DTF (direct-to-film) printing puts full-color, photo-real art on apparel with no screens and no color limits — pressed onto the garment on site in seconds. It's the fast, flexible companion to screen printing, and it shines when your Chicago event needs detail, gradients, or per-guest personalization.
Our DTF station fits the same footprint as a press and runs beautifully at McCormick Place trade shows and conventions & expos. Because there's no screen to burn, we can switch designs instantly — add a guest's name, a date, a department, or a one-off graphic without slowing the line.
When DTF is the right call in Chicago
- Detailed or full-color art — photos, gradients, fine linework, and multi-color logos with no per-color setup.
- Personalization on demand — names, numbers, and custom one-offs pressed while the guest waits.
- Mixed garments — tees, hoodies, totes, and hard-to-screen fabrics all take a transfer cleanly.
- Tight timelines — instant design swaps make DTF ideal for a packed McCormick Place schedule.
Not sure which method fits your event? Our screen printing vs. DTF guide breaks down the trade-offs, and most Chicago events run both in one station for the best of each.