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Custom apparel for your schools, church, sports teams, fundraisers, and special events.

Direct to Film Printing • Manchester, Connecticut

DIRECT TO FILM (DTF) PRINTING FOR LOW-MINIMUM CUSTOM SHIRTS

Need fewer shirts, more colors, or detailed artwork? ARM offers low-minimum Direct to Film printing with vibrant full-color detail, graphic design help, and 7–10 day turnaround.
Low MinimumsFull-Color DetailCotton, Poly & Blends
Mon – Fri: 9am to 4pm Call (860) 649-6295

Serving Manchester and Central Connecticut since 1991.

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Step 1 of 2 · Project basics

Get a Fast Direct to Film Quote

Start with four quick details. Add project information and artwork on step two.

    Upload Your Artwork or Reference Images

    You may upload up to 3 JPG, PNG or PDF files. Maximum 3 MB per file.

    Free quote • No obligation • Local Manchester print shop
    Established 199135+ years of custom printing experience.
    7–10 DAY TURNAROUND Get your custom apparel without waiting weeks.
    LOW MINIMUMSA practical option when you don't need a large bulk order.
    GRAPHIC DESIGN AVAILABLENeed help getting your artwork print-ready? We can help.
    Why Direct to Film

    Looking for no-minimum custom shirts?
    Small Order? This Is Where Direct to Film Shines

    You may not need a true one-shirt print-on-demand service. ARM offers low-minimum Direct to Film printing for customers who need a smaller custom shirt order without committing to a large screen-printing run.

    01

    Made for Small Batches

    Need a smaller quantity for a staff, club, event or test run? Direct to Film makes low-minimum custom apparel much more practical.

    02

    Full Color Without Color Screens

    Your design is printed digitally, so multi-color artwork does not require a separate screen for each ink color.

    03

    Fine Detail & Gradients

    Logos with small details, gradients, illustrations and photographic elements can reproduce cleanly in full color.

    04

    Flexible Garment Options

    Direct to Film transfers can be applied to common apparel fabrics including cotton, polyester and blends.

    Direct to Film transfer being applied to a custom shirt
    What Direct to Film Means

    Printed on Film. Heat Applied to Your Garment.

    Direct to Film printing is a digital apparel process. Your artwork is printed onto a special transfer film, an adhesive layer is applied and cured, and the finished transfer is heat-pressed onto the garment.

    01
    Your artwork is prepared digitallyFull-color art can include fine details, gradients and complex color combinations.
    02
    The design is printed onto transfer filmColor and a white underbase are built into the transfer for strong opacity.
    03
    Heat-activated adhesive is appliedThe transfer is prepared so the printed image will bond to the garment.
    04
    The transfer is heat-pressed onto apparelCommercial heat and pressure bond the finished design to the shirt or garment.
    Start a Direct to Film Quote Start a Direct to Film Quote
    Small Runs. Big Possibilities.

    Custom Shirts Without the Bulk-Order Mindset

    You do not have to know printing terminology to know what you need. Direct to Film is especially useful when the order is smaller, the artwork is colorful, or the project needs flexibility.

    Small Businesses & Crews

    Staff shirts, launch apparel, small teams and branded workwear without committing to a large run.

    Schools, Clubs & Groups

    Spirit wear, club shirts and smaller group orders where the quantity may not justify screen setup.

    Teams & Youth Programs

    Small rosters, coaching apparel and group shirts with colorful logos or detailed artwork.

    Events & Fundraisers

    Custom apparel for local events, volunteers and special projects when you only need the amount you can actually use.

    Merch Tests & Short Runs

    Try a new graphic or limited design before committing to a larger production run.

    Detailed Full-Color Artwork

    Illustrations, gradients, photos and logos with many colors are a natural fit for digital Direct to Film printing.

    Full-color Direct to Film apparel printing equipment and printed shirts

    More Colors. Less Setup.

    Because the image is produced digitally, Direct to Film can handle colorful artwork without building a separate screen for each color in the design.

    Choose the Right Print Method

    Direct to Film vs. Screen Printing

    Both methods can produce excellent custom apparel. The best choice depends on quantity, artwork and garment. Here is the practical difference.

