DTF heat transfers are full-color designs printed on film, coated with adhesive powder and shipped ready to press. You set one on a shirt or sweatshirt, press at 320°F for 15 seconds and cold peel the film. Marie Gems has four new patriotic and military DTF heat transfers, from $2.00, and Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11.
I run Marie Gems, a DTF transfer shop in Wichita, Kansas, with sizes from 4" to 12", no minimum order and more than 500 orders shipped. I print every transfer myself, in house. The four designs below sit in a brand new collection, so this post explains what a DTF heat transfer is, what each design looks like and what a Veterans Day group order costs.
What are DTF heat transfers?
A DTF heat transfer is a design printed on specialized film and finished with a hot-melt adhesive powder, so that heat and pressure from a heat press bond it to fabric. DTF stands for direct-to-film. "Ready to press" means the printing is already done, so you need only a compatible blank and a heat press, not a DTF printer.
My listings say there is no printing, cutting or weeding on your end, and each design is printed with a built-in white base so the detail stays crisp on fabric. The transfers can work on many heat-safe cotton, polyester and blended fabrics, and you should always confirm the blank can take the heat before you press. For the wider comparison, read my post on DTF vs. sublimation vs. vinyl, or my post on heat transfers for shirts for the rest of the catalog.
What are the four new patriotic and military DTF heat transfers?
The Patriotic & Military DTF Transfers collection holds four single designs, and each comes in five sizes from 4" to 12" at $2.00 to $64.00 depending on size and quantity. They are transfers, not finished shirts.
| Design | What it shows | Made for |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day Combat Boots Cross and Flags | The words MEMORIAL DAY under a ribbon banner, a dove, a cross between two American flags and combat boots among poppies, all in black and gray | Memorial Day weekend, remembrance events, shirts for veterans and military families |
| Best Dad Ever Distressed American Flag | A worn, weathered flag in cream and red with BEST DAD EVER in distressed block letters | Father's Day, dad birthdays, patriotic and veteran dads |
| Military Mom Camo Bow Chenille Patch Look | Five camo bows, a flag, a combat boot, a military cap and dog tags around "military mom" in olive script, in olive green and cream | Deployment send-offs and homecomings, Veterans Day, moms of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines |
| Home of the Free Because of the Brave Sunflower | A half sunflower with red, white and blue petals beside HOME, FREE and BRAVE in block letters and black script | Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Flag Day |
The chenille patch texture on the Military Mom design is part of the printed artwork, not real stitched chenille, which is how the listing describes it.
Which patriotic design works on which color of shirt?
Put Memorial Day Combat Boots Cross and Flags and Home of the Free Because of the Brave Sunflower on white or light garments, and put Best Dad Ever Distressed American Flag on black, navy or charcoal. The first two have black lettering or black and gray artwork, so they show best on light fabric. The Best Dad Ever flag is cream and red, and the listing notes that cream has less contrast on white or very light fabric.
For size, the listings say smaller sizes suit totes, pockets and sleeve placements, while the 12" size fills a full adult tee or sweatshirt front. My size guide lists 10" as popular for adult shirt-front designs and notes that the listed size is the maximum design dimension.
How much do DTF heat transfers cost for a Veterans Day group order?
A single patriotic transfer costs $2.00 at 4" and $4.00 at 12", and buying 5, 10 or 20 of one design in one size lowers the price per shirt. All four designs use the same price ladder.
| Size | 1 transfer | 5 transfers | 10 transfers | 20 transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | $2.00 | $9.00 | $17.00 | $32.00 |
| 6" | $2.50 | $11.25 | $21.25 | $40.00 |
| 8" | $3.00 | $13.50 | $25.50 | $48.00 |
| 10" | $3.50 | $15.75 | $29.75 | $56.00 |
| 12" | $4.00 | $18.00 | $34.00 | $64.00 |
Two examples with those prices. Six matching shirts at 10" cost $19.25 as one 5-transfer order ($15.75) plus one single ($3.50), against $21.00 for six singles. Ten shirts for a veterans group event at 12" cost $34.00 as one 10-transfer order, against $40.00 for ten singles. My price comparison of single, 5-pack and 20-pack orders has the full breakdown for other counts.
How do I press DTF heat transfers, and can I order in time for Veterans Day?
Press at 320°F for 15 seconds with firm, even pressure, let the film cool, then cold peel it. That is the starting point from my pressing guide, and my post on how to apply a DTF transfer at home walks through each step.
For timing, my shipping policy says orders are typically processed within 1 to 2 business days after payment confirmation, and I ship Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays. Estimated delivery times show at checkout, so check that date before you count on November 11. My post on shipping and returns has the details.
Can I get a patriotic or military design that is not in the collection?
Yes, you can upload your own PNG, JPG or PDF at checkout on the Custom Ready-to-Press DTF Transfer listing, and sizes and prices match the regular transfers, $2.00 to $64.00. Read the custom DTF upload page first for the file and permission rules. For everyday dad and mom designs, browse the Dad DTF Transfers and Mom & Mama DTF Transfers collections, or see every theme in the DTF Transfers collection.