MAYA TX DTF print comparison showing shiny vs matte DTF finish using Finishsoft Pro finishing sheets with heat press application for soft-touch transfers

Why Are My DTF Prints Shiny? How to Get a Soft Matte Finish Fast

Name: Size By Size DTF Transfers | Custom DTF Transfers
Brand: MAYA TX
Price: 1.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing has transformed the custom apparel industry by making it easier to produce vibrant, durable transfers on cotton, polyester, blends, and performance fabrics. From small apparel brands to high-volume print shops, DTF transfers have become a go-to solution because they offer flexibility, speed, and strong wash durability.

But there is one issue many printers run into:

Shiny DTF prints.

If your DTF transfers look overly glossy, feel stiff, or have a plastic-like surface after pressing, you are not alone. It is one of the most common complaints in DTF printing.

The good news is that shine is usually fixable.

With the right finishing method, you can turn a glossy DTF print into a soft, matte finish that feels more premium and looks much closer to screen printing.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Why DTF prints look shiny
What causes excessive gloss
How to remove shine from DTF transfers
How to get a soft hand feel
Why a DTF finishing sheet can improve print quality
How Finishsoft Pro™ can help improve results

Why Do DTF Prints Look Shiny?

A shiny DTF print usually comes from the transfer film and adhesive powder used during the application process.

DTF technology relies on:

PET transfer film
Hot melt adhesive powder
Heat and pressure
Hot peel or cold peel process

These materials are designed to create strong adhesion and long-term durability, but they can sometimes leave a glossy finish on the surface of the print.

In many cases, the shine is not caused by poor-quality artwork or bad transfers.

It is caused by the finishing process.

That is important, because it means you can often correct it.

What Causes Shiny DTF Prints?

Several factors can create glossy DTF transfers.

1. Excess Pressure

Too much pressure during pressing can flatten the transfer surface and create a slick, shiny appearance.

A properly cured print can become overly glossy simply because it was over-pressed.

2. Too Much Heat

Overheating can increase shine.

If you press above recommended settings, the adhesive layer may become too smooth and reflective.

Always follow your transfer supplier’s application settings.

If you use custom DTF transfers, make sure you test pressure and heat before production runs.

3. Smooth Cover Sheets

Standard Teflon sheets can sometimes contribute to a glossy surface.

Many printers do not realize the cover sheet itself can affect texture.

Switching to a textured DTF finishing sheet can change the final appearance dramatically.

4. Heavy Adhesive Powder

Too much adhesive can create a thicker, more plastic-like print.

That often increases gloss.

This is especially common with lower-quality transfers.

5. No Second Press

This is one of the biggest reasons DTF prints stay shiny.

Many printers do the initial press and stop there.

But a second press often makes a major difference.

Why Does Shine Matter?

This matters more than many decorators realize.

Customers often associate matte prints with premium quality.

A soft-touch matte DTF finish often feels:

More comfortable
More retail-quality
Less plastic-like
More similar to screen printing

A glossy print can sometimes make even a great design feel cheap.

That affects:

Customer satisfaction
Repeat orders
Brand perception
Product reviews

For apparel brands, Etsy sellers, and print shops, this matters.

How to Remove Shine From DTF Prints

The most effective solution is a second press using a DTF finishing sheet.

This is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

Step 1

Press your transfer normally.

Follow standard transfer instructions.

Step 2

Place a finishing sheet over the print.

Use a texturizing cover sheet such as Finishsoft Pro™.

Step 3

Press again for 5–10 seconds.

This second press can:

Reduce gloss
Create a matte DTF finish
Improve soft hand feel
Add subtle texture
Improve perceived print quality

That is often enough to transform the print.

Best Way to Get a Soft Matte DTF Finish

If you want a softer, premium feel, the finishing step is essential.

Many experienced decorators use a second press as a standard part of production.

Not as a fix.

As a finishing technique.

That distinction matters.

It is not solving a problem.

It is improving the product.

A DTF finishing sheet can help create a finish much closer to what customers expect from premium apparel.

Why a DTF Finishing Sheet Works

A texturizing finishing sheet changes surface reflection.

Instead of a smooth reflective surface, you get micro-texture.

That reduces visible gloss.

It also changes how the print feels.

This is why many printers use finishing sheets to create:

Matte DTF prints
Soft hand feel DTF
Reduced plastic feel
Screen-print-like texture

That is exactly where Finishsoft Pro™ fits.

Recommended Tool: Finishsoft Pro™ DTF Finishing Sheet

If you want to reduce shine and improve feel, a finishing sheet is one of the simplest upgrades available.

Finishsoft Pro™ helps:

✔ Reduce glossy DTF prints
✔ Add soft-touch feel
✔ Improve texture
✔ Create a matte finish
✔ Improve perceived print quality
✔ Apply in just 5–10 seconds

Still using glossy DTF prints?

Upgrade to a softer, premium matte finish with Finishsoft Pro™ and give every transfer a retail-quality feel.

Can You Make DTF Feel Like Screen Printing?

Not exactly.

But you can get closer.

A properly applied transfer plus a finishing sheet can create a softer, more textured surface that resembles screen printing much more than a standard glossy DTF finish.

For many shops, that is enough to improve customer perception significantly.

For comparison, you may also want to read our guide comparing custom DTF transfers vs screen printing.
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Hot Peel vs Cold Peel and Shine

Another factor that can affect gloss is hot peel vs cold peel workflow.

Some decorators report differences in surface sheen depending on peel type.

If you want to test this further, review our guide on hot peel vs cold peel DTF transfers.
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Testing variables matters.

Small process changes can affect final results.

How to Improve DTF Quality Beyond Shine

If you want better DTF results overall:

Use High-Quality Transfers

Poor transfer quality often creates excess adhesive buildup.

That can increase gloss.

Use premium custom DTF transfers whenever possible.

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Dial In Pressure

Do not use excessive pressure.

Test.

Adjust.

Document settings.

Use a Second Press

This should become standard.

Not optional.

Use a Finishing Sheet

This is often the fastest upgrade with the biggest visible improvement.

What Industry Sources Say

Industry education sources have also discussed post-press finishing techniques as a way to improve transfer feel and surface appearance.

See:

SanMar decorator education resources
Ninja Transfers transfer application guides

Both have published material discussing finishing methods and improving transfer feel.

These are useful references if you want to test additional post-press workflows.

Final Thoughts

If your DTF prints look shiny, the problem is often not the transfer.

It is the finish.

That is good news.

Because the finish is something you can improve.

A second press with a DTF finishing sheet can:

Reduce shine
Create a matte DTF finish
Improve soft hand feel
Add texture
Improve perceived quality

For many printers, this simple step changes everything.

If you want your transfers to look more premium, feel softer, and compete more closely with retail-quality prints, the finishing step is worth adding.

And if you want a fast solution, Finishsoft Pro™ was built for exactly that.