How Much Do DTF Transfers Cost in 2026?
DTF (direct-to-film) transfers cost $2.20 to $4.50 each depending on quantity, plus a one-time $15.00 per-location setup. DTF bonds to any fabric and any color, so this guide breaks down every pricing factor for cotton, polyester, blends, and beyond.
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Price by quantity
DTF transfer cost per piece at 12, 24, 48, 100 and 250 pieces
Transfers only, at the quantity you actually have. One standard-size transfer, one location, unlimited colors. Decoration only, blank garment extra.
12
pieces
Per transfer, pressed
$4.50 /pc
One-time setup
One-time setup $15.00 per print location per order, which is $1.25 per piece across 12 pieces.
12-49 pcs tier · our minimum order
24
pieces
Per transfer, pressed
$4.50 /pc
One-time setup
One-time setup $15.00 per print location per order, which is $0.63 per piece across 24 pieces.
12-49 pcs tier
48
pieces
Per transfer, pressed
$4.50 /pc
One-time setup
One-time setup $15.00 per print location per order, which is $0.31 per piece across 48 pieces.
12-49 pcs tier
100
pieces
Per transfer, pressed
$3.00 /pc
One-time setup
One-time setup $15.00 per print location per order, which is $0.15 per piece across 100 pieces.
100-249 pcs tier
250
pieces
Per transfer, pressed
$2.20 /pc
One-time setup
One-time setup $15.00 per print location per order, which is $0.06 per piece across 250 pieces.
250+ pcs tier
Decoration only, blank garment extra. Excludes CA sales tax (10.5%), which applies to the blank garment. Minimum 12 pieces.
Prices last updated . Every figure on this page is generated from the same pricing engine our quote calculator runs on, read fresh each time the page is served, so it changes the day our prices do.
Worked example
48 Gildan 5000 tees, one standard front transfer
| Blanks (Gildan 5000)48 x $4.48 | $215.04 |
| Decoration (one standard front transfer)48 x $4.50 | $216.00 |
| One-time setuponce for the order | $15.00 |
| Total for the run | $446.04 |
| Per piece | $9.29 |
The setup is charged once per print location for the whole order, so adding pieces to the same design keeps pushing the per-shirt figure down.
Blank priced from the live S&S Activewear catalog at our standard markup; size upcharges apply on extended sizes and CA sales tax applies to the blank. Decoration and setup come from the pricing engine at the quantity shown.
2026 Pricing
DTF Transfer Pricing by Quantity (price per transfer)
Price per transfer, per piece (does not include the blank garment). Add a one-time $15.00 setup per print location.
| Quantity | Price Per Transfer | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 12-49 | $4.50 | Minimum order starts here |
| 50-99 | $3.85 | Small batch runs |
| 100-249 | $3.00 | Best value for merch |
| 250+ | $2.20 | Best rate available |
* Prices shown are per transfer, per location. Add a one-time $15.00 setup per print location and the blank garment, which is priced separately from live wholesale catalogs at wholesale x 1.75. Oversized transfers add $1.50/piece. 12-piece minimum. All prices exclude CA sales tax (10.5%), which applies to the garment only.
Price Factors
What Affects DTF Transfer Cost?
Six factors determine your final per-piece price. Understanding them helps you budget accurately and find savings.
Quantity
Per-transfer cost drops with volume: $4.50 each at 12-49 pieces down to $2.20 each at 250+. The $15.00 per-location setup is a one-time fee, so it becomes negligible on larger runs - about $0.06 per piece at 250 units.
Transfer Size
Standard transfers (up to a full front or back print) are priced at the base tier rate. Oversized transfers (extra-large graphics) add $1.50 per piece per location because they use more film and press time.
Number of Print Locations
Each location (front, back, sleeve) is a separate transfer with its own $15.00 setup fee. A front-only order is cheapest. Front + back roughly doubles the per-piece transfer cost and adds a second $15.00 setup.
Gang Sheets
DTF transfers are printed on a shared film sheet, so multiple small designs can be "ganged" together on one sheet. If you have several small logos or a mix of designs, gang-sheeting fits them efficiently and keeps your per-piece cost down.
Fabric Versatility
DTF bonds to virtually any fabric - cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, canvas, even performance athletic wear - and any garment color. Unlike DTG (best on cotton) or screen printing, the garment type does not change your transfer price.
