How to prepare DTF halftone preparation in Photoshop?

Published on 28.10.2024.

Compared to DTG (Direct to Garment) printers, DTF has a disadvantage when printing semi-transparent graphics. Thus, it is not possible to use PNG graphics that have semi-transparency - i.e. transparency, because an underlying color is printed under each pixel. In addition, printing huge filled square designs onto the t-shirt creates a plastic feel whether screen printed with plastisol inks, flex foils or DTF. DTG achieves good results in the softness and airiness of the print, but DTF is superior in durability and more vibrant colors because it uses an extremely strong adhesive that binds the transfer to the T-shirt.

In order to overcome this problem, the method of creating DTF prints in the halftone process is becoming more and more popular. Below, read the instructions on how to make a halftone version of your graphic that will be much softer to wear and blend better with the color of the t-shirt.

Keep in mind that each graphic is specific - depending on the color of the shirt for which the graphic is being prepared, so we advise experimenting when following our instructions.

During the halftone process, part of the detail is lost, and the level of detail depends on the settings used. In order to better illustrate the halftone effect, we used very aggressive settings to make the effect more visible.

To follow the following tutorial, you will need Adobe Photoshop and the graphics you want to apply the halftone process to.

Written instructions:

Open Photoshop, load your graphics. Under the graphic, make a layer in the color of your shirt - in our case - black shirt - black layer. Duplicate the layer with your graphic. Ultimately you should have 2 layers one above the other.

Convert the top duplicate of your graphic to a "Smart Object". Then double-click on the top layer to open editing in a new tab.

Editing in a new tab:

It is necessary to turn everything into gray - grayscale. Do this by clicking on Image -> Mode -> Grayscale

If Photoshop asks you if you want to discard all color information - click -> Discard

Graphics will appear in Grayscale mode.

Then open Image -> Mode -> Adjustments -> Levels

In the Levels settings, you can influence the display by moving the marked sliders. Drag the left slider all the way to the right, and drag the right slider all the way to the left. In the graphics view all that is white it will be the same as in the original, a all that is gray it will be halftone. Adjust the sliders until you are satisfied with the display on the screen.

Then select Image -> Mode -> Bitmap in the menu

Depending on the resolution of your original graphics (input), enter the desired output. A good starting point is that the output is divided by 2, but be sure to experiment until you get the result you want.

In the next dialog, select the frequency, angle and shape of the halftone. A good starting point for DTF is a frequency of 24-30. The lower the number, the bigger the point, and the higher the number, the smaller the point, and use a line or a point for the shape.

DTF printers will have difficulty printing dots smaller than 0.5mm, so the smallest dot should be 0.5mm or larger. Although DTF printers are able to print with a very high resolution - the problem occurs when printing a white substrate and the fact that the DTF print is sprinkled with glue. If the dot is too small, there is a high possibility that the underlying white paint and/or glue will not accept very small dots and therefore transfer to the t-shirt.

After clicking on OK, a black and white graphic with an applied halftone effect will appear in the window. To save - click CTRL+S or close the tab in Photoshop, after which a dialog will appear asking you if you want to save before closing.