FOR APPAREL BRANDS & PRINT-ON-DEMAND PARTNERS
Specialty DTF Transfers Built for Streetwear & Fashion Brands
Five tactile DTF finishes — VelvetTouch™, SkinSoft™, FoamRise™, GlowLux™, and EmbossStitch™" — made through Sublistar's hybrid screen-print + DTF process.
Free for brands
Shipping at cost
From 300 pcs
Your artwork, paid
From 5,000 pcs
Factory-direct, worldwide
Why Sublistar Specialty Transfers
Quality You Can Feel, Scale You Need
Three reasons streetwear and fashion brands choose Sublistar specialty heat transfers.
Texture Without the Equipment
Skip the R&D, the screen-printing setup, and the six-figure machine investment. We've engineered the hybrid screen-print + DTF process so you only need a standard heat press to deliver premium tactile prints.
From Samples to Bulk Production
Test new collections with low-risk 300-piece sample runs, then scale to 5,000+ for production drops. One factory, one process, consistent results from prototype to retail launch.
Built to Survive Real Wear
Every Sublistar finish is wash-tested to industrial standards — no cracking, no peeling, no color fade after repeated cycles. Your customers wear the print, not just the shirt.
FIVE SPECIALTY FINISHES
Five Specialty DTF Finishes, One Hybrid Process
Five tactile finishes from a single Sublistar workflow —click any finish to jump to details.
VelvetTouch™
Velvet-Effect DTF Transfers
A textured, slightly raised surface with the fingertip-pleasing roughness of genuine velvet — engineered into a ready-to-press DTF transfer film. VelvetTouch™ uses Sublistar’s hybrid screen-print + DTF process to deliver a tactile finish that flat DTF prints simply can’t replicate. Built for streetwear that wants to be touched, not just seen.
- Distinct Tactile Texture — A subtle grain that fingertips notice immediately, separating your prints from generic flat DTF.
- Soft Visual Depth — The matte, slightly textured surface absorbs light differently than glossy DTF, giving designs a vintage, hand-crafted feel that pairs perfectly with heavyweight cotton.
- Streetwear-Grade Durability — Industrial wash tested. The texture holds, the colors stay, and the surface refuses to crack or peel under real-wear conditions.
SkinSoft™
Soft-Touch DTF Transfers
The opposite of plastic. SkinSoft™ produces an ultra-smooth, skin-like surface that disappears into premium fabrics — the kind of finish luxury basics, athleisure, and minimalist streetwear demand. Sublistar’s hybrid screen-print + DTF process replaces the stiff, glossy hand-feel of standard DTF with something your customers will actually want to wear next to their skin.
- Skin-Like Smoothness — A silky, almost-imperceptible surface that flows seamlessly into the fabric. Customers will feel the difference the moment they touch it.
- Built for Premium Basics — Engineered for high-end tees, athleisure, loungewear, and inner-layer streetwear where comfort matters as much as design.
- No Plastic Hand-Feel — Eliminates the stiff, glossy surface of standard DTF. Your prints integrate with the garment instead of sitting on top of it.
FoamRise™
3D Puff DTF Transfers
Bold, dimensional, impossible to ignore — FoamRise™ delivers the classic 3D puff print effect that streetwear has loved for decades, now reimagined as a ready-to-press DTF transfer film. No plastisol mess, no screen-printing setup, no special foam ink. Just press
and watch your design rise.
- Real Dimensional Lift — Designs rise off the fabric surface after pressing, creating a tactile, sculpted look that flat prints can never achieve.
- Bold on Heavyweight Apparel — Engineered for hoodies, oversized tees, varsity jackets, and sweatshirts where dimension reads loud and proud.
- DTF Convenience, Puff Print Impact — Replace your plastisol puff workflow with a single press. No screens, no curing oven, no specialty ink inventory.
GlowLux™
Glow-in-the-Dark DTF Transfers
The simplest way to add an unforgettable nighttime moment to streetwear drops, concert merch, and limited collections. GlowLux™ charges under any light source and emits a vivid green or blue glow once the lights go out — printed as ready-to-press DTF transfer film, not vinyl or screen ink.
- Vivid Green/Blue Glow — Charges in seconds under any light source, glows for up to 5~6 hours after a full charge.
- Same Easy Application — No special heat press, no learning curve. Press it like any standard DTF transfer.