Turnaround & Rush
Turnaround depends on our current production schedule. Standard turnaround is about 2-3 weeks after the artwork is approved and the deposit is paid. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
Setup & Gang Sheets
DTF Setup Fees and Gang Sheets Explained
Two things drive DTF pricing beyond the per-transfer rate: the per-location setup and how designs are ganged onto film.
What is the DTF setup fee?
The setup fee is $15.00 per print location, charged once per order - not per piece. A front-only order has one $15.00 setup. A front + back order has two ($30.00 total). Setup covers preparing and printing your artwork onto the transfer film. Because it is a flat one-time fee, it becomes tiny at volume: about $0.06 per piece on a 250-piece order.
What is a gang sheet?
DTF transfers print onto shared rolls of film, so multiple designs can be ganged onto a single sheet. If you have several small logos, a set of name/number combos, or a mix of designs, we pack them together to use the film efficiently - which keeps your per-piece cost down versus printing each design separately.
When does oversized pricing apply?
Standard transfers up to a full front or back print area are priced at the base tier rate. Oversized transfers, meaning graphics larger than a standard print area, add $1.50 per piece, per location because they consume more film and press time. Keeping your design standard-size avoids the surcharge entirely.
Real Examples
What Real DTF Orders Actually Cost
Three common order scenarios priced through our calculator so you can estimate your project. Add the blank garment of your choice.
Poly Athletic Jerseys (48 pieces)
Decoration
1 front transfer @ $4.50 each $4.50/ea
Setup Fee
$15.00 (1 location)
Garment
Your blank, priced live in the calculator
Decoration per piece, setup included
$4.81
DTF bonds cleanly to 100% polyester, where screen printing and DTG struggle. Setup adds only $0.31 per piece at 48 units. Add the jersey of your choice.
Transfers + setup: $231.00
Small Business Tees (100 pieces)
Decoration
Front + back transfers @ $3.00 each $6.00/ea
Setup Fee
$30.00 (2 locations)
Garment
Your blank, priced live in the calculator
Decoration per piece, setup included
$6.30
At 100 pieces you reach the $3.00 tier. Two locations = two transfers plus two setups, spread thin across 100 shirts. Add the blank tee.
Transfers + setup: $630.00
Event Merch Bulk (300 pieces)
Decoration
1 front transfer @ $2.20 each $2.20/ea
Setup Fee
$15.00 (1 location)
Garment
Your blank, priced live in the calculator
Decoration per piece, setup included
$2.25
At 300 pieces the setup is about $0.05 per piece and transfers hit the $2.20 floor. DTF now rivals screen printing on full-color art.
Transfers + setup: $675.00
Save Money
5 Ways to Reduce DTF Transfer Costs
Smart decisions during the planning phase can save you hundreds. Here are our top tips.
1. Order more quantity
Per-transfer cost drops from $4.50 (12-49) to $2.20 (250+). If you are near a tier break - say 95 pieces - bumping to 100 moves you into a lower rate on every piece.
2. Use gang sheets for multiple designs
Several small logos or a mix of designs can share one film sheet. Gang-sheeting packs them efficiently so you are not paying for wasted film.
3. Keep transfers standard size
Oversized transfers add $1.50 per piece per location. If your design fits a standard front or back print area, you avoid the surcharge entirely.
4. Consolidate print locations
Each location adds a $15.00 setup and a separate transfer. A strong single-location design is far cheaper than splitting a small budget across front, back, and sleeve.
5. Reuse your artwork on reorders
DTF transfers are printed from your digital file, so reorders skip re-artworking. Keep the same design and your reorder pricing stays lean.
Common Questions
DTF Transfer Pricing FAQ
Answers to the pricing questions we hear most from customers placing DTF orders.
How much does a DTF transfer cost?
What is the DTF transfer price per piece at 12, 24, 250 pieces?
What does a real DTF transfers order cost with the garment included?
What is DTF transfer pricing per piece at 100 pieces?
What is the minimum order for DTF transfers?
Does DTF work on any fabric?
What is a DTF gang sheet?
DTF vs screen printing - which is cheaper?
How much extra do oversized DTF transfers cost?
How long do DTF orders take?
Do bulk DTF orders get a discount?
Get Your Exact DTF Price in 24 Hours
Every order is unique. Use our instant quote calculator or send us your details and we will have a complete price breakdown for you within one business day.