Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a popular method for creating high-quality transfers that can be applied to a variety of fabrics. The key to successful DTF printing is using the right ink. In this article, we will discuss the best DTF inks on the market, as well as some factors to consider when choosing an ink.
What is dtf ink?
DTF ink stands for Direct-to-Film ink. It is a type of water-based ink that is used for direct-to-film printing. This means that the ink is printed directly onto a film, which is then heat-transferred to a fabric. DTF ink is typically used for printing on dark fabrics, as it can produce vibrant colors that are resistant to fading.
Factors to consider when choosing a DTF ink:
- Color vibrancy: DTF inks should produce vibrant colors that are true to the original image. This is important for creating high-quality transfers that will look great on a variety of fabrics.
- Durability: DTF inks should be durable and resistant to fading and cracking. This is important for ensuring that your transfers will last for years to come.
- Ease of use: DTF inks should be easy to use and compatible with a variety of printers. This is important for ensuring that you can get started with DTF printing quickly and easily.
- Price: DTF inks can range in price from affordable to expensive. It is important to find an ink that fits your budget.
- Compatibility with your printer: Make sure the DTF ink you choose is compatible with your printer. Not all DTF inks are compatible with all printers, so it is important to check before you buy.
- Reputation of the brand: Choose a DTF ink from a reputable brand that has a good reputation for quality. This will help you ensure that you are getting a good product that will perform well.
- The type of fabric you will be printing on: Some DTF inks are better suited for certain types of fabrics than others. For example, some inks are better for printing on dark fabrics, while others are better for printing on light fabrics.
- The amount of printing you will be doing: If you will be doing a lot of DTF printing, you may want to choose an ink that is more affordable. However, if you will only be doing a small amount of printing, you may want to choose an ink that is higher quality.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best DTF ink for your needs and create stunning transfers that will last for years to come.
Best Dtf Ink for Epson Printers
1. CenDale Premium DTF Ink 600ML – for Epson ET-8550, XP-15000, L1800, L805, R1390, R2400 DTF Printers
The CenDale DTF Ink is a high-quality DTF ink that is compatible with most Epson printers. It is made with German solvent and Japanese resin, which gives it excellent color fastness and durability. The ink is also very easy to use, and it produces high-quality prints that are soft and durable.
This ink is specifically designed for use with the CenDale DTF Transfer Paper, but it can also be used with other DTF transfer papers. It comes in a set of 100ml bottles, and each bottle contains enough ink to print about 50 A4-sized transfers.
The CenDale DTF Ink is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality DTF ink that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints. It is also a good value for the price, as it comes in a large bottle that will last for a long time.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the CenDale DTF Ink:
Pros:
- High-quality prints
- Soft and durable
- Easy to use
- Compatible with most Epson printers
- Good price
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the ink can be messy
- The ink can be difficult to find in some stores
Overall, the CenDale DTF Ink (for Epson ET-8550, XP-15000, L1800, L805, R1390, R2400 DTF Printers) is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality DTF ink that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints.
2. Welacer DTF Ink Premium 6x100ml – for Epson L1800, R2400, L800, 1430, P400,P800,R2000,XP-15000 DTF Printers
The Welacer DTF Ink is a high-quality DTF ink that is compatible with most Epson printers, including the XP-15000. It is made with German solvent and Japanese resin, which gives it excellent color fastness and durability. The ink is also very easy to use, and it produces high-quality prints that are soft and durable.
This ink is specifically designed for use with the Welacer DTF Transfer Film, which is a high-quality transfer film that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints. The ink and transfer film work together to create durable, long-lasting prints that are perfect for a variety of applications, including clothing, hats, bags, and more.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Welacer DTF Ink:
Pros:
- High-quality prints
- Soft and durable
- Easy to use
- Compatible with most Epson printers
- Good price
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the ink can be messy
- The ink can be difficult to find in some stores
Overall, the Welacer DTF Ink is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality DTF ink that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints.
