Technology and Materials Used in DTF Printing
DTF printing is a straightforward process that requires only a few components to begin production. All of these items are available on our website at golawson.com. Here is a list of essential items you will need to get started:
- Digital Printer: Specialized DTF printers print designs onto a special film using vibrant, high-quality CMYK plus white ink sets.
- DTF Film: Designs are printed onto a transparent film, which serves as the transfer medium for the final image.
- Adhesive Powder: After printing, adhesive powder is applied selectively over the inked areas on the film.
- Heat Transfer Machine: The garment and printed film are combined using a heat transfer machine, which melts the adhesive powder, allowing it to adhere firmly to the garment.
The Process of DTF Printing - As Simple as 1, 2, 3
- Printing: DTF printing involves printing a design onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film transfer using water-based inks. These films, approximately 0.75mm thick, offer excellent transfer properties. Unlike other printing methods, DTF prints designs as a mirror image. CMYK colors are applied first, followed by white ink. With multi-head inkjet printers, the CMYK and white print heads operate in a single pass for efficiency.
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Adhesive Application: After printing, adhesive powder is applied to the inked areas on the film using a shaker or by hand. The powder must be applied uniformly to the wet ink and spread across the film. An automatic shaker/powder applicator ensures uniformity, but for individual sheets of DTF film, manual application is more cost-effective and practical.
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Transfer Process: After applying the powder, the film is placed in a curing oven to melt the powder, which typically melts between 284°F and 338°F, depending on various factors. Once melted, the powder becomes an adhesive that bonds the design to the garment. A heat press can be used instead of a curing oven, provided a ⅛”–¼” gap is maintained between the film and the heat press’s top plate to avoid direct contact. Our Lawson hover presses or Stahls’ Hotronix Hover Presses are ideal for this task. Once the powder is melted, apply the transfer to the garment and press. For Lawson’s premium hot peel film and powder, heat press at approximately 280°F for 12 seconds with medium to heavy pressure, peeling immediately after.
The Advantages of DTF Printing vs. Traditional Screen Printing
Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing is an innovative solution in garment printing, offering several advantages over traditional screen printing. Here are some key benefits:
- Versatility in Design: DTF printing offers unparalleled design flexibility, enabling the reproduction of intricate, full-color designs with fine details that are challenging to achieve with traditional screen printing. This versatility allows creators to produce vibrant, multi-colored artwork with sharp precision, meeting diverse consumer demands.
- Superior Detail Reproduction: DTF printing excels at reproducing intricate details and color gradients with exceptional precision. Its digital process supports high-resolution printing, capturing nuances and subtleties that traditional screen printing may struggle to replicate accurately.
- Reduced Setup Time and Costs: DTF printing minimizes setup time and costs compared to traditional screen printing, which requires creating separate screens for each design. As a digital process, DTF eliminates screen preparation, significantly reducing setup time and overall production costs.
- Faster Turnaround Times: With its streamlined digital workflow and reduced setup requirements, DTF printing offers faster turnaround times. This efficiency is ideal for businesses catering to clients with time-sensitive demands, enabling quicker production and delivery of customized products.
Conclusion:
The digital technologies used in DTF printing ensure precise color matching and consistency across multiple print runs. This reliability enhances brand consistency and customer satisfaction, making DTF printing an excellent choice for high-quality garment customization.