DTF stands for Direct to Film printing. It is a relatively new printing technique that involves printing a design onto a piece of PET film, which is a special film with a coating that helps transfer designs. Water-based inks and a special powder adhesive are used to print the design. The design is then heat transferred to fabric using a heat press machine. DTF printing produces durable and detailed prints with vibrant colors.
What do you need for dtf printing?
DTF printing is a relatively new printing method that uses a special type of ink and film to create durable, high-quality prints on a variety of fabrics. Here are the basic things you need for DTF printing:
- A DTF printer: A DTF printer is a special type of printer that is specifically designed to print on DTF film. There are a number of different DTF printers available on the market, so you will need to choose one that is compatible with your needs.
- DTF ink: DTF ink is a special type of ink that is specifically designed to be used with DTF film. DTF ink is available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the colors that you need for your projects.
- DTF film: DTF film is a type of heat-transfer film that is coated with a special adhesive. The DTF ink is printed onto the DTF film, and the heat from the printer activates the adhesive and bonds the ink to the film.
- Hot melt powder: Hot melt powder is a special type of powder that is used to transfer the DTF print to the fabric. The hot melt powder melts when it is heated, and it bonds to the DTF ink, creating a permanent print.
- A heat press: A heat press is used to transfer the DTF print to the fabric. The heat press melts the hot melt powder and bonds it to the ink, creating a permanent print.
- A computer with a DTF RIP software: You will need a computer with a RIP software to create and print your DTF designs. There are a number of different Dtf rip software programs available, so you will need to choose one that is compatible with your needs.
In addition to these basic things, you may also need some other supplies, such as:
- DTF Air Purifier. It helps to ventilate the area when you are curing the DTF powder, and it can absorb and filter out any gases or dust that may be present.
- A DTF curing oven. It is used to melt the DTF powder and create a stronger adhesion. It is not required for DTF printing, but it can speed up the production process and improve the quality of the prints.
- DTF Powder Shaker Machine/ DTF Dryer. This is used to evenly distribute the hot melt powder on the printed design.
- A lint roller. This is used to remove any lint or dust from the fabric before printing.
Once you have all of the necessary supplies, you can start DTF printing. The process is relatively simple, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully to get the best results.
So lets dive into the steps on how to do dtf printing.
DTF Printing Process
The DTF printing process involves several key steps that lead to the creation of high-quality transfers. Let’s take a closer look at each stage on how to do dtf printing:
- Prepare the Design and Film: Begin by creating or selecting the design you wish to print using DTF. Ensure that the design is in CMYK format to match the DTF ink colors. Once the design is ready, load the DTF film into your DTF printer.
- Printing the Transfer: Utilizing a DTF printer such as the Procolored A3 L1800, Uninet 100, Rolland BN20D, Prestige A3 Plus, or A3 Plus R, the CMYK ink and white layer are printed onto the DTF film. The unique feature of printing in reverse ensures that the white ink is positioned on the back of the image.
- Applying Curing Powder: After printing, a curing powder is applied to the back of the transfer. This can be done manually by shaking the powder onto the film or by utilizing automated methods such as larger-sized automatic shakers or inline shakers.
- Curing the Powder: To transform the curing powder into an adhesive texture, it needs to be cured and melted. This can be achieved through a heating oven or a heat press. It is worth noting that using a heating oven is recommended due to the requirement for proper fume extraction. The curing process typically takes around two minutes.
- Prepare the Garment: While the curing powder is being processed, prepare the garment on which you will apply the DTF transfer. Ensure that the garment is clean and flat, ready to receive the transfer.
- Transfer Application: Once the powder is cured, the DTF transfer is ready for application. It can be immediately applied to a shirt or stored/sold for future use. Unlike some other methods, DTF transfers can be effortlessly applied by customers using a regular iron, eliminating the need for a heat press.
- Final Pressing: To ensure optimal adhesion, a final press is performed on the applied transfer. This involves applying a relatively low temperature (around 300 degrees) for approximately 30 seconds. Two types of DTF film exist: cold peel and hot peel. Cold peel transfers require the film to cool completely, resulting in vibrant colors and a visually appealing finish.
- Peel the Film: After the final pressing, allow the transfer to cool down. Depending on the type of DTF film used, it may be a cold peel or a hot peel. For cold peel transfers, wait until the film has completely cooled before peeling it off. This process will extract vibrant colors and provide a visually appealing finish.
- Quality Check and Finish: After the peeling off the film, inspect the garment to ensure the transfer is securely adhered and that the colors appear vibrant and crisp. Once satisfied with the results, your DTF printing process is complete. The garment is now ready to be worn or sold.
Following these step-by-step instructions will help you successfully complete the DTF printing process. Remember to refer to machine-specific guidelines and manufacturer’s directions for precise time, temperature, and other specifications.
What type of ink is used in dtf printing?
DTF printing uses a special type of ink that is designed to be printed on a film called a pigment ink. Pigment inks are made up of small particles of pigment that are suspended in a liquid carrier. The pigment particles are what give the ink its color, and the liquid carrier helps to keep the ink flowing smoothly through the printer.
DTF ink is different from other types of ink in a few ways. First, it is designed to be heat-activated. This means that the ink will not dry until it is heated, which allows for more detailed printing. Second, DTF ink is water-resistant, which means that the prints will not fade or bleed when they are washed.
