DTF Printing – Everything You Need To Know

As the popularity of custom clothing continues to rise, more and more companies are turning to DTF printing to meet their diverse needs.

Follow this article. You will master the working steps of DTF printing and the necessary equipment and materials.

We will also introduce the advantages and disadvantages of DTF printing and its uses. Finally, a brief understanding of the difference between DTF and DTG and sublimation printing.

Let’s get started!

What Is DTF Printing ?

DTF printing is a digital printing technology that uses water-based ink to print the pattern onto a transfer film, which is then transferred to fabrics such as cotton, polyester, nylon, leather, canvas, denim, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers through a heat press.

Essentials for DTF printing

• DTF Printer: A standard inkjet printer for DTF printing, with multiple ink bottles that run in CMYK+W settings.
• DTF Ink: Specialized ink for DTF printing. Available in black, cyan, magenta, yellow, and white. White ink is the base layer for printing.
• DTF Pet Film: The media in DTF printing, available in sheet or roll form for printing at different scales.
• DTF Powder: A granular powder that ensures the pattern adheres to the fabric.
• Powder Shaker: Ensures that the hot melt powder covers the printed pattern evenly.
• Curing Oven: Used to melt the hot melt powder.
• Heat Press: Transfers the pattern to the blank fabric.
• RIP Software: Used to adjust the print settings, including color settings, drop size, and ink volume.

DTF Printing Step-by-Step Guide

• Design: Use software to design your pattern, make sure it is high resolution, and save it in a format that your printer supports.
• Printing: Print the designed pattern on a particular DTF film using a special DTF printer compatible with DTF inks.
• Shake powder: The printed film is evenly coated with adhesive powder, which ensures strong adhesion and improves durability.
• Transfer: Set the heat press to approximately 320°F (160°C) and press for 15-20 seconds at medium pressure.
• Peel Film: After cooling, peel off the film to reveal the transferred design.
• Finish: Complete the design pattern with vibrant and accurate colors.

Pros and Cons of DTF Printing

Pros

• No pre-treatment is required.
• Versatile, can be printed on almost all fabrics.
• Prints are highly elastic and will not deform or break when stretched.
• Long-lasting, resistant to washing and abrasion.
• Simple to operate, easier and faster to achieve than other printing technologies such as DTG.

Cons

• Initial investment is higher.
• The surface print of the fabric has a slightly plastic feel, similar to the feel of screen printing transfer or HTV.
• The printing process is more complicated than methods such as sublimation and DTG.
• The color vividness is slightly lower than that of thermal sublimation printing.

DTF Printing Applications

• T-shirts
• Hoodies
• Sportswear
• Hats
• Tote bags
• Pillowcases
• Masks
• Backpacks
• Shoes
• Signs
• Banners
• And many other products

Conclusions

DTF printing technology has changed the landscape of textile printing. Its successful application in customized T-shirts, hoodies, and bags has made it more and more popular among enterprises.

Whether you are a startup or want to expand your business, DTF printing is a powerful helper.

We hope that this article can help you understand DTF printing and achieve greater success in the field of custom printing.

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