DTF Glossary
Soft-hand underbase
A soft-hand underbase reduces solid white coverage with a controlled pattern so the transferred area can feel less heavy than a fully solid backing. It trades coverage structure against colour support and durability. The result depends on dot method, density, artwork, fabric, ink, powder, cure, press, and wash testing.
In practice
Soft-hand is not the same as lowering opacity uniformly. A patterned mask leaves discrete openings; a lower white amount changes intensity across covered pixels. Both may alter colour appearance on dark fabric.
NestSheet includes a soft-hand white mode and preview. Treat it as a testable mask recipe, not a universal recommendation for every garment or artwork.