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Direct-to-film transfers are digitally printed transfers that offer vibrant, multi-color designs and can be applied to a wide variety of substrates. The transfers are printed first onto PET film with a DTF printer. Then, the decorator applies the transfer to a product like a hat, tote bag, T-shirt, or sports jersey. The transfer is applied using adhesive powder and heat.
To explore the benefits of DTF transfers, we talked with Mark Heise, owner of Yellow Springer Tees and Promotions. Heise’s shop offers DTF transfers, and he’s had good luck with the technology. Heise shared a few key benefits to the product that he’s noticed.
It’s durable. One major benefit he points to is the durability of the prints with DTF transfers. Heise says he’s printed onto polyester, cotton, cotton/poly blends, and even tri-blends, and they’ve all held up to wash tests.
“My daughter and I consistently play tug of war with the design when we’re showing customers,” he says. “It doesn’t split, crack, or peel.”
So, unlike screen printing or DTG, the fibers will not push through the print if a fabric is pulled and stretched.
Less printer head clogs. “DTF inks are virtually the same, glycol-based, water-soluble pigment inks as DTG,” says Heise.
That said, he points out that DTF inks are runnier, but “you’ll have fewer problems with head clogs.”
Easier maintenance. With larger DTF systems, printers aren’t working in a tight space, making routine maintenance less challenging. “It’s like working under the hood of a semi versus a compact car,” Heise says. “It’s easy to get in and clean things.”
Plus, he points out that most DTF systems use OEM print heads, so it’s not a proprietary technology where it’s hard to find replacement parts.
More product offerings. DTF transfers are versatile for apparel and work with cotton, 100% polyester, and cotton/poly blends.
They’re also an excellent option for dozens of other products, such as textured crowlers, water bottles, and hats.
“I just did a whole run of 150 insulated backpacks for a local park,” says Heise. “As long as you can heat it, you can press DTF onto it.”
No pretreatment. Unlike DTG, you don’t need to pretreat garments for DTF transfers, which cuts down the number of steps required to finish the printed apparel or product.
However, there are still some extra steps to preparing the transfer before applying it to your substrate. More on that later.
Extensive color options. DTF transfers work well with both light and dark-colored garments, making them perfect for sportswear and athleisure.
Speaking of color, the transfers can be used for vibrant, multicolor designs not available on traditional heat transfers.
This makes DTF transfers a great alternative for the screen printing shop that doesn’t want to turn down that multi-color job that would be way too labor intensive on press but wants to retain the customer.
There are a few key steps involved in transferring the image from the printer to the finished product:
1. Create/prepare the artwork. You’ll want to use a RIP software program with DTF transfer capability and get the ICC profile from the ink manufacturer. This will ensure that the color quality is optimized for the final product.
2. Print the image. After the art is created, the image is printed onto the PET film. You’ll need a DTF printer to print the films. Several models on the market range from smaller desktop models to larger industrial printers for widths up to 24 inches. If you’re a bit more technologically inclined, it’s also possible to modify some DTG printers into a DTF printer.
3. Add adhesive powder. Once the film comes off the printer, the user sprinkles a heat-melt powder over the transfer. This method is done either by hand with a shaker or automated with a machine.
4. Apply heat. With the powder on the film’s surface, the user transfers the film to a heat press. Unlike a traditional heat transfer, this step is different. Instead of closing the press fully, the top platen must hover over the powder and the transfer instead of clamping down. The time and temperature will vary depending on the manufacturer, so you’ll want to check with your supplier.
5. Remove transfer. For this transfer process, some manufacturers, like Polyprint, recommend a cold peel process (waiting until the film adhered to the shirt has cooled down) to peel the film off the fabric.
If you’re a high-volume shop screen printing shirts and hats, it’s probably not as feasible when a customer drops in for those small-scale orders of 10-12 prints. You certainly don’t want to turn customers away.
Still, it’s not always as profitable to set up and print that order for the family reunion T-shirts as it would be for the corporate client who wants 150 shirts for the company’s next company softball event.
DTF transfers offer a simple solution for those one-off orders so you can still take care of your smaller-volume customers without it being a hindrance to your bottom line and labor costs.
Suppose you’re in the crafting business in e-commerce marketplaces like Etsy. In that case, DTF transfers are also an economical way to run special-edition printed goods to your store. And, you can test out different designs without having to run a large quantity to make sure the product will sell.
“For the most popular designs in our InkSoft stores, I’ll throw those designs in when I’m doing a print run,” says Heise. “That way, I can cut them up, stockpile them, and store them for future orders.”
If bringing DTF onto your production line full-time isn’t feasible, or you’re just curious about experimenting before making the investment in equipment, you can also order pre-printed transfers from companies like Supacolor.
Ordering pre-printed transfers is a great way to get started with DTF since it cuts down on the time you’d normally have to budget for training and production. And it’s a simpler way to determine if it’s a profitable service worth offering to your customers.
If you need real-world insight into how effective DTF transfers are, check out Yellow Springer Tees & Promotions’ website. Heise says he’s been printing hundreds of shirts a day since adding DTF printing to his shop’s services.
