Glossary
Technical terms and abbreviations used in DTFPro and in the DTF and large-format printing industry. Terms are organized by category.
Printing and Production
DTF (Direct to Film)
A printing technique in which artwork is printed onto a special polyester film (PET Film) using ink and adhesive powder, then transferred to fabric using a heat press. Works on virtually any type of fabric (cotton, polyester, blends) and on both light and dark fabrics.
DTF Transfer
The final product of the DTF process before application: the printed film with the artwork, ready to be heat-pressed onto fabric. Also known as a ready-to-press design in the context of retail sales.
Sublimation
A printing process in which sublimation ink is transferred to a material by heat. The ink bonds permanently with the substrate, resulting in very durable prints. Works only on polyester-coated substrates (light-colored fabrics and rigid objects such as mugs and panels).
Large Format
Printing on large-dimension materials: banners, PVC banners, adhesive vinyl, signage, and high-area paper. Typically printed on plotters or UV printers.
Film (PET Film)
A polyester film used as the intermediate substrate in the DTF process. The artwork is printed onto it and, after powder application and curing, the film is transferred to the fabric in the heat press.
DTF Powder (Hot Melt Powder / Adhesive Powder)
A thermofusible adhesive powder applied over the wet ink on the DTF film. When heated in the press, the powder melts and creates the bond between the print and the fabric.
Heat Press
Equipment that applies controlled heat and pressure to transfer the DTF print from the film to the fabric. Parameters (temperature, time, pressure) vary depending on the fabric type and film supplier.
White Ink
A layer of white ink applied in the DTF process that serves as an opaque base for all other colors. Essential for printing on dark fabrics — without it, colors would appear transparent over a dark background.
RIP (Raster Image Processor)
Specialized software that processes artwork files and sends instructions to the printer, with precise control over colors, resolution, and ink management. Examples: Wasatch, Ergosoft, Cadlink.
Heat Transfer (Pressing)
The step in which the DTF film is applied to the fabric using the heat press. Also called application or transfer.
Quality and Files
DPI (Dots Per Inch)
A measure of image or print resolution. Indicates how many dots are printed per linear inch. For DTF, a minimum of 300 DPI is recommended for professional quality. Files below 150 DPI generally appear pixelated in the final print.
Resolution
The level of detail in an image, expressed in DPI or pixels. Higher resolution means higher quality and a larger file size.
CMYK
The color model used in printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key/Black. Artwork for printing should be saved in CMYK for the most faithful color reproduction in the final output.
RGB
The color model used on digital screens: Red, Green, Blue. Artwork created in RGB may show color differences when printed, because printing uses CMYK.
Transparent Background
When a PNG image has no background color — only the artwork itself, with the surrounding areas transparent (shown as a grey-and-white checkerboard pattern in image editors). Essential for DTF, as it ensures only the artwork is transferred to the fabric.
Bleed
A safety margin added around the artwork to avoid white edges after trimming. Typically 3 mm to 5 mm. More common in large-format and offset printing.
Vector / Vector Artwork
Artwork created from mathematical equations (lines and curves) that can be scaled without any loss of quality. Formats: SVG, AI, CDR, EPS.
Raster / Bitmap Artwork
Artwork composed of pixels. When enlarged beyond the original resolution, it becomes pixelated. Formats: PNG, JPEG, TIFF.
File Formats
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
An image format that supports transparent backgrounds. It is the most recommended format for uploading DTF artwork.
JPEG / JPG
A compressed image format with no transparency support. Good for photographs, but loses quality with each save.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
A universal format for documents and artwork. Preserves vectors, fonts, and images at their original quality, regardless of size.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
An uncompressed image format used in professional pre-press workflows. Files are large but offer maximum quality and layer support.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
A code-based (XML) vector format. Can be resized without quality loss. Supported by DTFPro.
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
Adobe Illustrator's native format for vector artwork. Supported by DTFPro.
CDR (CorelDRAW)
CorelDRAW's native format for vector artwork. Supported by DTFPro.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
A vector format compatible with various graphic design applications. Supported by DTFPro.
DTFPro Platform
Order
A print request placed by a client in the portal. Each order has a unique number in the format #PH-XXXX (e.g., #PH-0042), one or more items with files and dimensions, and follows a status flow through to delivery.
Draft
An order started by the client but not yet submitted to the print shop. The client can continue editing before confirming.
Order Number (#PH-XXXX)
A unique sequential identifier for each order within the print shop. Used for tracking and communication. Each print shop has its own sequence.
Pre-check (File Review)
A process in which a print shop operator reviews the order files before sending them to print, checking resolution, color mode, transparent background, and overall quality. If enabled by the print shop, it is mandatory for all orders.