    Project
    Direct to Film
    Screen Printing
    Smaller quantities
    Usually a strong fit because there are no color screens to set up.
    Can become less economical when setup is spread across only a few pieces.
    Many colors, gradients or photo detail
    Excellent fit for digital full-color artwork.
    Possible, but complex artwork can require more screens, inks and setup.
    Large runs with simpler artwork
    Still an option, depending on the garment and project.
    Often the most economical choice as quantities increase.
    Garment flexibility
    Works well across common cotton, polyester and blended apparel.
    Very versatile too, with ink and setup selected for the garment and job.
    Print feel
    The transfer sits on the fabric and can have a slightly raised feel.
    Hand feel varies by ink, coverage and print technique.

    Not sure which method you need? You do not have to decide before contacting us. Send the project details and ARM can help point you toward the better fit.

    Help Me Choose Help Me Choose
    A Simple Quote-to-Print Process

    From Your Idea to Finished Custom Apparel

    The fastest way to get started is to tell us what you need and upload whatever artwork or reference files you already have.

    01

    Tell Us the Basics

    Share your approximate quantity, garment type and needed date.

    02

    Upload Your Artwork

    Send up to three artwork or reference files with the quote request.

    03

    We Review the Project

    ARM reviews the art, quantity and garment to determine the best production approach.

    04

    We Print & Press

    Once approved, the Direct to Film transfer is produced and heat-applied to your apparel.

    Heat press applying a custom transfer to a black T-shirt

    YOUR ARTWORK DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PRINT-READY

    Have a logo, sketch, rough design or just an idea? That's enough to get started. ARM offers graphic design help to prepare your artwork for production.

    Tell us the quantity, garment and basic idea, then upload whatever artwork or reference files you already have. We'll help with the rest.

    Local Direct to Film Printing

    Direct to Film Printing in Manchester, Connecticut

    ARM Screen Printing is based in Manchester, CT and serves businesses, schools, teams, organizations and events throughout Connecticut. Whether you’re nearby in Hartford County or elsewhere in the state, our team can help with low-minimum Direct to Film custom apparel.

    If you are searching for low-minimum custom shirts, small-order T-shirt printing or a local Direct to Film (DTF) printer, send us your project details and we will help you determine the best way to produce it.

    Manchester Hartford East Hartford Glastonbury South Windsor Vernon Tolland Bolton
    ARM Screen Printing 307 E Center St, Manchester, CT 06040
    (860) 649-6295
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    Best of 2026 - Screen Printing Award
    Direct to Film Printing FAQ

    Questions About Small-Batch Custom Shirt Printing?

    You do not need to know the print method before requesting a quote. These are the questions customers usually have when deciding whether Direct to Film is a good fit.

    What is Direct to Film printing?

    Direct to Film printing is a digital apparel method that prints artwork onto transfer film, applies heat-activated adhesive, and then heat-presses the finished transfer onto the garment.

    Is Direct to Film good for small custom shirt orders?

    Yes. Direct to Film does not require a separate screen for each ink color, which makes it especially practical for low-minimum and small-batch custom apparel.

    Why would I choose Direct to Film instead of screen printing?

    Direct to Film is especially useful for smaller quantities, designs with many colors, gradients, fine details or photographic elements. Screen printing can still be the better value for larger runs and simpler artwork.

    What fabrics can Direct to Film be used on?

    Direct to Film transfers are commonly used on cotton, polyester and blended apparel. The exact garment still matters, so include the garment type in your quote request.

    Do I need to know whether Direct to Film is the right method?

    No. Tell us what you want printed, the approximate quantity and the garment. ARM can review the project and help determine whether Direct to Film or screen printing makes more sense.

    Can I upload artwork with my quote?

    Yes. The quote form allows you to upload up to three artwork or reference files so we can understand the design before getting back to you.

    Can Direct to Film handle full-color designs and gradients?

    Yes. Digital Direct to Film printing is well suited to full-color designs, gradients, small details and artwork that would otherwise require multiple screen-printing colors.

    How fast is Direct to Film printing?

    ARM offers a typical 7–10 day turnaround for Direct to Film custom apparel. Timing can vary based on garment availability, quantity, artwork and project requirements, so include your needed date when requesting a quote.

    Can ARM help with my artwork or design?

    Yes. Graphic design help is available if your artwork is not print-ready or if you need help turning an idea, logo or reference image into artwork suitable for production.

    Need a Small Run of Custom Shirts?

    Tell ARM what you need, upload your artwork and get a free quote for Direct to Film custom apparel in Manchester, Connecticut.

    Get a Free Direct to Film Quote
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