How to Halftone Canva Designs for DTF

A practical guide for Halftone Canva artwork for DTF printing

STEP 1 — Set Up Canva Correctly (This is a step most miss and it Determines Print Quality)

DTF quality starts when the Canva document is created. Canva exports at the exact pixel size of the canvas, so this step cannot be fixed later.

Create your design at final print size

Use Create a Design → Custom Size
Choose pixels, not inches
Common examples:
- Shirt front: 4500 × 5400 px
- 15" wide print: 4500 px wide

Use only high-resolution images. Avoid screenshots or small web graphics. If Canva flags an image as low resolution, replace it.

Export settings

File type: PNG
Size: 100%
Background: Transparent (if needed)

Do not export JPG for DTF.

STEP 2 — Open the Canva Export in Photopea (FREE PHOTOSHOP CLONE)

If your PNG already has transparency, continue.
If not, remove the background first using Magic Cut or selection tools until the background is fully transparent.

STEP 3 — Create a Halftone Source Layer

Duplicate your artwork layer
Rename the duplicate HALFTONE SOURCE
Duplicate this layer into a new document

This isolates halftone processing and mirrors professional Photoshop workflows.

STEP 4 — Convert to Grayscale and Increase Contrast

In the halftone document:

Convert the image to Grayscale
Use Levels to increase contrast

The goal is strong blacks, clean highlights, and no muddy mid-tones. This directly affects dot clarity and white ink performance.

STEP 5 — Convert to True Halftone Dots (Bitmap Method)

Convert the image to Bitmap using Halftone Screen:

Frequency: 20–35
Angle: 45°
Shape: Round

This step creates true black-and-white halftone dots, eliminating semi-transparent pixels that cause white haze in DTF prints.

STEP 6 — Apply the Halftone as a Mask

Select and copy the halftone dots
Return to the original document
Add a Layer Mask to the artwork layer
Paste the halftone into the mask
Invert if necessary

White areas print. Black areas do not.

STEP 7 — Final Export for DTF

Background must be transparent
Export as PNG
Do not resize or resample

Your file is now RIP-ready with clean halftones and no transparency issues.

A Better, Faster Option (Strongly Recommended)

The Canva + Photopea method works — but it is manual, slow, and unforgiving. One missed step can introduce haze, soft edges, or inconsistent dots.

For a significantly better experience, use DTPrep instead.

Why DTPrep is the smarter choice

Built specifically for DTF and DTG
Interactive halftone preview (no guessing)
Eliminates white haze automatically
No bitmap conversions or layer masks
Designed to work directly in your browser and accepts your Canva exports

Better result. Far fewer steps. Much safer output.

If you create DTF artwork regularly, DTPrep saves time, prevents costly reprints, and delivers consistent professional results.