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DTF Print & Heat Press Production Specialist

Job Description

Stonewerx Promotional is a leader in custom-branded promotional products and decorated apparel. We are looking for a skilled, dependable, and detail-oriented DTF print & heat press production specialist to join our growing production team.

This position is responsible for both the production of Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers and the application of those transfers to garments and promotional products using commercial heat press equipment. The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, quality-focused, comfortable working with production equipment, and capable of maintaining accuracy while meeting daily production deadlines.

Experience with DTF printing, commercial heat presses, apparel decoration, screen printing, embroidery, or other production equipment is preferred. Training may be provided for the right candidate with strong mechanical aptitude and production experience.

Job Overview

The DTF Print & Heat Press Production Specialist is responsible for operating, maintaining, and monitoring DTF printing equipment and heat press/application equipment throughout the production process.

This position handles jobs from printed transfer through finished decorated product, including preparing artwork for production, printing DTF transfers, curing transfers, staging garments, positioning artwork, operating heat presses, performing quality-control inspections, counting completed merchandise, and preparing finished orders for the next stage of production.

The employee must be able to follow job specifications precisely and consistently reproduce placement, pressure, temperature, and application quality across production runs ranging from small custom orders to large-volume projects.

Key Responsibilities

DTF Printer Operation

• Set up, operate, monitor, and maintain commercial DTF printing equipment.
• Prepare printers for daily production, including checking ink levels, white-ink circulation, film, powder, printheads, environmental conditions, and other consumables.
• Load DTF film and prepare print jobs according to production specifications.
• Operate DTF printer, powder application, shaker, curing, and dryer equipment.
• Monitor printing and curing throughout production to identify banding, color inconsistencies, ink starvation, nozzle issues, film-feed problems, powder inconsistencies, curing problems, and other defects.
• Perform nozzle checks, printhead cleaning, maintenance procedures, and other manufacturer-recommended daily and periodic maintenance.
• Maintain clean printing equipment and work areas to minimize contamination and production defects.
• Properly handle, store, and rotate DTF inks, films, powders, cleaning solutions, and other consumables.

DTF Transfer Preparation

• Review production work orders and confirm artwork, quantities, garment types, colors, sizes, and placement requirements before beginning production.
• Inspect completed DTF transfers before application.
• Verify transfer size, orientation, color, print quality, and quantity against the production order.
• Cut, separate, organize, and stage transfers for heat-press production.
• Identify defective transfers before they reach garment production.
• Maintain accurate counts to prevent shortages, overruns, and unnecessary waste.

Heat Press & DTF Application Equipment

• Set up and operate commercial heat presses, including pneumatic, automatic, dual-station, clamshell, swing-away, and specialty heat presses as applicable.
• Set appropriate temperature, pressure, dwell time, and application settings based on garment material, transfer type, and manufacturer specifications.
• Safely operate pneumatic heat press equipment and associated compressed-air systems.
• Position garments correctly on heat press platens to ensure accurate and repeatable decoration placement.
• Measure and position transfers according to Stonewerx placement standards and individual customer specifications.
• Apply DTF transfers to T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, safety apparel, bags, uniforms, and other approved products.
• Properly handle hot-peel, warm-peel, and cold-peel transfer films according to transfer specifications.
• Perform secondary pressing when required to achieve proper adhesion, finish, durability, and appearance.
• Use appropriate finishing sheets, parchment, silicone sheets, pads, pillows, platen covers, and other application accessories.
• Adjust application procedures for seams, zippers, buttons, pockets, reflective materials, performance fabrics, heat-sensitive materials, and other challenging garment construction.
• Recognize materials that may require reduced temperature, special protection, testing, or alternative application methods.
• Conduct test applications when working with unfamiliar garments, fabrics, or transfer materials.

Production & Workflow

• Read and follow production work orders accurately from beginning to completion.
• Verify garment style, color, size, quantity, artwork, decoration location, and special instructions before production begins.
• Organize garments and transfers to maintain an efficient production workflow.
• Maintain accurate production counts throughout each job.
• Work efficiently to meet established production goals and customer deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Properly separate completed products from blanks, rejects, samples, and rework items.
• Immediately communicate shortages, damaged garments, artwork discrepancies, equipment problems, or other production issues to the production manager.
• Assist other production departments as workload requires.

Quality Control

• Inspect transfers and finished decorated products throughout the production process.
• Verify artwork placement, alignment, color, adhesion, opacity, finish, and overall appearance.
• Check finished products for scorching, dye migration, press marks, wrinkles, transfer lifting, incomplete adhesion, incorrect placement, contamination, or other defects.
• Confirm that decoration placement remains consistent throughout the entire production run.
• Compare completed products against approved artwork, samples, proofs, or production specifications.
• Identify defective products immediately and separate them from acceptable merchandise.
• Document production errors, damaged merchandise, and reprints when required.
• Maintain Stonewerx quality standards while minimizing spoilage and material waste.

