UV-DTF PRINTING

Top Quality Prints at Wholesale Prices

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Various sheet sizes available

Choose the pre-set size that best fits your needs or add various sheets to your basket to create a custom size.

What Is UVDTF Printing?

 

UVDTF (Ultra Violet Direct-to-Film) printing is a cutting-edge printing method that allows you to create high-quality, durable, full-colour decals that can be applied to almost any hard surface.

Unlike traditional vinyl or sticker printing, UVDTF uses UV ink and a special transfer film to produce vibrant, scratch-resistant, and waterproof prints that stick seamlessly to surfaces such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, acrylic, and ceramics.

Why Choose UVDTF?

UVDTF printing is quickly becoming the go-to solution for businesses and creators who want professional, durable, and eye-catching designs without limitations. Here’s why:

Vibrant & High-Quality Prints

UV inks deliver bold colours, sharp details, and a premium finish that stands out on any surface.

Strong & Long-Lasting

The prints are scratch-resistant, waterproof, and UV-protected, ensuring they don’t fade or peel over time — even outdoors.

Works on Almost Any Surface

Apply UVDTF decals to glass, plastic, wood, metal, ceramics, acrylic, and more. If it’s smooth and hard, UVDTF sticks beautifully.

No Weeding or Messy Application

Unlike vinyl decals, there’s no weeding, no heat, and no transfer tape hassle. Just peel, stick, and press for a clean finish.

Perfect for Custom Branding

From mugs, bottles, laptops, and phone cases to signage, décor, and promotional products — UVDTF makes it easy to add your brand anywhere.

How it works

In just 5 easy steps!

PRINT

Your digital design is printed onto a special PET film using a UVDTF printer with high-quality CMYK and white inks then topped with clear varnish.

CURE

The inks are instantly cured with UV lights, locking in vibrant colours and durability, then laminated with a thin clear PET film.

CUT TO SIZE

Cut the desired size and shape around the artwork.

PEEL AND STICK.

Simply peel the backing and apply the decal to your chosen surface.

FINISH

Peel off the laminating film and your all done.

quality guaranteed

What makes Drop of Colour UVDTF printing supplies unique?

Our UVDTF supplies are carefully curated to ensure high-quality prints. We offer:

Premium UVDTF films for consistent results.
High-quality Resins for durability.
Vibrant, fade-resistant inks.
Excellent customer support to assist with any questions.

Artwork Advice for DTF Printing Success

To achieve the best results with your UVDTF prints, please follow these guidelines:

Resolution: Use images with at least 300 DPI for clear and sharp prints.

Colour Mode: Submit your artwork in CMYK mode for accurate colour reproduction.

File Formats: We accept PNG, SVG, PDF, Photoshop (PSD), Illustrator (AI), and CorelDRAW (CDR) files.

Size & Bleed: Ensure your design fits within a 280mm sheet size and includes a bleed if needed to avoid cut-offs.

No Colour Limits: UVDTF printing allows for unlimited colours, meaning you can print full-colour designs with gradients and fine details without restrictions.

Product Size: Accurately sizing your artwork is very important, as the size we receive it will print in that specific size.

Safe Zone: Keep important elements within a safe zone—a margin around the edges of the printable area—to avoid them being cut off during the printing or transferring process.

Design Tips: Use bold, simple elements for better clarity in prints.

Backgrounds: If there is a background, it will print. Remove all backgrounds either by using a colour knockout or completely removing them.

Effects: Avoid using glow effects, gradients, or drop shadows, as they will print as solid colours. UVDTF applies a solid white ink behind coloured pixels, regardless of opacity, which will affect how these effects appear in the final print.

FAQ

General Questions

Our rates starts from R150.00 for a 280mm wide x 500mm long UVDTF Printed Sheet. For consumables or bulk orders feel free to ask for a quote at orders@dropofcolour.co.za

We are located at 9 Kronen Close, Strand, Cape Town, 7139

You can reach us through:

  • Email: support@dropofcolour.co.za
  • Phone: 063 684 6086
  • Live chat on WhatsApp

Products and Usage

We offer a variety of UVDTF films, including:

  • A and B Films.

Inks

500ml, 1litre

  • Cyan
  • Magenta
  • Yellow
  • Black
  • White

Varnish

  • 1 Litre

And the list goes on … we add new items from time to time so come check in again.

UVDTF prints are extremely versatile and can be applied to almost any smooth, hard, non-porous surface, including:

    • Glass – mugs, bottles, windows, décor items

    • Metal – tumblers, signage, tools, keychains

    • Plastic – phone cases, containers, packaging, gadgets

    • Acrylic – awards, displays, signage, ornaments

    • Wood (sealed/smooth) – coasters, boxes, décor pieces

    • Ceramics – mugs, tiles, plates, décor items

    • Stainless Steel – flasks, travel mugs, promotional products

    • Leatherette / PU Leather – notebooks, wallets, covers

    • Coated Surfaces – painted items, laminates, glossy finishes

Basically: If the surface is smooth, rigid, and non-porous, UVDTF will stick beautifully.

 

UVDTF software cannot distinguish between the design and the background,transparent pixels or glow effects. If your image that you send has a background it will print what is on the image, and may result in an unwanted appearance. 

A gang sheet refers to a technique that combines multiple designs on a single sheet for printing. This process helps reduce costs and improve efficiency by printing several designs together, rather than individually.

