For some readers, the first question about DTF is: "What the heck is it?" Fair enough. Let’s start there. Once we’ve laid the groundwork and clarified what direct-to-film printing means, we’ll dive into the DTF FAQs.
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DTF is an amalgamation of old and new garment decoration technologies. It combines the ease-of-application of old-fashioned plastisol transfers with the custom printing capabilities of direct-to-garment, aka DTG, printers.
In short, DTF is an apparel decoration process in which custom images are printed with an inkjet printer on a specially coated film. The ink is then coated with white or black adhesive powder, and the powder is cured by heat, which fuses the powder and ink. The film is then placed on apparel in a heat press and pressed to the garment. Once cooled, the film is removed and the printed image remains on the garment. The applied transfer is soft, durable, and stretchable.Please click here for a step-by-step pictorial guide to the DTF process.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the direct-to-film process, let’s jump right into the FAQs. These are the most frequently asked questions our customers have posed when considering a DTF printer purchase.
Can DTF printers print on other media, such as HTV or vinyl?
Generally, the answer is no. Most DTF printers are engineered specifically for printing on the specially-coated film for which DTF is named. However, the Roland BY-20, which is based on a printer-cutter, can also be used to print (and cut) solvent-printable heat transfer film.
What is the purpose of the powder?
The powder that is applied to DTF prints serves the same purposes as adhesive paper in two-step, white toner transfer printers, or pre-treatments used on cotton shirts in DTG printers. It helps bind the ink to the apparel. Since most DTF powder is white, it also adds a blocking layer that prevents the color of the decorated apparel from showing through the ink. This produces a transfer that is vivid and colorful, even on black fabric.
How long does it take to cure?
Most DTF powder requires a curing time of two minutes, at 120° C (250°F). For sheets with large images and/or a lot of ink coverage, it may be necessary to open the cover, rotate the page 180 degrees, and then cure for another 2 minutes.
Does it work on hard surfaces?
Sadly, no. As good as DTF is, it can’t do everything. Direct-to-Fil printing is great for decorating apparel. But - like DTG - it’s a one-trick pony. The film and powder process are only supported for use on textiles. This includes cotton, Polyester, cotton-poly blends, and tri-blends, but it does not include mugs, ceramic tiles, or metals. These are applications best handled through dye sublimation, vinyl, or laser transfer.
What accessories do I need?
In addition to a dedicated DTF printer using textile pigment ink, you’ll need a few essentials to make the magic happen. The bare essentials are a heat station to cure the powder and a heat press to apply the film to fabric. In addition to these indispensable items, a fume extractor is highly recommended.
Is DTF Right for You?
This is the proverbial $64,000 question. Adjusted for inflation, it’s the $735,000 question in today’s dollars.* Anyway, this is the most important question. And it’s a question only you can answer. But we can help. We’ve talked mostly about DTF’s advantages. Let’s get real and discuss a few important caveats.
Daily Maintenance: Most DTF printers use CMYK plus white ink. Any inkjet printer with white ink requires regular maintenance to prevent the titanium Dioxide in the ink from settling. Lack of regular maintenance can cause problems as mild as faded transfers to clogged print heads. If you can’t commit to running the printer daily and cleaning it weekly, consider other options.
Ventilation: The adhesive powder that is the secret sauce of DTF emits fumes during curing that may be hazardous to your health.** These must be properly vented. If you plan to setup a DTF printer in a home, school, or office environment, buy a good fume extractor and change the filters regularly
Textiles Only: DTF can’t be used to decorate hard surfaces like ceramics and metals. It can’t be used to print banners or decals. If these kinds of promotional items are a vital part of your business, sublimation or HTV might be a better choice. DTF has revolutionized the sign and garment industry like no other technology in recent memory. It offers a unique set of benefits and advantages. It’s easy to do, economical, and produces vividly colored, stretchable transfers. It offers a unique set of advantages - and some disadvantages - compared to the most popular garment decoration techniques in the market. It’s still fairly new, so there are lots of questions about this disruptive technology. We hope this DTF FAQ article has addressed all of yours. If not, feel free to Contact Us to continue the conversation.
____________________________________________________________ * *The $64,000 Question was a popular game show on TV during the s.
Want more information on dtf textile pigment ink? Feel free to contact us.
DTF printing has been gaining increasing attention for its impressive performance in digital printing area. To conduct a DTF print, you need to print your design on PET film with specialized ink, and then heat press the design onto the fabric.
Many people are confused about the type of DTF printer ink and bothered to find the best DTF ink among loads of options. To help you save time, this article offers complete guidance about what kind of ink is used for DTF. Let's get started!
DTF ink, or Direct-to-Film ink, is a specialized type of ink used in the Direct-to-Film printing process. This process involves printing designs onto a special film, which is then transferred onto various fabrics or materials using a heat press. DTF ink is designed to adhere well to the film and, subsequently, to the fabric, ensuring vibrant and durable prints.
DTF ink contains pigments, resins, and other ingredients that attach to a variety of surfaces and create brilliant, long-lasting prints. The exact ingredients of DTF ink may vary depending on the manufacturer and the composition of the ink. Generally speaking, the following are some of the standard ingredients:
When you are looking for the most suitable DTF ink, here are a few factors for consideration:
Consider the type of fabric you will be printing on, and then choose DTF inks designed for the intended fabric. This will help to ensure optimal adhesion and durability.
The DTF ink you choose should be compatible with your printer. Mismatch may lead to operation abnormalities.
If you opt for xTool Apparel Printer, then xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink is definitely your priority.
It's vital to choose ink with a viscosity appropriate for your printer and application, or the adhesion effect can be unsatisfactory.
Higher-quality inks produce brighter, more vivid colours that are less prone to fade over time. When printing designs with precise color requirements, it’s critical to use an ink that provides accurate, consistent colours of multiple choices to guarantee the versatility in your designs.
Try to look for ink certified to be washer and dryer safe. Inks that are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling are vital for generating long-lasting prints that can survive wear and tear.
Choose the DTF ink that is easy to apply and produces consistent results. Inks designed for easy cleanup are more recommended.
The cost of ink is surely worth consideration. For anyone on a budget, just select the ink that can strike a balance between cost and high printing quality.
To wrap up, when selecting DTF inks, based on application scenarios, you should consider ink's compatibility with your printer and intented fabric. Inks with appropriate viscosity, better durability and wider color range are worth trying. If you are on a budget, just go for a more cost-effective option.
xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink is CMYK+W ink, and uses white ink as the basic color that constitutes the background of the film. It is water-based and matches perfectly with xTool Apparel Printer, and works well on a large variety of fabric types. If you are interested in DTF printing, the duo of xTool Apparel Printer and xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink stands as your best option.
For more information, please visit dtg ink.