If you’ve been following Side Hustle Playbook, you know we recently made the decision to move away from DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing. While DTG offered some great full-color results, it came with its fair share of stress — from maintenance to inconsistent output. So, the search began for a simpler, more scalable solution that still delivers quality. That brought us to Ninja Transfers.
In this post, we’ll walk through our initial test of Ninja Transfers, what we liked, what could be better, and whether these transfers can actually replace DTG for full-color designs.
🎯 Why We’re Testing Transfers
We’re in the early stages of our screen printing journey, and while we’ve got the basics down, we’re not yet ready to take on full-color or photo-quality prints in-house. That’s where transfer companies come in — especially for complex jobs we used to handle with DTG.
Ninja Transfers stood out because they offer a free sample pack, so we figured why not give it a try? The goal is to use these transfers for the full-color products we already sell on Etsy and Shopify without skipping a beat.
🔧 The Test Setup
Here’s how we set things up using Ninja’s included instructions:
- Heat Press Temp: 310°F
- Press Time: 15 seconds
- Pressure: Medium
- Peel: Cold
- Final Press: 15 seconds with parchment paper (included in the sample pack)
We selected a few different designs from the kit — some with solid colors, others with gradients and fine details — to test a wide range of potential use cases.
🧪 Application Process
We loaded up our press with three different designs and went to work:
- Press for 15 seconds at 310°F with medium pressure
- Let cool for 30 seconds
- Cold peel from one corner, slowly and evenly
- Final press with parchment paper for another 15 seconds
Everything peeled clean, and the results looked super crisp right off the press.
🧵 First Impressions
Here’s what stood out right away:
- The vibrancy of the full-color designs was impressive.
- Transfers felt soft to the touch, more like DTG than traditional screen prints.
- Even the fine details and gradients came through cleanly.
- No weird boxy pre-treat feel like we used to get with DTG.
There was a bit of discoloration on the shirt due to pressing, but that’s expected during testing.
🧼 Wash Test Results
We ran the shirt through five regular laundry cycles — hot water, high heat drying — just like any customer would. The result?
✅ No peeling
✅ No fading
✅ Still smooth to the touch
Some transfers from other companies can feel like a thick patch or even papery. Not the case here. These held up well and still had that “barely there” feel that’s crucial for customer comfort.
✅ Final Verdict: Ninja Transfers Get a Thumbs Up
While we’re still exploring different transfer companies, Ninja Transfers passed our first test with flying colors. For anyone in a similar position — transitioning from DTG or looking for a solid solution to handle complex designs without screen printing them — this is a great option.
We’re not affiliated with Ninja Transfers, but we recommend checking them out. The free sample kit is worth it, especially if you’re trying to maintain quality and consistency in your apparel business without all the DTG headaches.
