DTF-TONES Affinity Tutorial
DTF-Tones is a tool that automatically preps your artwork for DTF and DTG printing.
Instant halftone knockout and background removal for the best looking and softest print possible.
Main Instructions
Step 1. Open the DTF-Tones File
DTF-TONES is a regular Affinity file which can be opened with a File > Open command in Affinity.
There are no plugins, swatches, or actions to load or install!
Step 2. Open Your Layers Panel
Go to Window > Layers. You will see layer groups. Click the > arrows to make the contents visible.
Step 3. Double Click Either “Replace With Your Image” Thumbnail
This will open up a separate linked file where you can add in your own art, photos, graphics, or images.
Step 4. Add Your Image
Hide the existing “EXAMPLE IMAGE” layers.
Place your image above the “Match to your art’s background color” layer.
Step 5. Sample Your Background Color to Match (Important!)
Click the “Match to your art’s background color” layer thumbnail.
Use the Eyedropper Tool to sample your image’s background color.
Step 6. Save & Close the Linked Image File
Your image will now be visible in the main DTF-TONES file.
Back in the Main Affinity File
Step 7. Match the Knockout and Background Colors to Your Image’s Background Color
Click on the color thumbnail in the “Match to your Knockout” Layer.
Apply your previously sampled color from Step 5.
Repeat this step for the “BACKGROUND” layer color.
Step 8. Check to See How Your Art Looks
Toggle the visibility of the “BACKGROUND” layer.
When the “BACKGROUND” layer visibility is turned off, your image should have a transparent background with halftones knocked out in appropriate areas.
It’s okay if you see a minor halo of the background color in the edges of your graphic when the “BACKGROUND” layer visibility is turned off. As long as you print on the same color shirt as your knocked out background color, this will help the colors of your graphic blend properly.
WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get. When the “BACKGROUND” layer visibility is turned on, your graphic should look normal / good. If it doesn’t, make sure you have matched your original image’s background color to the color layers. You can reopen the Linked Image File and follow Steps 5–8 again to get the knockout to work properly. If the rectangle background of your image is visible after steps 5–8, your image may have too much variation in its background. Reopen the Smart Object and manually select and erase any problem areas of your image.
Step 9. Choose a Halftone Size (Optional)
By default, the halftones are 22.5° Round at 25 LPI (Lines Per Inch). If you would prefer to have a finer dot size, you can select 35 LPI or 45 LPI instead.
To change to 35 LPI, for example, turn off the visibility of the 25 LPI halftones, and turn on the visibility of the 35 LPI halftones.
Step 10. Adjust Knockout Levels (Optional)
You can adjust the intensity of your knockout by double clicking on the “light/dark LEVELS” thumbnail.
Move the LEVELS sliders around until you find a setting you like. Double check this effect by toggling the visibility of your “BACKGROUND” layer.
Step 11. Remember... WYSIWYG: What You See Is What You Get
When your “BACKGROUND” Layer is visible, your graphic must look good on your computer’s screen if it’s going to look good when printed on a shirt.
If something doesn’t look correct, double check the steps above to see if you have missed anything.
Your graphic may need some manual editing (such as removing stray pixels with the eraser tool).
Step 12. Adjust Threshold If Colors Are Missing
If some of your colors aren’t showing up (for example a bright red), click on the Threshold layer thumbnail. In the Properties Window, move the slider around just enough until the missing color returns.
Step 13. Export as a PNG
Make sure to turn off the visibility of the “BACKGROUND” Layer before exporting your image.
Go to File > Export > Export. Choose PNG as the file type.