3. Enlite DTF Ink 250ML Combo Pack – for DTF Printer with Epson printhead DX5 DX7 5113 XP600 I3200 4720 TX800, 2W+1B+1C+1M+1Y
The Enlite Premium DTF Ink is a high-quality DTF ink for DTF Printer with Epson printhead DX5, DX7, 5113, XP600, I3200, 4720, TX800, 2W+1B+1C+1M+1Y. It is made with German solvent and Japanese resin, which gives it excellent color fastness and durability. The ink is also very easy to use, and it produces high-quality prints that are soft and durable.
This ink is specifically designed for use with DTF printers, which use heat to transfer the ink to a transfer film. The ink is then applied to a garment, and heat is used to cure the ink. This process results in high-quality prints that are durable and long-lasting.
The Enlite Premium DTF Ink is available in a variety of colors, so you can create custom prints that match your needs. The ink is also relatively affordable, making it a cost-effective option for DTF printing.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Enlite Premium DTF Ink:
Pros:
- High-quality prints
- Soft and durable
- Easy to use
- Compatible with most Epson printers
- Affordable
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the ink can be messy
- The ink can be difficult to find in some stores
Overall, the Enlite Premium DTF Ink is a great option for those who are looking for a high-quality DTF ink that is easy to use and produces high-quality prints.
4. OFFNOVA Premium DTF Ink 1500ML – for Epson ET-8550, XP-15000, L1800, L805, R1390, R2400 DTF Printers
The OFFNOVA Premium DTF Ink kit is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable and high-quality ink for Epson ET-8550, XP-15000, L1800, L805, R1390, R2400 DTF Printers. The kit includes 6 bottles of DTF ink, 250ml of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black and 500ml of White, as well as 5 syringes with needles. The ink is compatible with all DTF printers and most Epson Desktop Printers. It has a smooth texture and great color fastness, and it produces bright and vivid colors. The ink is also quick-drying, waterproof, and fade-resistant.
One thing to note is that the OFFNOVA DTF ink should be shaken frequently to prevent clogging or separation. Overall, this is a great DTF ink kit that is a good value for the price.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the DTF ink kit:
Pros:
- Affordable
- High-quality
- Compatible with most DTF printers and Epson Desktop Printers
- Smooth texture and great color fastness
- Produces bright and vivid colors
- Quick-drying, waterproof, and fade-resistant
Cons:
- Should be shaken frequently to prevent clogging or separation
Overall, this is a great DTF ink kit that is a good value for the price. If you are looking for an affordable and high-quality DTF ink, then this kit is a great option.
5. Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink
The Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink is a premium DTF ink kit that contains 6 bottles of 100ml ink, for a total of 5 colors (yellow, cyan, magenta, black, and white). The ink is compatible with all DTF printers, including Epson printers such as the L1800, R2400, L800, 1430, P400/P408, P600/P608, P800, R1390, R1800, R1900, R2000, R2880, R3000, 3880, 4880, 7880, and XP-15000.
The ink is said to produce vivid colors and high heat transfer printing rates. It also has the characteristics of high saturation, good air permeability, quick drying, waterproof, and non-fading. The ink is also said to be smooth and anti-clogging.
The Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink comes with a 60-day risk-free warranty, so you can be sure that you are making a safe purchase.
Overall, the Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink seems to be a high-quality DTF ink kit that is compatible with a wide range of printers. It is also said to produce vivid colors and high heat transfer printing rates. However, it is important to note that I have not personally used this ink, so I cannot provide a first-hand account of its performance.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink:
Pros:
- Vivid colors
- High heat transfer printing rates
- Smooth and anti-clogging
- Compatible with a wide range of printers
- 60-day risk-free warranty
Cons:
- I have not personally used this ink, so I cannot provide a first-hand account of its performance
The Jecqbor DTF Transfer Ink seems to be a good option for those who are looking for a high-quality DTF ink kit.