Sheet Builder (Canvas Editor)
DTFPro's visual editor that lets clients arrange multiple artworks on a single print sheet, positioning, resizing, and rotating images. The price is calculated in real time based on the total area covered.
Gang Sheet
An optimization technique where multiple artworks are grouped onto a single print sheet to make better use of the material and reduce the cost per artwork. DTFPro's Sheet Builder makes it easy to create gang sheets.
Ready-to-Press Designs
Pre-created artworks made available by the print shop in the portal catalog. Clients purchase them without uploading their own files.
Job Ticket
An internal document generated for each order, containing technical specifications, client data, and production information. Used by operators to execute the job.
Tenant (Print Shop)
Each print shop registered on DTFPro is a "tenant." The system is multi-tenant: all print shops share the same infrastructure, but each shop's data is completely isolated.
Whitelabel
Visual customization of the portal. Each print shop configures its own name, logo, colors, and domain — clients see only the print shop's brand, with no mention of DTFPro.
Slug
A unique text identifier for a print shop in the system, used in the web address. Example: demo.dtfpro.com.br — the slug is demo.
Order Statuses
Submitted
Order confirmed and sent by the client. Awaiting payment or the start of the review.
Awaiting Payment Validation
Pix receipt sent; the print shop team will validate and confirm receipt.
Paid
Payment confirmed. The order joins the production queue.
Under Review / Pre-check
An operator is analyzing the order files.
Corrections Requested
The operator rejected the files and requested adjustments. The client must correct and reupload.
In Production
The order is being printed at the print shop.
In Finishing
Cutting, lamination, or other finishing steps after printing.
Ready
Order complete; awaiting pickup or dispatch.
Awaiting Pickup
Order available for collection at the print shop.
Shipped
Order in transit to the delivery address.
Delivered
Order received by the client. Final state.
Canceled
Order canceled before delivery.
Finance and Payments
Pix
Brazil's instant payment system operated by the Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil). Transfers available 24/7, with no fees for individuals. The standard payment method on DTFPro.
Receipt (Comprovante)
A document generated by the bank after a Pix transfer, confirming the payment. The client uploads the receipt in the portal so the print shop can validate it.
Wallet
A pre-paid credit balance inside DTFPro. The client deposits in advance and uses the credits to pay for orders without sending a receipt each time. Orders paid with the wallet move to production immediately.
Shared Wallet
A company's (PJ) wallet. The balance is shared among all members linked to the company.
Faturamento PJ
A payment mode for companies in which orders are placed within a credit limit approved by the print shop, with payment by invoice at the end of the period.
Top-Up Bonus
Extra credits granted by the print shop when a client deposits above a certain amount in the wallet. Example: deposit R$ 1,000.00 and receive R$ 1,100.00 in credits (10% bonus).
Pricing Tier
An area range with a specific price per m². The larger the area, the lower the unit price. Example: 0–0.5 m² = R$ 180/m², 0.5–1 m² = R$ 150/m².
Total Pricing Mode
A calculation mode in which the tier reached by the order's total area applies to the entire area. The per-m² price is uniform for the whole order.
Marginal Pricing Mode
A progressive calculation mode: each portion of area is priced according to its corresponding tier (similar to progressive income tax calculation). Larger orders benefit more.
Documents and Identification
CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas)
The individual taxpayer identification number in Brazil, composed of 11 digits. Issued by the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue Service).
CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica)
The company taxpayer identification number in Brazil, composed of 14 digits. Issued by the Receita Federal.
Inscrição Estadual (IE)
The state registration for companies that are ICMS taxpayers. Required for companies that sell goods. Composed of 9 to 14 digits, varying by state.
PF (Pessoa Física)
An individual client, identified by CPF. On DTFPro, has a personal wallet and places orders individually.
PJ (Pessoa Jurídica)
A company or organization, identified by CNPJ. On DTFPro, PJ accounts have a shared wallet, member management, and centralized orders.
PJ Administrator (admin_pj)
The user role responsible for managing the company account on DTFPro. Can invite and remove members, monitor all company orders, and request wallet top-ups.
Metrics and Measurements
Linear Meter (ML)
A unit of length measurement: 1 meter. Used to measure the length of film rolls or large-format materials.
Square Meter (m²)
A unit of area measurement: width × height in meters. Used to calculate the price of print services on DTFPro.
Metragem (Print Area)
The total print area of an order, measured in m². Example: an artwork of 30 cm × 40 cm = 0.12 m².
A3 and A4
ISO standardized paper formats:
- A4: 21 cm × 29.7 cm
- A3: 29.7 cm × 42 cm
Used as size references in the printing industry.