A single Gang Sheet can be any size you choose in the shop, as an example you can select a 280mm x 1000mm or a 280mm x 4000mm this depends on how much of your artwork you can cram into that space, remember to leave a small gap between the images (we recommend 3-5mm), you will need to cut them out before pressing.

For long-lasting results:

To make sure your UVDTF decals stay vibrant, strong, and professional-looking, follow these simple tips:

  1. Apply to clean, smooth surfaces – Make sure the surface is free of dust, oils, and moisture before applying.

  2. Avoid porous or textured materials – UVDTF bonds best to hard, non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, plastic, and ceramics.

  3. Press firmly – Use even pressure to ensure the adhesive layer bonds completely.

  4. Hand wash preferred – For items like mugs and bottles, gentle hand washing will extend the life of your design.

  5. Keep away from harsh chemicals – Strong solvents, abrasives, or extreme heat may damage the print.

 

With proper care, UVDTF decals can last for years without peeling, fading, or scratching — even with daily use.

    1. Inspect the decal & surface

      • Check the sticker for damage and make sure the backing and any clear transfer carrier are intact.

      • Make sure your surface is appropriate: smooth, hard, non-porous (glass, metal, sealed wood, acrylic, coated plastic, ceramic).

    2. Clean the surface thoroughly

      • Wipe with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth to remove dust, grease, and fingerprints. Let it fully air dry.

      • Don’t use oily cleaners (they can leave residue).

    3. Plan the placement

      • Measure and mark lightly with a pencil or tape. Use a piece of masking tape as a temporary guide or make a hinge (see next step).

    4. Use the hinge method for perfect alignment

      • Place a strip of tape along the top edge of the decal to form a hinge.

      • Fold the decal up on the tape hinge and peel the backing paper away from the exposed half (or peel backing entirely if you prefer working that way).

    5. Apply the decal

      • Lower the exposed adhesive side onto the surface, then slowly lower the rest while keeping alignment.

      • If the decal comes on a clear transfer carrier: apply with carrier on top (carrier holds the print in place).

    6. Squeegee from the center outward

      • Use a squeegee or a stiff plastic card and press firmly from the center toward the edges to remove air and ensure full contact. Work in overlapping passes.

    7. Remove the transfer carrier (if present)

      • If your decal has a clear top carrier/transfer tape, peel it back slowly at a low angle (180°) while holding the decal down with your other hand or squeegee.

      • If parts lift, lay the carrier back down and squeegee again, then continue peeling slowly.

    8. Smooth & finish

      • Run the squeegee over the whole decal again with firm pressure. Pay special attention to edges and corners.

      • If tiny bubbles remain, either press them out toward the edge or use a fine pin to make a small hole and smooth the air out.

    9. Curing & initial care

      • Allow the adhesive to set — avoid heavy handling for 24–48 hours for best bond.

      • Hand wash only for the first 3 days if the decal is on an item that will be washed (mugs, bottles). Avoid hot water and abrasives.

    10. Extra protection (optional)

    • For high-wear or outdoor use, consider a clear protective coat (spray lacquer, varnish, or professional clear coat) or a primer before application if surface is challenging.

    • Note: not all sealers are compatible — test first on a spare piece.

We also offer a range of supplementary services—including gang sheet setup, trimming, vectorization, and background removal—for an additional fee (see the T&C page). For a personalized quote, please email us at orders@dropofcolour.co.za.

It’s the buyer’s duty to provide accurate, high-quality artwork. While we might alert you to any glaring problems, ensuring that the artwork is high-resolution and vectorized is ultimately up to you. For larger projects, we suggest doing a small test run first to guarantee the final output meets your expectations.

Ordering and Shipping

You can order directly from our website or contact our sales team for bulk purchases.

Literally any image can be printed, but lets face it you want it to be perfect,

Ensure you follow these easy guidelines to get the best we can offer.

  • Vector, pdf, png, tif, .pdf, .svg, .ai .cdr and psd are accepted
  • Files with minimum of resolution 300 – 900 dpi
  • Send your artwork at the exact size you want it printed. it will be printed in the size you submit it in.
  • Save your artwork as a CMYK file. If you send an RGB file it will be converted to CMYK.
  • Spot colour artwork will be converted to CMYK.

Maximum width is 280mm should you setup your own sheet. Please use WE TRANSFER (www.wetransfer.com) to send your files through to us if over 10MB. Email address: orders@dropofcolour.co.za

Please do not flip/mirror your image. if you mirror of flip your images it will be printed in reverse.

Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping costs and delivery times vary based on location.

We courier Worldwide and offer an overnight delivery service to non-rural areas. we have the Courier Guy integrated in out site and tracking numbers will be supplied to track your order.

Or you can select to do a local pickup if that is better suited to you.

We typically complete orders within 3 business days, not counting weekends or holidays. If you order today, processing begins on the next business day. While we aim to accelerate our turnaround whenever possible, expedited delivery cannot be guaranteed.

Please see T&C page for more details.

YES. we offer an expedited SAME DAY printing service for an additional charge of R250.00. To qualify, ensure your order is print-ready and the artwork is submitted before 11AM. Any orders placed after this time will automatically be processed on the next available business day.

You can track your order via the waybill number we will provide. Alternatively, you can email us on Support@dropofcolour.co.za

If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help you achieve amazing results with Drop of Colour DTF printing supplies!