DTF Printing problems
DTF printing is a complex process, and even experienced professionals can encounter problems. Some of the most common issues include uneven printing, image distortion, and banding.
According to our research and data collection, the following are the most typical DTF printing problems:
- Ink Smudging
- Image Blurring
- Clogging of Printer Heads
- Film Wrinkling
- Film Not Transferring Properly
- Color Inconsistencies
- Uneven Prints
- Film Peeling Off
- White Ink Issues
- Poor Adhesion
- Image Distortion
- Printhead Strikes
DTF printing compared to other print methods
With so many print methods available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your business. To help you narrow down your options, we’ve put together a brief comparison of DTF printing, DTG printing, sublimation printing, and screen printing.
Direct-to-film vs. direct-to-garment printing
The main difference between DTF printing and DTG printing is the way the ink is applied to the fabric.
DTF printing: DTF printing uses a special DTF transfer film that is printed with the design. The film is then heat-pressed onto the garment, which transfers the ink to the fabric. DTF printing does not require any pre-treatment of the fabric, which can save time and money. DTF printing can be used on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, denim, and canvas.
DTG printing: DTG printing prints directly onto the garment using a special ink that is absorbed into the fabric. DTG printing requires pre-treatment of the fabric to ensure that the ink adheres correctly. DTG printing produces long-lasting, full-color prints that are ideal for complex designs and low-quantity orders.
Direct-to-film vs. screen printing
Screen printing is a popular printing method that works by pushing ink through a woven screen or mesh stencil onto fabric.
- How it works: A screen is made for each color and design element. The ink is then pushed through the screen onto the fabric. The ink lays on top of the fabric, rather than soaking into it.
- Feel: The feel of a screen-printed design can vary depending on how detailed the artwork is. More detailed artwork requires more ink layers, which can make the design feel thicker.
- Application: Screen printing is best for solid designs without small details, such as symbols, shapes, and geometric designs.
DTF printing is another popular printing method that works by transferring a design from a transfer film to fabric using a heat press.
- How it works: The design is printed on a transfer film. The film is then heat-pressed onto the fabric, which transfers the ink to the fabric. The ink is not pushed through a screen, so there is no need for separate screens for each color or design element.
- Feel: The feel of a DTF-printed design is more uniform than a screen-printed design. The ink does not soak into the fabric, so the design does not feel thicker no matter how many colors or design elements are added.
- Application: DTF printing works well with detailed designs. It can also be used on a wider variety of fabrics than screen printing.
Direct-to-film vs. sublimation printing
Sublimation printing is a popular printing method that has experienced rapid growth over the past few decades. It works by printing artwork into fabric from seam to seam, using heat to bind the ink to the garment.
However, sublimation printing can be time-consuming. The design is first printed on special paper, which is then fed into a heat press machine. The heat press then bonds the ink to the garment.
Sublimation printing is suitable for printing on different types of polyester, such as polymer-coated fabric and polyester fabric blends. It is also used for other types of products, such as mouse pads, mugs, and blankets.
If you plan to expand your product catalog to include a variety of fabric blends, you may want to consider including DTF printing alongside sublimation. DTF printing can be used on a wider range of fabric types, so you won’t be limited to polyester blends.
Pros and Cons of DTF printing
Pros:
- Vivid colors: DTF printing produces vibrant and high-quality prints.
- Durable prints: DTF prints are durable and can withstand repeated washings.
- Affordable: DTF printing is a relatively affordable printing method.
- Easy to learn: DTF printing is relatively easy to learn and can be done by beginners.
- No pretreatment required: DTF printing does not require any pretreatment of the fabric, which saves time and effort. This is in contrast to other printing methods such as DTG, which require the fabric to be treated with a special solution before printing.
- No A+B Sheets Marrying Process: If you are familiar with white toner laser printing, you will know that the marrying process of expensive A+B sheets can be time-consuming and frustrating. DTF printing does not require this process, which is a major advantage.
- Versatile: DTF printing can be used on almost any material or fabric, including cotton, polyester, and blends. This makes it a versatile printing method that can be used for a variety of applications.
- Retains hand feel: After DTF printing, the fabric will still have a slight hand feel to it. This is because the ink is applied to the surface of the fabric, rather than being absorbed into the fabric. This gives the finished product a more natural feel.
- Excellent wash resistance: DTF prints are known for their excellent wash resistance. This means that the prints will not fade or crack after being washed. This makes DTF printing a good choice for garments that will be washed frequently.
- Less tedious and quicker: DTF printing is a less tedious and quicker printing method than other methods such as DTG. This is because DTF printing does not require any pretreatment of the fabric, and the printing process is relatively simple.
Cons:
- Requires a heat press: DTF printing requires a heat press to transfer the image to the fabric.
- Can be messy: DTF printing can be messy, as it involves the use of powder.
- Not as durable as DTG printing: DTF prints are not as durable as DTG prints, which are printed directly onto the fabric.
- Can be slow: DTF printing can be slow, as it involves a two-step process.
- Printed area: In DTF printing, the ink is applied to the surface of the fabric, rather than being absorbed into the fabric. This means that the printed area will be slightly more noticeable than in sublimation printing, where the ink is absorbed into the fabric.
- Color vibrancy: The color vibrancy in DTF printing is somewhat lower than in sublimation printing. This is because the ink is not as opaque as sublimation ink. Sublimation ink is able to penetrate the fabric, which gives the colors a more vibrant appearance.
