Tips, ticks and setup for your UV DTF stickers
See below for instructions about file setup, and application for your UV DTF stickers.
UV DTF is designed specifically for hard surfaces - think glass, metal, ceramics, plastics. This makes it PERFECT for candle jars, skincare bottles, packaging, acrylic and so much more!
Below, we will tell you all the reasons we LOVE UV DTF, as well as artwork tips, and how to apply instructions.
File instructions for UV DTF
We know it's frustrating to receive an order that doesn't quite match what you expected. To help you get the best possible result, here's how to prepare your UV DTF artwork before sending it to print.
- Minimum of 300dpi
- Artwork should be vector-based (if designing in Canva and importing elements or your logo, use SVG — not JPEG or PNG). If you do not have a vector file, we can accept a PNG file (make sure your artwork has a transparent background).
- Files must be saved as a PDF OR PNG (with transparent background)
- Keep artwork edges sharp — clean, well-defined edges print best. Effects like neon glow, drop shadows, translucency, or soft/fading edges can print poorly due to the white under base layer
- Your UV DTF stickers will be scaled to fit within the width and height provided, depending on which reaches its limit first. The final sticker will never exceed either of these dimensions. So make sure you measure correctly.
- If you aren't sure of exact width of your DTF sticker, you can also provide the file size, and we will print the text to the same specifications.
Please note, UV DTF stickers are printed on sheets, and will need to be trimmed down by hand as you use them. We do not cut them into individual stickers. Please crop the file as close to the edge of the design as possible.
Design tips
To get the best out of your design, here are a few tips and you can take into account when designing your decal.
- We recommend a font size minimum of 7, the bigger the better. UV DTF is best for larger, more prominent designs, rather than lots of small text.
- Thin details and narrow gaps can be lost during production. Elements thinner than 0.6mm may not survive printing, so keeping details at or above this thickness is essential for a legible design.
- Artwork thinner than 0.6mm may result in not printing at all, breaking apart when peeling the film, and thin lines or letter parts failing to transfer, as they can't pick up enough adhesive power.
- Avoid designs where there is lots of letters/text squished together. Designs with elements and text spaced apart works better.
How to apply UV DTF stickers
Follow these simple steps to apply your stickers perfectly. Slow and steady gets the cleanest result.
Clean and dry the surface
Peel the backing away
Position the decal
Press firmly
Peel
Step six
Troubleshooting
Bubbles under the sticker
Bubbles usually happen when air gets trapped during application — most often from pressing the design down all at once instead of working from the centre outward, or applying to a surface that isn't completely clean and dry. To avoid bubbles, make sure your surface is clean and dry, apply in a warm room, and press firmly from the centre outward, smoothing as you go. If a small bubble does appear, it will often settle within 24–48 hours as the adhesive cures — or you can gently prick it with a pin and smooth the air out.
Edges lifting after a day
Lifting edges usually come down to the surface not being fully clean, dry or oil-free before application, which stops the adhesive from bonding properly at the edges. It can also happen if the edges weren't pressed down firmly enough during application, or if the sticker was applied to a curved or textured surface without smoothing the outer edges in fully. To prevent this, always clean and dry the surface thoroughly first, and finish by running your finger or a squeegee firmly along all the edges to seal them down completely. If lifting does happen, simply press the edge back down firmly — a light pass with a hairdryer on low heat beforehand can help the adhesive re-bond more securely.
Some of the design is coming up when peeling the top film
This usually happens when the design wasn't pressed firmly enough onto the surface before peeling, especially around edges, corners or any curved areas where full contact can be harder to achieve. It can also happen if the surface wasn't completely clean, dry or oil-free, which stops the adhesive from gripping properly in those spots. To avoid it, press firmly and evenly across the entire design — working from the centre outward — and give extra attention to edges and any curves to make sure they're fully bonded before peeling. If part of the design does lift with the film, gently press that section back down onto the surface and slowly re-peel the film at a low angle (180 degrees), going more slowly over that area this time.
Colours look duller in person, than the computer screen
This comes down to how each format creates colour — screens use RGB light, which can produce brighter, more vibrant tones, while printing uses CMYK ink, a process with a smaller colour range than what a screen can display. That difference in colour range is why what you see on screen won't always match exactly what comes out printed.