The Second Press: 10 Seconds That Makes Transfers Last

What is the second press, and do you actually need it?

Yes. The second press (also called a finishing press or post-press) is a short press over your DTF transfer after the initial application, usually 5-10 seconds with a sheet of parchment paper on top. It is not optional if you want a transfer that survives real laundry.

At Pressing Images, every transfer gets this step: 280-300°F, 12-15 seconds for the first press, then a finishing press with parchment for 5-10 seconds.

Why does one extra press make such a big difference?

The first press melts the adhesive and bonds the film to the fabric. The second press does something different: it drives the adhesive and ink deeper into the weave of the fabric, seats it fully, and knocks down the glossy, plasticky sheen that a fresh DTF print has.

Ninja Transfers and Transfer Kingdom both describe this as the step that locks the design in for the long run, and note that after repeated wash testing, skipping it measurably shortens wash life. Roq.us and SanMar's decorator education site (SanMar U) describe the same mechanism: the second press finishes the bond that the first press starts, which is why transfers that get a proper finishing press tend to survive far more wash cycles than ones that don't.

Why parchment paper and not just the bare platen?

Two reasons. First, parchment protects your platen from picking up any stray ink or adhesive residue. Second, it changes the finish. Pressing through parchment paper gives you a soft matte finish, while a Teflon sheet leaves more shine. If a customer wants that low-key, screen-print look instead of a glossy DTF finish, parchment is how you get it.

What does the second press actually fix?

• Washfastness. The bond goes deeper into the fabric instead of sitting on top of it, so it holds up to more wash cycles.
• Hand feel. The print softens and starts to move with the fabric instead of feeling like a sticker.
• Finish. Glossy top-coat sheen knocks down to a soft matte.
• Edge seal. A second pass over the edges helps prevent the corners from catching and lifting in the wash or dryer.

Is there ever a reason to skip it?

Rarely. The only real case is a heat-sensitive substrate, like faux leather or nylon, where a second full-temperature press risks scorching the material itself. On those, either shorten the second press significantly or skip it and rely on a clean, correct first press instead. For standard cotton, poly-cotton, and polyester garments, there is no good reason to skip it. It costs you 10 seconds and buys the customer dozens of extra washes.

What's PI's exact routine?

1. Press the transfer at 280-300°F for 12-15 seconds with medium-firm pressure.
2. Peel the film, hot or cold depending on the film type.
3. Lay parchment paper over the design and press again for 5-10 seconds at the same temperature.

That last step is the one people skip when they're rushing an order. Don't. It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy for a print.

Ready to press?

Browse ready-to-press DTF transfers built to this exact spec, or if you're printing your own designs, check out gang sheets priced per square inch with no minimums.