DTF printing is the latest – and most popular – addition to the world of garment personalisation. It’s a quick and affordable method to create full-color, high-definition designs on dark or colored fabrics, especially polyester. It’s also suitable for use on cotton-based textile products and can be used alongside other print methods such as dye sublimation.
DTF, which stands for Direct-to-Film, is a relatively new printing technique for t-shirt printing. It works by using an inkjet printer to print the design directly onto a film. Then the film is subsequently transferred to a fabric using heat and pressure. The resulting transfer is a durable and long-lasting decoration that can be applied to both light and dark fabrics. It is also highly wash-resistant, making it an ideal choice for high-quality and durable clothing.
Unlike screen printing, which requires a lot of expensive equipment and can be labor-intensive, dtf printing is relatively inexpensive and easy to set up. This makes it a great option for new or small business owners who want to offer their services to customers without investing in all the equipment and training that would otherwise be required with other types of printing. The low-starting investment is also a plus for established businesses that are looking to expand their offering or increase their efficiency.
In order to start dtf printing, the first step is to purchase a DTF printer and a roll of transfer film. These are available at a reasonable price online. DTF printers are typically modified versions of regular inkjet printers that have 6 colors instead of the standard CMYK ink tanks. This change allows them to print a white layer that completely covers the underlying color on the PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, film.
Once the DTF printer has printed the desired design on the PET film, it then needs to be coated with hot melt powder. The powder is evenly distributed across the surface of the image that has been printed on the film. Then, the film is placed into a heat press where it’s heated for about 15 seconds. This heat causes the powder to melt, allowing the inks on the film to bind with the fibers of the fabric. This ensures that the image will be long-lasting and will not peel or crack.
After the printing has been done, it is important to allow the image to cool down before cutting it. This is to avoid any warping or distortion that could occur after the print has been cut. Once the image is ready to be used, it can be applied to a t-shirt or other apparel item using a heat press. This is a simple process that can be performed in the same manner as applying a vinyl sticker, and takes about 5 to 10 minutes. After the t-shirt is applied, it should be washed to make sure that the print stays strong and intact. dtf printing