How to Make a Printed Garland Using DTF on Felt * Moms and Crafters

Learn how to make a printed garland using DTF on felt to add fun full-color details! Use this technique to make a baby mobile or even plush toys. This post contains affiliate links and sponsored content.

When xTool sent me their Apparel Printer, my goal was to help you learn about it by really pushing it to the max. It might not have been completely doable (there’s always more to test) but in my xTool DTF printer review, I did really test it on a lot of materials and use cases.

One material I didn’t test was felt – and so I decided to create a dedicated tutorial to show you how to use DTF on felt. With my son’s third birthday party coming up (we’re doing a space theme!) I figured I’d share with you how DTF transferred on felt can be made into fully customized decor!

There are so many applications for DTF on felt, and I’ll share some more ideas below. Our idea was to make a solar system/planet garland that will be used after the party to decorate the playroom or bedroom.

Just a confession: I did design this solar system graphic for the party and do plan to make it available eventually, but the point of this post isn’t really the graphics – it’s the DTF on felt. So make sure you follow this space so that you don’t miss it. I still need to fine-tune it and fix it up so that I can offer clean images in a few formats.

I did include the sun and Pluto in my garland (Pluto because my son likes it).

How to DTF on felt

Can you do DTF on Felt?

DTF works on most soft materials but it definitely goes smoother on some than others. Felt was a shoo-in.

The process worked so smoothly – it really was a win. Felt is going to be high up on my “must DTF” list for making custom goods. Combine it with laser cut felt bases if you want more professional results.

When it comes to creating things with felt, it’s usually a material of choice for its sturdiness, and its texture. You will lose the texture if you’re pressing a larger area of DTF but in some cases it doesn’t matter. In fact, in some it might actually be cool to have that multi-sensory experience.

Which printer do you use?

I made this using the xTool Apparel printer. It’s a very cool desktop DTF printer that is quite easy to use even if you’re new to DTF apparel printing. I hadn’t managed to use it for two weeks, and it only needed a couple of auto-cleanings (hit a few buttons and wait a few minutes). Most DTF printers need to be used regularly and they all need maintenance, but this one has so many auto-maintenance features built-in that it’s must much easier for beginners. For example, the thick and heavy white ink self-stirs (as long as the device is plugged in).

I did manually cure all my parts (I have the printer without the oven) and it definitely would have been easier with the oven!

The colors on the solar system are exactly as I designed it. They show up vibrant on the navy blue felt and are as playful as I needed them to be.

Tips and Tricks for DTF on Felt

Since the process was so smooth, you can’t really get it wrong. You don’t need my tips but I will share a few observation.

My first presses I did with a teflon sheet as I usually do to add texture. I felt later on that it was overkill – the felt texture is either there or it isn’t. And since it wasn’t going to be there, adding other texture didn’t make sense.

Since most felt creations aren’t meant to be washed over and over again (like apparel is) and might just get the occasional refresh in the washing machine, it’s really more forgiving.

Another tip when using felt: don’t cut the felt in the same area as your printer. Print and then work with the felt elsewhere. Felt creates lots of lint which can get into your printer. It won’t ruin it – it’ll just need a good cleaning before you can print again.

A final tip: if you really do like the vibe of felt, you’ll want to use smaller prints and larger backgrounds. You can do something like I did with a pennant shape to help the felt stand out more. You’ll definitely want to machine cut your felt if you want a professional finish (mine is for personal use).

More ways to use DTF on Felt

How cool is it to be able to make a full color felt garland using DTF on felt? That’s really the goal here: add full-color imagery to felt creations without having to cut each and every tiny detail out of felt!

Here are more ideas:

Quiet book elements can be printed – and open up so many new possibilities!
Make something like this but in a baby mobile. It’ll go great if you do it in different sizes.
Craft those same toys you’re doing from felt, but with full-color portions. Think: felt puppets, plushies, play food…

How to Make a DTF on Felt Garland

Follow along with the step by step process of making this garland if you’d like. I also share my settings and processes for printing DTF on felt.

You’ll Need

A DTF Printer – I used the xTool Apparel Printer
Any images of planets! Mine will be available in my Etsy shop eventually…
Navy blue felt (about a yard)
Good fabric scissors – or a machine to cut
A sewing machine (or glue/hand-sew)
Teflon sheet
Heat press
Ribbon
A safety pin

Process

1. Print out your DTF transfers and cure them using adhesive powder.To make it double sided, cut out two of each. I didn’t want to mirror my planets, so I had to be a bit creative with the design, but it came out great regardless.

2. Cut a piece of felt for the garland. It should be a shape about an inch larger than the print, and its mirror, connected by about an inch strip (or less if you want a smaller tab.)

2. Sew all around the edge with 1/4 inch seam allowance.

3. I trimmed mine constantly and really wish I would have just machine cut it.

4. Pre-press your felt for 5 seconds to remove any moisture. Place your transfer. I recommend trimming around the print so that you can get a better visual for placement.