Best Dtf Ink by Brand
1. DTF Ink by Kingdomdtf
KingdomDTF is a popular online retailer of DTF inks. They offer a wide variety of inks, including CMYK, white, and glitter inks. Their inks are compatible with a variety of printers, including Epson, Brother, and Canon printers.
KingdomDTF inks are known for their vibrant colors and durability. They are also relatively affordable. One of the benefits of using KingdomDTF inks is that they offer a variety of bundles that include all of the supplies you need to get started with DTF printing.
- The inks are made in the USA.
- The inks are water-based.
- The inks are compatible with a variety of dtf printers.
- The inks come in a variety of sizes, including 8oz, 16oz, and 32oz bottles.
- The inks are priced competitively.
If you are looking for a good quality DTF ink at an affordable price, then KingdomDTF DTF inks are a good option to consider.
2. DTF Ink by Procolored
Procolored is a company that specializes in DTF printing supplies. They offer a variety of the best DTF inks, including CMYK inks, white ink, and glitter ink. Their inks are known for their vibrant colors, durability, and affordability.
The Procolored DTF ink is a water-based ink that is compatible with a variety of printers, including Epson, Brother, and Canon. The ink is available in a variety of sizes, including 250ml and 500ml bottles.
Pros:
- Upgraded formula: The ink is made with German solvent and Japanese resin and color paste, which gives it high ink fluency and excellent color fastness.
- Wide color range: The ink covers a wide color range, offering exceptional density, saturation, washability, and fade resistance.
- Compatibility: The ink is compatible with DTF and 6/8-color Epson printers.
- What you get: The kit includes 500ml of cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and white ink.
- 3-level refinement: The ink is refined three times, which improves the working efficiency of the printer and ensures low consumption and stable quality during high-speed printing.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee: Procolored offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are buying a quality product.
Cons:
- The white ink needs to be rolled/shook daily to prevent clogging or separation.
Overall, the Procolored DTF ink is a good option for those looking for a high-quality DTF ink with a wide range of colors and compatibility with a variety of printers. The ink is also backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are buying a quality product.
FAQ’s
What is dtf ink made of?
DTF ink is made of a variety of materials, including:
- Pigments: These are the colored particles that give DTF ink its color. Pigments are typically made from organic or inorganic materials, such as dyes, resins, or metal oxides.
- Binders: These are the materials that hold the pigments together and make them adhere to the film. Binders are typically made from polymers, such as acrylics or polyesters.
- Solvents: These are the materials that dissolve the pigments and binders and allow them to flow through the printer’s printhead. Solvents are typically made from water or alcohol.
- Additives: These are the materials that add additional properties to DTF ink, such as durability, water resistance, or anti-clogging properties. Additives are typically made from surfactants, stabilizers, or UV protectants.
The specific composition of DTF ink can vary depending on the manufacturer. However, the general ingredients listed above are common to most DTF inks.
What ink is used for dtf printing?
The ink used for DTF printing is typically water-based because it is easier to work with than solvent-based inks. Water-based inks are also less likely to cause clogging in the printer’s printhead. The ink used for DTF printing also typically contains a white pigment. This is because the white pigment helps to create a brighter and more vibrant image on the fabric.
Here are some of the most common types of ink used for DTF printing:
- Pigment ink: This is the most common type of ink used for DTF printing. Pigment inks are made up of small particles of color that are suspended in a liquid. These particles are then heat pressed onto the fabric, where they adhere to the fibers.
- Solvent ink: Solvent inks are less common than pigment inks for DTF printing. Solvent inks are made up of small particles of color that are dissolved in a solvent. Solvent inks can be more difficult to work with than pigment inks, but they can produce brighter and more vibrant images.
- White ink: White ink is often used in DTF printing to create a brighter and more vibrant image on the fabric. White ink is typically a pigment ink, but it can also be a solvent ink.
Conclusion
The best DTF ink is the one that meets your specific needs and budget. There are many different DTF inks on the market, so it is important to do your research to find the right one for you.
