All About DTF Printing
DTF printing or Direct To Film printing is fairly new when compared to HTV and Screen Printing but this doesn’t change the efficiency of the technique. So what the heck is DTF anyways? Direct To Film transfers are a cutting edge printing technique unlike any other out there. DTF enable the transfers of complex, vivid and vibrant graphics onto a wide variety of fabrics which is why DTF is my ultimate go to when making apparel.
How its done
Your design is printed using special water based inks, special powder adhesive and PET film or Polyethylene Terephthalate (Polyester Film). Then your intricately detailed images are printed on the PET Film, while the ink is still wet a special powder is layered onto, stuck under a heat source to allow the powder to melt and that powder will eventually act as the adhesive. Once the transfers are cooled they are put onto the garment or fabric of choice, pressed with heat and pressure, film is peeled away and your garments are ready to go!
Why choose DTF
There are multiple printing techniques out there so why choose DTF for your companies apparel? I started my business with the idea of making strictly shirts in mind. I bought a sublimation printer and quickly realized how limited I was when it came to making apparel. While sublimation is my ultimate go to for mugs, mousepads, bookmarks and polyester items, I wanted a wider range of available products when it came to apparel. This got me looking into HTV and Screen printing. But while these are tried and tested techniques that have their place, I wanted something long lasting, something I could print full color, complex designs with and that wouldn’t crack and peel after a few washing or rounds in the dryer. That’s when I found DTF printing and have never looked back.
Versatility : DTF can be pressed onto a wide range of fabrics including cotton, polyester, rayon, denim and other heavy duty fabrics, unlike sublimation where the only fabric option is 100% Polyester or high poly blends. Also, with DTF the color options of the fabric are endless. Sublimation requires white or light colors to get the most out of your colors, otherwise the colors are super dull or not even visible.
Another reason DTF is better than any other technique is due to its ability to print unlimited color combinations and super intricate designs, where as screen printing and HTV you’re limited to pretty basic color combos.
Durability: Now this is the main reason I will choose DTF transfers over any other all day long. My partner and I have a painting company and we get sweaty and dirty and need to wash our clothes more than the average Joe. I noticed with the shirts we were ordering that were screen printed, the logo design would fade quickly and with other apparel I have purchased in the past made with vinyl, they would always peel or start to bubble up after a few washes. You don’t have to worry about that with DTF printing. This stuff has yet to crack, peel or fade. It has the durability to withstand any type of job site, even more so than Direct to Garment Printing.
Eco Friendly: DTF printing ink is water based and non-toxic and the PET Film is recyclable making this choice fairly eco friendly with less of a foot print.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for vibrant, durable, long lasting products that are suitable from anything to the construction site to the office workplace than DTF transfers are right for you!