Heise offers DTG printing, but he says the business needed another solution for printing small-run orders, particularly a printing method that worked with his customers’ garment types.
“We needed something that would allow us to print on 100 percent polyester,” Heise explains. “My main verticals are non-profits and adventure sports, so polyester was important for us.”
He points out that the shop used sublimation for some polyester prints, but even that technology has its limitations.
“With sublimation, you can’t press anything lighter than the substrate,” Heise adds. “And, sometimes, you have problems with discoloration with colors like reds, yellows, and neon green.”
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Part of his goal was to find a technology that offered multicolor prints and a wider variety of fabrics. Soon, Heise found precisely what he was looking for.
Heise kept searching for other options to offer customers multicolor print jobs. In late , he started exploring direct-to-film transfer technology. After testing the transfers out on a few different garments, Heise says he was ready to make the jump. Now, DTF transfers are a regular service for the shop. The results, he says, are impressive.
“Every one of my customers, including large parks and rec organizations, love this stuff, and they’re amazed at the results we can get out of it,” he says. “I can print as many colors as I want, and it’s not going to affect the price.”
Heise also points to a job he did for the local fire chief, who initially requested embroidered shirts. The chief soon found out the lettering was way too small for a stitched logo. Heise instead offered DTF transfers, a much better fit for the design.
“He loved them, and his compatriots at their event loved it too,” Heise says. Other attendees had embroidered shirts and commented that the chief’s logo was much crisper and cleaner.
While the technology’s learning curve isn’t too steep, Heise says it’s possible to divide and conquer. He runs the printer at his shop and then has other workers cut and press transfers that require less training.
Have you had success pairing direct-to-film transfers with your InkSoft stores? Contact us to tell us your story.
Heise says that since the shop brought on DTF transfers, Yellow Springer has seen impressive growth and promise for the future. The DTF transfer orders bring in enough revenue to more than triple the equipment lease payments.
He says his typical production with DTG was 12 shirts an hour, and with DTF, he can now print 36 shirts an hour, front and back.
The shop also has taken its team sports game to the next level with DTF transfers. He says he no longer needs to feed in team names and numbers like he did with traditional heat transfers with this process.
“I can still use name-drop features in the software to generate names and numbers,” he explains. “The nice thing is now I can take and drop them all onto the screen, then tell the program to nest them.”
“The amount of time it’s saving us is unreal,” Heise says. “I have more time to get out and get more business.”
The DTF printer has revolutionized the print industry, offering a game-changing technology for businesses that need to print in color, on textiles, or on other unique materials. Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, a DTF printer can uplift your printing capabilities and open a new world of possibilities. But what are the reasons that make DTF printers an excellent investment for your business?
In this blog, we will explore the top 10 reasons why a DTF printer can benefit your business, from versatile applications and long-lasting results, to increased efficiency and cost savings. Read on to discover how the use of DTF transfer printers can elevate your printing business to the next level.
Direct to film printers exhibit unparalleled versatility, a trait that sets them distinctively apart in the printing industry. This versatility allows businesses to print on an expansive range of materials, not limited to common ones like vinyl and paper. In fact, DTF printers can tackle more specialized materials like card stock, fabrics, ceramics, and even certain types of metal. This wide-ranging capability is a game-changer for businesses seeking to diversify their product offerings.
For instance, the ability to print on fabrics opens up possibilities in the apparel industry, while printing on ceramics or metals can create unique merchandise or promotional items. So, whether a business needs to print marketing flyers on card stock, design custom t shirts, polos, sweatshirts or produce original merchandise, a DTF printer can handle it all.
One of the compelling advantages of direct to film printers is the superior quality of prints they produce compared to other printing methods. The process employed by DTF printers involves printing directly onto a film, which is then transferred onto the desired surface. This technique results in sharp, highly detailed, and vibrant prints that are aesthetically pleasing and professional.
The inks used in DTF printers are specifically designed to offer a wider color range, ensuring more accurate color reproduction and finer gradations. Furthermore, the DTF printing method eliminates the potential quality degradation that can occur when printing onto transfer paper first, making it a preferable choice for businesses aiming for high quality transfers.
In contrast to other printing technologies like screen printing and DTG, which necessitate physically carrying the garment to the printer, the productivity of DTF printers is determined by the number of garment holding stations available.
This influences the rate of producing finished products. Many DTF printers are equipped with double print head technology, enhancing the print speed and overall machine output. A practical illustration of this is if you’re printing left chest logos—within a mere span of 10 seconds, you can generate 8-10 replicas of a single logo on a DTF gang sheet.
DTF prints are renowned for their durability. The transfer mechanism ensures a strong attachment of the print to the underlying material, minimizing the possibility of fracture or flaking. Furthermore, the inks designed specifically for DTF printing possess a unique resistance to usual wear and tear. This resilience allows the prints to endure multiple wash cycles, all while maintaining their bright hues and crisp definition.
