We Are DTF Transfers: From Kitchen Printing to Online Sales
Holly Dixon and Ashley Harris – sisters and co-owners of We Are DTF Transfers have officially been in business for a little over a year. The duo designs, prints, and sells custom direct-to-film (DTF) transfers via its e-commerce website wearedtftransfer.com.
Dixon first started to dabble in the industry in 2019, printing designs with her Cricut and making T-shirts from her kitchen. Eventually, she opened a clothing boutique and put apparel decoration to the side for a while. That was until two years later when she came across a pink heat press and everything changed. She was tired of buying graphic Ts to sell in her boutique and wanted to print and produce her own. She just wasn’t sure how.
Getting into DTF
First, she explored screen-printed transfers, even direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and screen printing, but none of them felt like the right fit.
The 24″ unbranded DTF printer with an Epson I3200 dual print head.
“We didn’t want to be in a box. With DTG, you have to use certain shirts,” Dixon shares. “The reason we went with DTF is because screen printing has a tendency to crack. So, with DTF, I feel like it’s the future, and the quality, you just can’t beat it.”
After buying pre-made DTF transfers once, Dixon saw a business opportunity. That’s when she started to pitch the idea of starting a separate, custom DTF transfer business to her sister Ashley. It didn’t take much convincing, and the pair was ready to get printing, operating out of the back of Dixon’s boutique.
They started with one 13″ Epson L1800 printer, added another, and ran into some challenges. One was the role of humidity in the printing process.
“We had no idea how important humidity was at that time,” Harris says. “So, we went through a lot of learning curves. We eventually upgraded to a 24″ dual-head printer, and that’s the best thing we could have done. If we could go back and do it again, we would have started with that.”
While We Are DTF Transfers runs about 328′ in transfers every two days, Dixon says it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it process. “It’s not plug and play,” she explains. “You have to be a mechanic. She’s (Ashley) changed burnt breakers. We have to rewire things. But you can’t just throw in the towel, even though we wanted to. We just figure it out and roll with the punches.”
Asking how running a custom transfer business differs from an apparel business, Dixon says the transfer business has less overhead overall, including less stocked inventory.
“It doesn’t have to be a ‘pretty’ business,” she says. “With apparel you have inventory, a lot of money is always on the line. With DTF printing, you are making fewer, but more expensive, purchases. We order supplies once a month, and it’s a big lump sum at once, but after that purchase, we are set for the month. Both have their pros and cons, just like with any business.”
Planning Growth and Overcoming Challenges
Eager to grow, the duo says business has taken off quickly, and they’re looking to add a second 24″ DTF printer to keep up with demand. The pair attended the 2023 PRINTING United Expo to learn about their options domestically.
“In the past, we bought direct from a factory overseas, which has been a good experience, but this time we are wanting to buy from a company in the U.S. so that we get customer service, troubleshooting support, hands-on training, and knowledge,” Dixon shares.
Currently, Harris says DTF-focused Facebook groups have been the pair’s saving grace when troubleshooting issues. “Facebook groups have been a huge help and some people that have helped us through there, we know they’re here (at the Expo), so we’re going to try to meet them and thank them,” she says.
That’s the beauty of the Expo — being able to network with peers, have conversations with friends and potential partners in person, and explore the latest technology.
We Are DTF Transfers Co-owners Ashley Harris (left) and Holly Dixon.
Beyond troubleshooting help, the pair has also used Facebook to get in front of new customers. Additionally, Dixon says the business has gained plenty of organic traffic from Google searches.
Asking if they have any advice for other apparel decorators looking at investing in DTF printing, Dixon tells businesses to choose a printer that makes sense for their needs.
“The printer you decide to go with is going to be based on the amount that you’re going to be printing,” she says. “So, I guess I wouldn’t just go super big at first if you’re just starting out.”
For those not quite ready to take on the equipment, decorators can purchase custom DTF transfers from businesses like We Are DTF Transfers and test out the process, ensuring it makes sense for their business and customers.
We Are DTF Transfers offers several premade transfers for all the occasions you could imagine. They also offer custom transfers, as well as gang sheets, which Dixon says is the most cost-effective way to get into DTF printing.
