NARRABEEN & NEWPORT · SYDNEY'S NORTHERN BEACHES
Apparel Graphics — DTF Printing for Teams, Tradies & Clubs
Custom apparel graphics using DTF (Direct to Film) printing — vibrant, durable, full-colour designs pressed onto jerseys, polos, tees, caps, workwear, and custom fabric displays.
We can supply quality blank garments if you need them, or print on garments you already own. We also produce printed fabric displays for events and weddings.
WHAT IS DTF?
1. What is DTF printing and why does it matter?
How DTF printing works
DTF stands for Direct to Film — a printing method where your design is printed onto a special PET film using water-based inks, coated with a hot-melt adhesive powder, cured, and then heat-pressed directly onto fabric. The result is a full-colour, vibrant, and flexible print that bonds tightly to the fibres without cracking, peeling, or fading after normal washing.
Unlike screen printing, DTF doesn't require a separate screen for each colour, so complex full-colour artwork — logos with gradients, detailed sponsor graphics, multicolour designs — can be reproduced accurately without inflated setup costs. Unlike sublimation, which only works on high-polyester garments, DTF works on cotton, polyester, blends, and most fabrics equally well.
DTF vs screen printing vs embroidery
DTF printing
Full-colour, any fabric, no per-colour setup cost. Best for detailed logos, sponsor branding, multicolour artwork, and flexible order sizes.
Our method
Screen printing
Cost-effective for very large runs of simple 1–2 colour designs. High setup cost per colour limits viability for complex or multicolour artwork.
Embroidery
Premium, textured look for polos and caps. Best for simple logos and text. Not suited for detailed artwork or fine text.
How long does DTF printing last?
A properly applied DTF print typically withstands 50+ wash cycles without significant fading, cracking, or peeling — roughly a year or more of regular weekly washing for most team kit. We handle the application correctly every time and include care instructions with your order.
WHO WE WORK WITH
2. Who we work with
Sports teams
Touch footy, soccer, netball, surf clubs, junior teams. Jerseys, tees, polos, shorts, hoodies, and caps — consistent across the squad, with player names and numbers printed as part of the design.
Tradies — one-stop-shop
Ute decals, shopfront sign, and team uniforms — all from the same Newport workshop, all from the same artwork files. One brief, one supplier, consistent branding across every touchpoint.
Skiff sailing crews
We produce your sail graphics and hull decals — crew apparel is the natural next step. Sponsor logos on the sail should match the crew shirts and caps. Crews from Manly, Sydney Harbour, Belmont, and St George.
GARMENTS & FABRIC
3. What we can print on
Blank garments — sourced for you
If you don't already have garments, we can source quality blanks as part of your order. We work with suppliers whose range covers the styles and fits most of our clients need — tees, polos, hoodies, and caps in a wide range of colours and sizes. If you have a specific style, weight, or colour in mind, ask us and we'll confirm what's available. If you already have your own blank garments you'd like us to print on, bring them in or send them through.
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Tees — wide colour range, consistent sizing, comfortable fit for team and event use
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Polos — clean and professional for tradies, club officials, and off-field kit
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Hoodies — full-weight options for winter training and team outerwear
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Caps — structured and unstructured options for team and crew hats
What fabrics does DTF printing work on?
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100% cotton — tees, hoodies, caps
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100% polyester — performance jerseys, activewear
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Cotton-poly blends — most common blank garment fabric
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Nylon and canvas — bags, hats, accessories
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Dark or light garments — no white base garment required
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Most fabrics except very stretchy Lycra/compression wear
Also available
Beyond apparel — printed fabric displays for events and weddings
DTF printing isn't limited to clothing. Because the process works on almost any fabric, we can produce full-colour printed fabric panels for events. Custom printed tablecloth-length fabric panels make striking, reusable display pieces that are a step above a standard foam board or printed banner.
Fabric seating charts
Full-colour guest list and table layout printed on a fabric panel that drapes over a table edge. A premium, elegant alternative to a foam board or paper seating chart — and fully reusable for styled shoots or repeat events.
Fabric bar & drinks menus
Drinks menus, cocktail lists, and bar signage printed on fabric and draped or displayed at the bar. Works beautifully for weddings, corporate events, and venue displays where something softer than a rigid sign is the right fit.
You supply the fabric panel (or we can advise on a suitable material), and we produce the full-colour DTF print to your dimensions and artwork.
For other wedding signage — welcome boards, seating charts on acrylic, table names and menus — see our wedding signage page.
ARTWORK & DESIGN
4. Artwork, design, and getting your order ready
What artwork do you need to supply?
