Why We Only Do DTF (And How It Stacks Up Against Screen Printing)

We get this question a lot:
“Do you guys offer screen printing too?”

Short answer? Nope — and for good reason.
We’ve gone all-in on DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing because it does everything screen printing does — and more — with less fuss, more flexibility, and results that absolutely slap 🔥

Let’s break it down 👇

🎨 What is DTF Printing?

DTF (Direct-to-Film) is a modern print method where your artwork is printed in full color onto a special film, then heat pressed onto your tee, hoodie, tote, or whatever you’re into.

We use a custom-built press that gives your prints a soft-touch feel — with a hint of texture that feels a lot like traditional screen printing, but smoother and way more consistent.

It looks clean, feels good, and lasts.

🚫 Why We Don’t Bother With Screen Printing

Screen printing’s been around forever, and yeah, it still works — but only if you’re doing hundreds of simple designs.

If you’re an artist, a small brand, or you need something fast, full color, and without big setup costs, screen printing just doesn’t cut it.

DTF gives us (and you) the freedom to:

• Print tiny runs or big batches

• Get full-color detail and gradients

• Skip expensive setup fees

• Turn jobs around way faster

• Press on way more types of garments

So we made the call early on — DTF only, all day 🙌

📊 DTF vs Screen Printing: The Full Comparison

👊 Who Is DTF For?

Let’s be real — if you’re not printing hundreds of the same tee for a promo event, DTF is just a better fit.

It’s perfect for:

• Artists dropping limited runs

• Brands doing multi-style collections

• Fast-turnaround orders

• One-off customs or reprints

• Jobs with color and detail that screen printing can’t handle

You get the freedom to create without the pressure to bulk order.

🤔 What About the “Screen Printed Feel”?

We’ve heard it before — some people miss the classic texture. That slightly raised, tactile vibe.

That’s why we’ve tuned our press to give each print a subtle texture, not just a flat patch. The result? Something that looks sharp, feels pro, and has just the right amount of lift — no plasticky transfer feel.

📦 What Can We Print On?

Almost anything:

• Tees

• Hoodies

• Crewnecks

• Nylon jackets

• Tote bags

• Stubby coolers

• Hats and headwear
  If it sits flat, we can probably print it ✅

📩 Let’s Make Something

We print on AS Colour, Gildan, American Apparel, Comfort Colors — or you can supply your own blanks.

Got an idea? Flick it through.

📧 print@trap-door.com
💬 Request a Quote

No setup costs. No minimums. No headaches.
Just top-tier DTF prints — done right here in Coolum Beach, QLD 🇦🇺