How To Choose The Best DTF Film?

DTF printing has become popular in custom clothing, and DTF Film plays an irreplaceable role as a transfer medium. Choosing the best film is crucial to the printed product’s clarity, color, and durability. Now, there are a variety of DTF Pet Films on the market. How do you choose the DTF transfer film that best suits your needs?

Whether you are a DTF beginner or an experienced professional, this guide provides relevant knowledge, and you will make a wise choice for your printing business.

What Is DTF Film?

DTF film is a special medium in the direct film printing process. The pattern is printed onto the film by using DTF ink, and then the pattern is transferred to the fabric (cotton, polyester, nylon, leather, silk, leather, etc.) by using a heat press.

Also read: How to use DTF transfer film?

What Are the Different Types of DTF Films?

DTF film can be classified according to peeling temperature, coating process, and visual effect, and there are several types:

DTF Film Peeling temperature

• Hot peeling film: After the transfer is completed, the thermal transfer film can be peeled off immediately. This transfer film can save waiting time and improve efficiency.
• Cold peeling film: The film temperature needs to be completely cooled after the transfer. Then, it can be peeled off. This type of film product has good stability and can produce clearer and more detailed printing effects.

Coating process

• Single-sided coated film: There is a coating on only one side to accommodate ink and adhesive powder, and the other side is glossy PET-based film. A more common type.
• Double-sided coated film: There is a coating on both sides to prevent slipping during printing, which is more stable and easier to handle.

Visual effect

• Matte film: Produces a matte surface, suitable for exquisite and professional appearance design.
• Glossy film: The surface is bright, and suitable for designs full of bright colors.
• Luminous DTF film: It can glow in a dark environment and is used to make various creative patterns.
• Thermodynamic DTF film: The color of the pattern changes with the temperature change.
• Flash DTF film: inlaid with shining luminous particles, it adds a touch of luxury and magnificence to the pattern.
• Colorful reflective DTF film: it can reflect a variety of colors under light, which can bring a strong visual impact.
• Color-changing DTF film: the color of the pattern will change at different viewing angles, with a unique visual effect.
• Gradient color DTF film: the color of the printed pattern gradually changes, with rich layering and visual enjoyment.
• Gold/silver DTF film: through hot stamping or hot silvering process, add gold or silver effect to the pattern to enhance the overall texture.

How to choose the best DTF film? 7 factors

Because there are many types of DTF films, choosing the right film requires considering the following seven key factors:

• Coating: Coating plays a key role in ink adhesion. Good coating can firmly fix the ink. Poor coating will lead to uneven printing or incomplete transfer effects. When choosing, you need to observe whether its surface coating is uniform, smooth,h and delicate.
• Thickness: The thickness of the film will affect the durability of the printed product. Opaque films are generally thicker and have strong ink absorption ability. Films that are too thick will be troublesome to operate. Choose a film that is thick enough and flexible enough for easy use.
• Ink Absorption Capacity： A good DTF film should have excellent ink absorption properties to ensure vibrant and detailed prints. Films with poor absorption may result in dull colors, smudging, or poor adhesion during the transfer process.
• Ink absorption capacity: The ink absorbency is strong, and the ink will not stain the surface, which can produce clear and bright patterns. Choose a film that is suitable for your DTF ink.
• Transparency: The high-transparency DTF film can easily align the transfer fabric, making transfer simple.
• Powder application effect: When testing samples, films with poor powder shaking effect will have powder residue on the edge of the pattern. So, choose a film that shakes the powder cleanly without residue.
• High-temperature resistance: DTF transfer requires high-temperature hot pressing. Therefore, DTF film must be resistant to high temperatures. If the film does not turn yellow, curl, or de-adhesive at a temperature of 150°C, it is a high-quality film.

Also read: How to apply DTF transfers to T-shirts?

Conclusion

Choosing the best DTF film is a critical step to ensure the success of your printing project. You can screen and test according to the above guidelines. Investing in the right DTF film will help you keep getting more printing orders.

If you have other questions or want to get a free sample test, you can contact Winnerjet to provide you with different similar DTF films to test the quality.

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