How to Create a Halftone T-Shirt Design in Photoshop for DTF Printing

Step 1: Set Up Your File

1. Open your design file (preferably a print-ready PNG with transparency).

2. Convert the design into a layer if it isn’t already.

3. Add a background layer that matches your shirt color—for example, black.

Step 2: Duplicate and Convert to CMYK

1. Go to Image > Duplicate to create a copy of your file.

2. In the duplicate, go to Image > Mode > CMYK Color.

3. When prompted, choose Do Not Flatten.

You'll now be working in the CMYK version of your file.

Step 3: Remove CMY Channels

1. Make sure you’re working on the design layer (not the background).

2. Go to Image > Adjustments > Levels.

3. Open the Channels panel and individually:

   • Select Cyan, drag output level to 255.

   • Select Magenta, drag output level to 255.

   • Select Yellow, type 255 into the output level box.

This leaves only the Black (K) channel.

4. Now go to the Black channel and:

   • Drag the black input level to the right to deepen blacks.

   • Adjust the midtones slider (middle one) leftward to lighten grays.

Fine-tune until satisfied.

Step 4: Add a White Background Temporarily

1. Select your background layer.

2. Go to Edit > Fill, then choose White to fill the background.

This helps visualize your edits better.

Step 5: Create a 100% Black Fill

1. Go back to your design layer.

2. Open the Channels panel.

3. Ctrl + Click on the Black channel to select all visible pixels.

4. Go to Select > Inverse to invert the selection.

5. Create a new layer above the design layer.

6. Set your foreground color to 100% black in CMYK (100C/100M/100Y/100K).

7. Go to Edit > Fill > Foreground Color.

8. Go to Select > Deselect.

You can now delete the original design layer—you only need the newly filled black layer.

Step 6: Convert to Grayscale and Bitmap

1. Go to Image > Mode > Grayscale and choose Flatten.

2. Then go to Image > Mode > Bitmap.

   • Set resolution to 300 dpi.

   • Choose Halftone Screen as your method.

Halftone Settings:

• Frequency: 27 lines per inch (15–35 is typical)

• Angle: 45°

• Shape: Round (you can experiment with ellipse, square, etc.)

Now your image is halftoned—zoom in to see the dots!

Step 7: Transfer Halftone to Original File

1. Select All (Ctrl+A), then Edit > Copy your bitmap halftone image.

2. Close the bitmap file—no need to save.

3. Go back to your original file and paste the copied halftone layer.

   • It will align perfectly with your canvas.

Step 8: Apply Threshold and Mask

1. Make sure the halftone layer is selected.

2. Go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold and set it to 128.

3. Open your Channels panel, Ctrl + Click on the RGB channel to select all visible black pixels.

4. Turn off the halftone layer visibility.

5. Select your original design layer below.

6. Click the Add Layer Mask button to apply the selection.

Now your halftone pattern is applied directly as a mask to your design.

Step 9: Final Steps and Saving

• Delete or hide all extra layers, keeping only the masked design layer.

• Save your file as a transparent PNG or PDF depending on your printer’s requirements.

It may look odd on screen, but once printed on a shirt, the shirt’s black color will replace the non-printed areas, creating a soft and professional halftone effect.

Final Result Preview

When you apply the transfer to a black shirt, the missing black from your design blends with the shirt, creating a smooth, breathable result without a heavy, plasticky print feel.

Tips & Notes

• Halftoning takes practice. You might need a few tries to get the tones just right.

• Use this method only for black or dark shirts where the shirt replaces printed black.

• Always confirm with your print shop about format and resolution requirements.