DTF prep · halftones · separations

Halftone generator and DTF print prep in your browser

Knock out the shirt color without losing soft glows, break solid areas into halftone dots for a lighter feel, and export a transparent 300 DPI PNG ready for your DTF printer or a gang sheet.

Free to use. Free account to export; order the design as DTF transfers. Runs in your browser on desktop, tablet and phone, nothing to install.

In short

The 3dawg Halftoner is a free browser tool for preparing artwork for DTF and screen printing. It removes any color smoothly with Color to Alpha knockout, adds single color, CMYK or simulated process halftones with many dot shapes and LPI and angle controls, softens hard edges, and exports 300 DPI transparent PNGs or 600 DPI spot channel screens. Designs can be ordered as DTF transfers.

Also known as: halftone maker, DTF halftone tool, remove black background for DTF, color to alpha online, simulated process separations, screen print separation software.

What you can make

Features

Smooth color knockout

Remove the shirt color, black or any color with Color to Alpha math, so fades and glows keep soft edges.

Halftones your way

Round, square, line, diamond, ellipse, star and more dot shapes, with LPI, angle, dot size and midtone controls.

CMYK and simulated process

CMYK with GCR and white underbase, or spot inks picked from the art for simulated process.

Edge Style

Fade, rough fade, torn or spray the outer edge so square images flow into the shirt.

Background removal

Remove photo backgrounds, then crop the artboard edge to edge with Fit to Artwork.

Print-ready export

300 DPI transparent PNG, or 600 DPI spot channel screens for the press. Order it as DTF transfers.

How it works

01

Add your artwork

Upload an image or vector, or pick one from My Artwork, on a garment-colored artboard up to 24" x 36".

02

Knock out and halftone

Remove colors, choose a halftone mode and dot shape, and preview it live on the shirt color.

03

Export or order

Download a 300 DPI PNG or screens, or add it to your cart as DTF transfers on a gang sheet.

Who it's for

DTF printers

Clean knockouts and halftones that press well on any shirt color.

Screen printers

Simulated process and CMYK separations without desktop software.

Designers

Vintage halftone and distressed looks for merch and brands.

Frequently asked questions

Why use halftones on DTF transfers?

Halftones break solid areas into dots, so the transfer uses less ink and feels lighter, softer and more breathable, and fades blend into the garment instead of ending in a hard edge.

How do I remove a black background for DTF without losing glows?

Use the Halftoner's color knockout on black (or the shirt color). It uses Color to Alpha math, so semi-transparent glows, smoke and fades keep their softness instead of leaving a dark fringe.

Can it make screen print separations?

Yes. In CMYK or simulated process mode the export can be one 600 DPI spot channel TIFF with a screen per ink, or the composite PNG.

Is the Halftoner free?

Yes. You can use every tool without paying. Exporting needs a free account and the export has no watermark.

Can I order the result as DTF transfers?

Yes. Add to Cart sells the design as DTF transfers: set the copies and sizes and they are nested on a gang sheet priced by length.

Try the Halftoner now

Free to use. Free account to export; order the design as DTF transfers.

Works well with

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