PigmentaLab

Halftone Generator for DTF

PigmentaLab turns your image into DTF halftones using a stochastic screen and Alpha-Mask Halftone: instead of painting an effect on top, it punches the alpha channel with a dot pattern for less plastic patch and a softer hand on dark garments.

Halftones tackle the most common DTF problem: the plastic-patch effect that shows up when you print large blocks of ink. Instead of altering colors, the engine keeps RGB untouched, builds a mask (white background 255, black dots 0) and multiplies it by the original alpha to punch transparency with the pattern. The result is a transparent PNG with air and less ink mass, ready for your RIP with the screen already controlled.

How to create DTF halftones

  1. Upload your image (PNG with transparency or with a background) to the halftone tool. The upload limit is 100 MB per file and it accepts PNG, JPG and WebP.
  2. Set dot_spacing (px), the grid step: lower it for more dots and definition, raise it for more air and an artistic look.
  3. Set max_radius (px), the dot radius ceiling: it drives the total visible mass. More radius adds coverage in shadows but risks clogging if dot_spacing doesn't keep up.
  4. Tune threshold (0..255): in this engine it's not a cutoff but an exponent (size_factor = t^exponent). A low threshold grows the dot even in midtones; a high threshold keeps it to real shadows for a softer hand.
  5. Pick a shape (circle, square, diamond or ring) and an angle preset (Grid 45°, Diagonal 15°, Soft/HD or Max Contrast). Diagonal avoids moiré on large prints; circle is the most stable for thin lines.
  6. Start from an official preset (Black DTF Soft-Hand, HD Realism or Comic/Screen Print) and export the transparent PNG ready to print.

Specs

  • Screening mode: Alpha-Mask Halftone (máscara × alpha original)
  • Dot spacing: dot_spacing (px) = paso de la grilla / cell_size
  • Dot size: max_radius (px), techo del radio por celda
  • Threshold / curve: threshold 0..255 → exponente (size_factor = t^exponent)
  • Dot shapes: círculo / cuadrado / rombo / anillo
  • Angle preset / effect: Grid 45° / Diagonal 15° / Suave HD / Contraste Máximo (ajustan angle y blur)
  • Output: PNG transparente listo para imprimir
  • Upload limit: 100 MB por archivo (PNG / JPG / WebP)
  • Cost per export: 1 crédito por imagen exportada
  • Black DTF Soft-Hand preset: dot_spacing 14–18 px · max_radius 4–6 px · threshold 60–110 · círculo/anillo
  • HD Realism preset: dot_spacing 8–14 px · max_radius 3–5 px · threshold 70–130 · círculo
  • Comic / Screen Print preset: dot_spacing 16–26 px · max_radius 9–14 px · threshold 35–80 · rombo/cuadrado

Frequently asked questions

Do DTF halftones really reduce white ink?

Yes, because they cut effective coverage by punching the alpha with the dot pattern. With less visible mass, you usually need less of a continuous ink block, which lightens the print and lowers consumption compared to printing the design as a solid fill. The actual savings depend on how much air you leave with dot_spacing, max_radius and threshold.

Can I apply halftones to a color design or only black and white?

You can use it on color with no problem. The engine keeps RGB untouched, so your artwork colors are preserved; the only thing that changes is how much area stays visible based on the dot pattern. It's an Alpha-Mask Halftone: it screens the alpha channel, not a filter that repaints the image or turns it grayscale.

What does the threshold parameter actually do?

In this engine threshold isn't a cutoff but a curve: it's turned into an exponent that defines how the dot grows (size_factor = t^exponent). A low threshold grows the dot even in midtones for more coverage and a more aggressive look; a high one keeps it to real shadows, giving a softer hand and less dirt. It doesn't work like an on/off threshold.

Which preset should I use for a soft-hand print on a black tee?

The official Black DTF Soft-Hand preset: dot_spacing 14–18 px, max_radius 4–6 px, threshold 60–110, and circle or ring shape. It's built to leave air and save ink mass without breaking legibility of the design on a dark garment. Use it as a starting point and adjust threshold depending on how much coverage you want in the shadows.

How do I avoid moiré on large prints?

Switch the angle preset to Diagonal 15° instead of the standard Grid 45°: rotating the screen breaks the regular repetition that causes visual moiré. For thin lines the circle shape is the most stable; the ring leaves more air but needs extra care. If you still see a pattern, try varying dot_spacing as well.

What file size and formats can I upload?

The upload limit is 100 MB per file, and it accepts PNG, JPG and WebP. You can upload a PNG with transparency or an image with a background. If you need to clean the alpha before screening, run it through Alpha Cleanup first, and use Remove Background for a PNG that still has a background.

Why do my star shapes or points look weird when screened?

At small radii the points get razor-thin and can disappear when rasterized. For reliable production, use circle or diamond shapes, which are more robust and hold even density across the full tonal range. If you want a bolder look, raise max_radius so the shapes carry enough mass to render cleanly.

Explore key pages

https://pigmentalab.io/en/semitonos-dtf