The ideal starting point is a vector file of your logo or design — AI, EPS, or PDF with all text outlined. Vector files scale to any size without quality loss. If you only have a JPEG or PNG, it can sometimes work depending on resolution — we can connect you with a trusted local designer to redraw it as a vector if needed.
No in-house designer — here's how we help
We guide you through placement decisions — where a logo sits, what size a number should be, how a sponsor panel should be laid out — and connect you with designers who understand apparel and fabric decoration. Nothing gets printed until you've confirmed the layout looks right.
Minimum order quantities and turnaround
DTF printing is well-suited to smaller orders because it doesn't carry the colour-setup cost of screen printing. We do have a minimum order quantity — contact us with your requirements and we'll confirm whether your order size works. For orders with a firm deadline, tell us upfront and we'll build the timeline around it.
PRICING
5. Pricing and how to get a quote
Every order is different
Pricing depends on the number of garments or fabric pieces, print size and complexity, whether you're supplying blanks or we're sourcing them, and any artwork involved. We don't publish set prices — a quote without knowing your requirements wouldn't be accurate.
What affects the cost
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Number of garments or fabric panels in the order
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Print size and placement — chest, front, back, sleeve, or full-panel fabric display
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Whether you supply blanks or we source quality garments for you
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Complexity of artwork — simple logo vs full-colour sponsor panel or seating chart
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Turnaround time — standard vs rush
Getting a quote
Contact us with your garment type or fabric panel dimensions, number of pieces, print requirements, and any artwork or brand guidelines. For sports teams, tell us which sport and how many players. For event fabric displays, tell us the dimensions and content. We'll come back to you within one business day.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before getting in touch.
DTF stands for Direct to Film — your design is printed onto transfer film, coated with adhesive powder, and heat-pressed onto fabric. Unlike screen printing, which requires a separate screen for each colour, DTF handles full-colour, detailed artwork without per-colour setup costs. For sports teams, tradies, and clubs with detailed logos and sponsor branding, DTF is almost always the more practical option. We'll tell you honestly if screen printing makes more sense for your job.
What is DTF printing and is it better than screen printing?
How long does DTF printing last on a shirt?
A properly applied DTF print typically lasts 50+ wash cycles without significant fading, cracking, or peeling — roughly one to two years of regular weekly washing for most team kit. The key factors are correct application at the press and garment care: wash cold, inside out, skip the hot dryer. We handle the application correctly and include care instructions with every order.
Can you supply the garments as well as print them?
Yes — we source quality blank garments as part of any order, in a range of styles, colours, and sizes to suit team kit, workwear, and casual use. If you already have your own garments to print on, that works too — just bring them in or send them through. If you have a specific style in mind that you're not sure we can source, ask us and we'll let you know what's available.
Can you do printed fabric panels for weddings and events?
Yes — DTF printing works on fabric panels just as well as garments, so we can produce full-colour printed tablecloth-length fabric displays for weddings and events. We've produced fabric seating charts that drape over a trestle table and fabric bar menus for drinks displays — premium, reusable alternatives to foam board or paper signage. If you have a specific event fabric display in mind, get in touch and we'll talk through dimensions, fabric, and artwork requirements.
Can you print player names and numbers on jerseys?
Yes — names and numbers are one of the most common apparel requests we handle, particularly for touch football, soccer clubs, and skiff sailing crews. We print each name and number as part of the DTF design, consistent in font, size, and position across the whole order. You supply the player list and number assignments, we handle the rest, and we keep your file on record for easy mid-season reorders.
Can you do our apparel and our vehicle signage and signs from the one order?
Yes — this is one of the things that makes MTM Signage genuinely useful for tradespeople and small businesses. We produce vehicle graphics, shopfront signage, and apparel graphics all from our Newport workshop, all from the same artwork files. Your logo on the ute looks the same as the logo on the shirt, because it came from the same file, produced by the same people. One brief, one supplier, less back-and-forth.
Do you do apparel for skiff sailing crews?
Yes — crew apparel is a natural extension of our skiff branding work. We already produce sail graphics, hull decals, and sponsor panels for 13ft, 16ft, and 18ft skiff crews, so bringing the crew kit into the same conversation makes the whole package more consistent. Sponsor logos on the sail should appear on the crew shirts and caps the same way. Brief us on the whole package — sails, hull, and apparel together — and we'll quote it all at once.
How do I get started with an apparel or fabric display order?
Contact us through our enquiry page with what you need — garment type or fabric panel dimensions, quantity, your logo or brand guidelines, and any deadline you're working to. For sports teams with a season start date, tell us upfront so we can make sure you're ready in time. For event fabric displays, don't leave it too close to the event date — we'll give you a realistic turnaround when you enquire.