- Built for Limited Drops — Perfect for tour merch, midnight releases, Halloween collections, and any moment that needs to be seen after dark.
EmbossStitch™
3D Embroidery-Effect DTF Transfers
The look of authentic embroidery — without the thread, the bulk, or the four-week patch lead time. EmbossStitch™ uses a multi-layer
DTF process to recreate the raised, stitched texture of real embroidery in a press-on transfer that ships in days, not weeks. Branded patches, varsity letters, and streetwear logos that read
embroidered from across the room.
- Embroidered Look, Press-On Speed — Multi-layer raised texture mimics the depth of real stitching, but applies in seconds with a standard heat press.
- Lighter, Thinner, More Flexible — Real embroidery patches add bulk and stiffness. EmbossStitch sits closer to the fabric, moves with the garment, and survives industrial wash cycles.
- Designed for Branding at Scale — Perfect for sleeve logos, back-of-neck labels, varsity chest pieces, and any streetwear drop where you want embroidered prestige without the embroidered cost or lead time.
HOW IT WORKS
From Inquiry to Doorstep in Three Steps
No machines to buy. No production setup to learn. Just submit your needs, approve a sample, and we ship the finished transfer films directly to your facility.
01
Tell Us What You Need
Submit a quick request — pick your finish (Velvet, Soft-Touch, Puff, Glow, or Embroidery-Effect), describe your project, share your target volume, and we’ll confirm fit within one business day.
02
Get Your Sample
Pick your sample path: a free pre-printed pack covering all 5 finishes (you cover shipping, ships in 1–3 days), or paid custom samples printed with your own artwork from 300 pcs (ships in 5–7 days).
03
Approve and Receive
Once your sample is approved, place your production order from 5,000 pieces. We produce, quality-check, and ship worldwide — international shipping included, no surprise fees, no markup. Your transfers arrive ready to press onto your blanks.
Ready to start? Get your free sample pack today.
FAQ
How durable are specialty DTF transfers compared to standard DTF?
Specialty DTF transfers are engineered to match the extreme durability of standard DTF, typically withstanding 50+ commercial wash cycles without peeling or fading. However, to preserve the unique tactile textures of finishes like FoamRise™ (3D Puff) and VelvetTouch™, we strongly recommend washing garments inside out in cold water (below 40°C/104°F) and avoiding high-heat tumble drying.
Do specialty DTF films require different heat press settings than standard DTF?
Yes, specialty DTF finishes require specific temperature and pressure adjustments. While standard DTF is highly forgiving, a 3D effect like FoamRise™ needs a precise heat curve (usually around 150°C-160°C) to activate the foaming agent properly without flattening the design. Always use a cold peel method for specialty films unless specified otherwise, and refer to the specific Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for precise parameters.
Are there any design limitations when using 3D Puff or Faux Embroidery
Yes, physical texture effects have structural limits. Because FoamRise™ expands when heated, extremely fine lines (under 2mm) or tiny negative spaces may close up or lose definition. Similarly, EmbossStitch™ requires sufficient surface area to accurately replicate the woven thread look. For ultra-fine details and small typography, we recommend using our SkinSoft™ or standard DTF transfers.
What types of fabrics are compatible with specialty DTF transfers?
Our specialty DTF finishes bond securely to a wide range of substrates, including 100% Cotton, 100% Polyester, Cotton/Poly blends, Denim, and treated Leather. If you are printing on highly stretchable athletic wear or performance fabrics, SkinSoft™ is the ideal choice due to its enhanced elasticity and ultra-thin, breathable profile.
Should I use a hot peel or cold peel method for these specialty finishes?
The majority of textured specialty films, particularly VelvetTouch™ and FoamRise™, strictly require a Cold Peel application. Allowing the transfer to cool completely ensures the specialized coating and adhesives set firmly into the fabric fibers. Attempting a hot peel on a raised or velvet finish can cause the design to lift, warp, or ruin the tactile effect.
Are GlowLux™ (Glow-in-the-Dark) and other specialty transfers safe for children's apparel?
Absolutely. Our specialty DTF inks, powders, and PET films are formulated to be eco-friendly, non-toxic, and skin-safe. They meet stringent global textile safety standards (such as OEKO-TEX® principles), ensuring they are free from harmful heavy metals and phthalates, making them fully compliant for infant and children’s streetwear brands.