$8.64total
22 x 12 in, 264 square inches
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UV DTF Stickers for Tumblers, Drinkware, and Hard Surfaces
Regular price From $8.64Unit price per
Overview
What is a UV DTF transfer
A UV DTF transfer is a printed decal that sticks to hard surfaces without heat. It comes in two layers: the printed design and a transfer film on top. You peel the backing, press the design onto the surface with your fingers or a squeegee, rub it down, and peel the top film away. The design stays. No press, no heat, no oven, no curing time.
You will also see them called UV DTF stickers or UV DTF decals. In our catalog they are the same product: we print the design, you stick it on. The word "transfer" comes from the last step, when the design moves from the film onto your item. One thing to know before you start: once it touches the surface, it cannot be repositioned.
That is what separates it from the DTF transfers we print for apparel. Those need a heat press and go on fabric. UV DTF goes on hard, smooth surfaces: glass and ceramic, metal and stainless steel, hard plastic, and smooth or sealed wood. Those are the surfaces we have tested, and the full list, including what we have not tested yet, is further down this page. For a longer read, here is what UV DTF transfers are, in depth.
Turnaround
Same day production at no extra cost
Every UV DTF order confirmed before 1:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday, goes into production the same business day. There is no rush tier and no surcharge for it: whatever length you pick, you pay the same $0.72 per inch. Same day production is part of the price, not an upgrade.
Orders confirmed after 1:00 PM ET go into production the next business day, and weekends and holidays do not count as production days. Same day means production, not delivery: once your order ships, the time in transit depends on the shipping method you choose at checkout.
Pricing
UV DTF transfers wholesale: $0.72 per inch, 22 in wide
UV DTF prints on 22 inch wide film at $0.72 per linear inch, flat. You choose the sheet length on the product page with a slider, from 12 to 168 inches, one inch at a time. That works out to about $0.0327 per square inch. There is no volume tier: a 12 inch sheet and a 96 inch sheet cost the same per inch.
$17.28total
22 x 24 in, 528 square inches
$34.56total
22 x 48 in, 1,056 square inches
$69.12total
22 x 96 in, 2,112 square inches
Gang your designs onto one sheet the same way you would with apparel transfers. The more you fit across the 22 inch width, the less each one costs, and the table below shows how that works out. To compare it with our other products, see the UV DTF price per inch on our pricing page. Buying for resale? Send us your resale certificate through our Tax Exemption form.
Per sticker
What one UV DTF sticker costs
You pay for the sheet, not per sticker, so the cost of one sticker depends on how many fit. Here is our own layout math for square designs on a 22 inch wide sheet.
| Sheet length and price | 2 x 2 in designs | 3 x 3 in designs | 4 x 4 in designs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in, $8.64 | 45, about $0.19 each | 18, about $0.48 each | 10, about $0.86 each |
| 24 in, $17.28 | 90, about $0.19 each | 42, about $0.41 each | 25, about $0.69 each |
| 48 in, $34.56 | 189, about $0.18 each | 84, about $0.41 each | 55, about $0.63 each |
How we counted: designs in straight rows with 0.25 inch between them, no rotation and no nesting. It is an estimate of what fits, not a production count, and it leaves out shipping and sales tax. Mixed sizes or a tighter layout can fit more.
Application
How to apply a UV DTF transfer
No press, no heat. All you need is a clean surface and something to rub the design down with.
1
Clean the surface
Clean the surface. Isopropyl alcohol on a lint free cloth, then let it dry completely. Oils from your hands make a decal lift later.
2
Peel the backing sheet
Peel the backing sheet and keep the design on the top film.
3
Position it and press down
Position it and press down. Once it touches the surface it cannot be repositioned, so line it up first. Start from the center and work out to the edges so air does not get trapped. On a curved surface like a tumbler, start at the middle of the curve.
4
Rub it firmly
Rub it firmly with a squeegee, a credit card or your thumb. This is the step that decides whether it holds.
5
Peel the top film slowly
Peel the top film slowly at a sharp angle. If the design lifts with the film, lay it back down and rub again.
Want the same steps with more detail? Read how to apply UV DTF step by step.
Care
Washing and care
Give it 24 hours before the first wash, so the adhesive can finish bonding. After that, wash by hand. Keep UV DTF items out of the dishwasher: high heat and detergent cycles lift the edges. If you sell decorated drinkware, pass these care instructions on to your customers.
Comparison
UV DTF compared to vinyl stickers
Both go on hard surfaces, and they are not the same thing.
Texture
A vinyl sticker sits flat on the surface. A UV DTF transfer has raised ink you can feel with your finger.