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Perform routine daily, weekly, and scheduled preventive maintenance on DTF printers, curing equipment, heat presses, and related production equipment.
• Keep heat press platens, pads, covers, work tables, and application areas clean and free of adhesive, ink, powder, lint, and debris.
• Inspect heat presses for proper temperature, pressure, platen condition, alignment, and operation.
• Identify and troubleshoot basic mechanical, printing, curing, heat-transfer, pneumatic, and application problems.
• Report equipment failures or unusual operating conditions immediately.
• Assist with maintaining maintenance logs and service records.
• Follow equipment shutdown and startup procedures.
• Follow all safety procedures when operating heated, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical production equipment.

Inventory & Materials

• Monitor inventory levels of DTF film, powder, inks, cleaning supplies, heat-transfer accessories, finishing sheets, and other production consumables.
• Notify management when supplies reach established reorder levels.
• Properly store and organize production materials.
• Help maintain organized garment staging, completed-product, and production supply areas.
• Minimize waste through proper setup, testing, handling, and production practices.

Screen Printing & Additional Production — Plus

Experience with screen printing is a plus and may include:

• Assisting with screen preparation and setup.
• Mixing or preparing inks.
• Loading and unloading garments.
• Operating manual or automatic screen-printing equipment.
• Curing printed garments.
• Cleaning screens and production equipment.
• Assisting with other apparel-decoration processes as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating DTF printers, heat presses, screen-printing equipment, or similar commercial production equipment is preferred.
• Experience applying DTF or heat-transfer graphics to apparel is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with commercial pneumatic heat presses is a plus.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to learn, operate, and troubleshoot production machinery.
• Ability to understand and follow temperature, pressure, dwell time, and material specifications.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing consistent, high-quality work.
• Ability to accurately read production work orders and follow written instructions.
• Ability to recognize printing, transfer, garment, and application defects.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple production jobs and changing priorities.
• Basic computer skills and ability to work with digital production systems.
• Experience with RIP software, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or print-production software is a plus.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a production team.
• Willingness to assist in other production areas when needed.

Physical Requirements

This is an active production position. Employees must be able to:

• Stand and work at production equipment for extended periods.
• Regularly use hands and arms to load garments, position transfers, operate equipment, and handle finished products.
• Perform repetitive garment loading, transfer positioning, pressing, peeling, folding, and stacking activities throughout the workday.
• Safely lift and move boxes, garments, supplies, and production materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Bend, reach, twist, push, pull, and perform repetitive movements associated with production work.
• Work safely around heated surfaces, moving equipment, compressed air, and commercial production machinery.
• Maintain sufficient visual attention to inspect small details, artwork placement, print quality, and finished products.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Safety & Work Area Responsibilities

• Follow all Stonewerx safety policies and equipment operating procedures.
• Use required personal protective equipment when applicable.
• Keep production floors, equipment, tables, and work areas clean and organized.
• Follow proper procedures when working around heated platens and curing equipment.
• Never bypass equipment guards, emergency stops, or safety systems.
• Immediately report unsafe equipment, workplace hazards, injuries, near misses, or damaged electrical/pneumatic components.
• Participate in required safety and equipment training.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position is measured by:

• Consistent product quality.
• Accurate artwork placement.
• Production efficiency and ability to meet deadlines.
• Low spoilage and reprint rates.
• Proper equipment operation and maintenance.
• Accurate job and garment counts.
• Clean and organized work areas.
• Dependability and attendance.
• Ability to follow production specifications and instructions.
• Effective communication and teamwork.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee discounts on products
• Training and opportunities to expand production skills

How to Apply

If you enjoy working with production equipment, take pride in producing high-quality work, and want to develop your skills in the growing decorated-apparel industry, we would love to hear from you.

Stonewerx Promotional is committed to maintaining a professional, safe, quality-focused production environment and is looking for team members who take pride in craftsmanship, reliability, and getting the job done right.

Stonewerx Promo is small but mighty promotional products company focused on helping businesses grow their brands, recognize their employees, and thank their customers with innovative, eye-catching, and awe-inspiring graphic artwork, high quality brand products, and exceptional customer service. From sales, to graphics, to back of house processes, we work as a team to ensure that our customers feel well taken care of and receive products that they are proud to showcase with their brand images. We accomplish this goal by ensuring that we have a positive work environment centered around training, communication, and working as a team to achieve our goals. We invest in our employees for the long haul, and we are willing to train