct Side of DTF Film to Print on

Normally, DTF film has two sides, one is coated and the other is uncoated. And the coated layer is more suitable for printing as the specially-coated layer can ensure proper ink adhesion.

Coated Side: The DTF film has a specially coated side designed to hold the ink and adhesive powder. This is the side you should print on. This side is less glossy and feels rougher.
Uncoated Side: The other side is typically uncoated and smoother. Printing on this side will not yield good results. And it can lead to ink smudging, poor adhesion, and overall inferior print quality.

How to Determine the Correct Side

Since we've understood the differences between two sides of DTF film, here are a few ways that can help you better determine and recognize the correct side to print on.

Inspection by Eyes or Hands: The coated side may appear slightly matte or have a different texture compared to the uncoated side. You can either directly observe or touch the film to figure out the coated side.
Water Test: Lightly sprinkle water on both sides. The coated side will absorb the water slightly, while the uncoated side, which is glossy, will repel it.
Manufacturer’s Instructions: Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines, as they may provide specific instructions or markings to identify the correct side.

Conclusion

To wrap up, to guarantee your optimal DTF transferring results, it's recommended to mirror image for DTF. If your design is symmetrical or contains special non-directional patterns, then skipping the mirroring step is also acceptable. Whether DTF needs to be mirrored is totally up to your choice.