Layering
Vinyl needs a separate cut layer for every color. UV DTF prints full color in one pass, gradients and photos included, as long as the colors are fully opaque.
Weeding
Vinyl needs it. UV DTF does not.
Water
UV DTF resists water and daily use, and handles hand washing. Neither one belongs in a dishwasher.
Compatibility
Where it holds and where it does not
Here is what we have tested, what does not work, and what we have not tested yet.
| Surface | UV DTF |
|---|---|
| Glass and ceramic (mugs, glass tumblers, jars) | Yes, tested |
| Metal and stainless steel (tumblers, bottles) | Yes, tested |
| Hard plastic, acrylic included | Yes, tested |
| Smooth or sealed wood | Yes, tested |
| Porous, rough or unsealed wood | No |
| Fabric and textiles | No, use DTF transfers made for apparel |
| Silicone, rubber, or anything that bends under the decal | Not recommended |
| Powder coated or painted finishes | Not tested yet |
| Outdoor use, direct sun, vehicles | Not recommended |
Not sure about your item? Try one sticker on it before you decorate a full batch. For fabric you want our DTF transfers for apparel.
Artwork
Artwork and files for UV DTF
UV DTF needs a fully transparent background and fully opaque colors, with no soft shadows, glows or fades to transparent. Gradients between solid colors are fine.
Why it matters: UV DTF prints a white layer behind your colors. That white layer needs to be solid, and where it is not, the transfer can break. Send your files at 300 DPI. PNG is what we prefer, and we also accept PDF, AI and PSD files, always with a transparent background.
Shipping
Shipping to all 50 states
We print every UV DTF order in our own shop in Miami, with nothing outsourced, and ship it with UPS to all 50 states. Orders are placed online only.
| UPS Ground, orders under $99 | $11.99 flat |
| UPS Ground, orders of $99 or more | Free |
| Production and shipping days | Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET |
| Same day production cutoff | 1:00 PM ET |
| Not available | International shipping, PO Boxes, APO and FPO addresses, local pickup |
Answers
Questions we get
Is UV DTF better than regular DTF?
Neither is better. They do different jobs. UV DTF is for hard surfaces and needs no heat. Regular DTF is for fabric and needs a heat press. Check which one you need before you order.
How long do UV DTF prints last?
With good care, UV DTF stickers can last about 2 to 5 years, or around 6 months to 2 years or longer on tumblers and drinkware washed by hand only. Wash by hand, keep them out of the dishwasher, and keep them indoors and out of direct sun.
Can you remove a UV DTF transfer?
It is made to stay where you put it, and it cannot be repositioned once it touches the surface. To take it off, warm the sticker with a heat gun or a hair dryer for 20 to 60 seconds, until the adhesive softens. Lift one edge with a plastic scraper and peel slowly; if the adhesive hardens again, warm it again. Once the surface is cool, remove any leftover adhesive with rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover. On plastic, painted or coated cups, test the rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover first on a small hidden spot.
Can UV DTF go on cars?
No. UV DTF is not made for cars or other outdoor use, because prolonged sunlight and weather exposure can break down the adhesive over time. Use it indoors on hard, smooth surfaces like glass and ceramic, metal and stainless steel, hard plastic, and smooth or sealed wood. For a car, use a product made and rated for vehicles.
Do I need a UV printer to use these?
No. That is the point. You need nothing. We print them and you apply them with your hands.
Is it dishwasher safe?
No. Hand wash. High heat and detergent cycles will lift the edges.
How small can a design be?
Fine detail under a quarter inch gets hard to lift off the backing during application. Keep line work above that.
How much do UV DTF stickers cost?
You pay for the sheet, not per sticker: $0.72 per inch of length on a 22 inch wide sheet, so a 12 inch sheet is $8.64. By our own layout math, about 45 designs of 2 x 2 inches fit on that sheet, roughly $0.19 each before shipping. Bigger designs cost more each: by the same math, 4 x 4 inch designs come out between about $0.63 and $0.86 each on 12, 24 and 48 inch sheets.
Where can I buy UV DTF stickers wholesale?
Right here. We print UV DTF stickers wholesale in Miami for print shops, resellers and small businesses, with no minimum order and no volume tiers. You order by the sheet, starting at 12 inches, and we ship with UPS to all 50 states: ground shipping is $11.99 flat on orders under $99 and free from $99.
Ready to Order UV DTF?
Every UV DTF order placed before 1:00 PM ET Monday through Friday goes into production the same business day. There is no rush tier and no surcharge for it.