A standout benefit of DTF technology lies in its impressive capacity for large format printing. Contrary to many conventional printing methods which might restrict the size of the printing substrate, DTF technology shatters these limitations. It boasts the capability to accommodate an expansive printing area of up to 22 inches in width, with no restriction whatsoever on the length. From expansive banners and posters to full-length clothing items and textiles, the substantial print area offered by direct to film printers allows businesses to push the boundaries of their creative capabilities and deliver impactful, substantial print productions. This wide-format printing capacity is an invaluable asset for businesses that require a reliable solution for large scale, high-quality prints.
A key aspect that underlines the revolutionary nature of Direct to Film transfer printing is its remarkably straightforward application process. This process is devoid of the usual complexities seen in other printing methods, thus making DTF an attractive option for many businesses. Essentially, all that’s needed is a heat press, and you’re set to start applying.
The heat press is instrumental in the DTF printing process. It is used to transfer the design from the film to the desired fabric or material. This simplicity stands in stark contrast to other printing methods that might require an assortment of tools or machinery. Consequently, initial setup costs are significantly lowered, rendering DTF printing an accessible option for businesses of all sizes. Moreover, the ease of application doesn’t compromise the end-result in any way. You’re still able to produce high-quality, vibrant, and durable prints using this method. Therefore, the straightforward application process of DTF printing not only facilitates ease of operation but also empowers businesses to deliver professional-grade prints with minimal effort.
Many businesses are transitioning from traditional screen printing to direct to film printers due to their numerous benefits. First, DTF eliminates the need for a gas or electric dryer to cure the ink, simplifying the process. Second, unlike screen printing, DTF printing is a digital process and does not require a dark room for setup. Furthermore, it avoids the messy cleanup associated with screen printing. Full-color prints are achievable without restrictions, and there is no need for screen burning, registration, or color separation. Lastly, the risk of garment waste due to misregistration or broken screens is eliminated as everything is digital. Therefore, for a more efficient and effective printing solution, DTF is the preferred choice.
Direct to film printing presents an eco-friendly alternative in the printing sector. In contrast to conventional printing methods that typically produce substantial waste—due to the necessity of multiple screens that demand considerable energy and water for cleaning—DTF printing operates on a direct-to-garment procedure that necessitates only a minimal setup and subsequently results in minimal waste. Additionally, the use of water-soluble ink in DTF printing further bolsters its environmental credentials.
Direct to garment (DTG) printing involves a process where the shirt must first be pre-treated with specific chemicals. This pre-treatment is essential to ensure the ink adheres properly to the fabric during the printing process. After the application of the chemicals, the shirt is subsequently wetted before it undergoes the actual printing process. This sequence of preprinting steps might seem trivial but can significantly affect the workflow efficiency, particularly when dealing with large orders. It essentially increases the time taken for each print and demands additional resources, both in terms of chemicals and manpower.
In stark contrast, direct to film printing eliminates the need for this complex pre-printing process. With DTF prints, there’s no requirement for chemical pre-treatment or wetting of the fabric, which means your printing process becomes less time-consuming and more streamlined. This simplicity, in turn, translates into faster turnaround times, reduced labor costs, and increased productivity. It’s an advantage that is particularly significant for businesses handling high-volume orders, as it allows them to meet customer demands more efficiently and effectively.
DTF printers not only save valuable time but are also more financially viable compared to other printing methods. This cost-effectiveness is primarily due to the lower costs associated with the film used by DTF printers.
The film used in DTF printers offers an economical solution without compromising the quality of prints, making it a smart investment for businesses. By reducing overhead costs, DTF printers enable enterprises to allocate resources more efficiently, contributing to overall business profitability.
To kickstart a direct to film transfer printing business, you’ll need a handful of specialized equipment and supplies. A primary requirement is a DTF printer or an alternative printer that accommodates DTF-specific inks. Additionally, you’ll need to procure DTF transfer films that are compatible with both your chosen printer and the material you intend to print on. A crucial part of this operation is the heat press machine and DTF powder adhesive, which must be capable of generating the right temperature and pressure for the flawless transference of the design onto your product. Once you have these key items, you’re all set to get your DTF transfer printing business off the ground.
Unlike other printers that use traditional ink, DTF printers use a specialized ink that is a hybrid between dye and pigment inks, known as DTF ink. Direct to film printers employ innovative technology to produce transfers. The process starts with the printing of specially developed inks, beginning with color followed by a white ink base. Subsequently, the printed material is passed through a machine which sprinkles hot melt adhesive powder onto it. This powder attaches itself to the DTF ink of the print and chemically bonds to the transfer sheet. Thanks to this innovative technology, DTF printing offers brilliant digital transfer sheets that produce high-quality prints with vibrant colors that are perfect for any print business.
If you’re not ready to take the leap and purchase your own supplies for direct to film printing, we can deliver DTF transfers to you! We are steadfast in our belief that speed should never compromise quality. Our transfers, when correctly applied, are renowned for their enduring quality, surpassing all other printing methodologies, even outlasting direct screen printing.
We empathize with the myriad of challenges that come with running a print shop – managing customers, orchestrating artwork, grappling with inventory shortages, and meeting tight deadlines. Our goal is to lighten your load, not pile on more stress. We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with our brilliant DTF process – and if for any reason our prints fall short of your expectations, we are determined to rectify the situation. We take immense pride in our work and unequivocally stand behind it.
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