Are you seeing unwanted white edges around your DTF transfers? You’re not alone — and the solution may be simpler than you think. In this guide, we’ll break down the cause of white borders in DTF printing and how to fix them quickly and professionally.
What’s the Problem?
After printing, you notice that your DTF design has a thin white border, or the artwork looks slightly misaligned, especially around curved shapes or detailed text. This is a common issue in DTF printing and can affect the final transfer quality — even when everything else seems perfect.
Each DTF film brand has a slightly different coating thickness, even if it’s not obvious to the eye.
These small variations can affect the distance between the printhead and film, which impacts how precisely the printer lays down colors — especially the white underbase layer.
Main Cause: Incorrect Step Distance (Feed Gap) Setting
The most frequent reason for this white edge problem is step distance misalignment.
Every DTF film — even from different batches or brands — has slightly different coating thicknesses. While this might be invisible to the naked eye, it affects the distance between the printhead and the film, which in turn causes the white ink underbase to shift, leaving visible outlines.
This misalignment becomes especially obvious on:
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- Thin text or outlines
- Detailed designs
- High-contrast edges
- Dark-colored garments
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How to Fix White Borders on DTF Transfers
Here are the top 4 ways to eliminate white border problems on your DTF film:
- Recalibrate Step Distance
Adjust the step distance for each specific film you use. Don’t assume all films are created equal. - Run a Test Print with Thin Lines or Text
Use simple shapes or fine outlines to detect any offset before a large production run. - Avoid Switching Film Brands Without Rechecking Settings
Even a minor difference in coating thickness (like 0.01mm) can throw off your calibration. - Use RIP Software Presets
If your RIP software allows, save customized presets for each DTF film type for future efficiency.
Pro Tip: Don’t Skip the Alignment Test! Before using a new film, take 2–3 minutes to do an alignment test print. It’s a small step that can save you hours of rework and wasted materials.
Share Your Experience with Us!
Have you faced similar issues with white borders in DTF printing? Found another way to fix it? Let’s grow together — leave a comment below or DM us your tips and feedback. We love learning from our community and sharing real-world printing solutions.
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