If you want to print custom designs onto clothing, you can choose from many methods, and sometimes it can be tough to know which is best for you. DTF printing offers an affordable option that produces bold, long-lasting designs. Here is a helpful guide breaking down the process and its advantages.
In printing, DTF stands for direct-to-film. It prints a design directly onto a piece of film that you can then use to transfer to a garment. Unlike direct-to-garment printing, DTF printing can be used on multiple fabric types, making it incredibly versatile.
There is a variety of necessary equipment that can be expensive to purchase. Without them, you cannot produce the film and transfer the design. By entrusting a professional printing company, they will already have:
A DTF printer allows you to print onto the PET film required to transfer your design onto your garment. They come with additional tanks for DTF inks.
PET film is specifically used for DTF printing. It is 0.75 mm thick and has better properties for transferring designs onto garments than screen printing films.
There are two different types of film: cold peel and hot peel. We will be using cold peel film today.
These inks have unique pigments that bind onto the fabric fibres of various materials, such as cotton or polyester. They are available in white, cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
Choosing the right software is crucial. To handle the CMYK and white colours and the DTF ink, you need Raster Image Processing (RIP) software.
The hot-melt powder is our adhesive to stick a design to a garment. It helps the ink bind to the fabric’s fibres, creating a lasting, hard-wearing image.
A curing oven is an industrial oven required to melt the hot-melt powder onto your PET film.
Heat press machines are used in multiple printing methods to transfer the design onto fabric. If you do not have access to a curing oven, you can use it to melt the hot-melt powder.
DTF printing requires specialist knowledge as the process can be challenging. Read our simplified breakdown:
1. PREPARE YOUR PRINTER AND IMAGE
Typically, when printing a design onto a garment, you would load your printing paper into your printer’s paper tray. With DTF printing, you need to use PET film instead, as well as DTF ink.
As the design will be transferred from the film onto your garment, you must reverse the image before printing. Most RIP software will allow you to reflect your design. Always double-check; you can easily print the wrong way.
2. PRINT YOUR DESIGN ONTO FILM
With your printer loaded with PET film and your reversed design, start by printing it in white. Then, after choosing the appropriate colour setting, print the design in colour over the top of the white image.
Apply the hot-melt powder to the film whilst the ink is still wet. The best way to evenly spread the powder across the design is by holding the design landscape and pouring the powder in the middle of the film, moving from the top to the bottom to form a 1-inch thick heap. Then, pick up either edge of the film, bend it into a slight U and gently rock it so that the powder spreads uniformly. Remove any excess powder afterwards.
Heat-melt powder, as you might expect, melts when exposed to heat. Every manufacturer has a different heat requirement to melt the powder, so it is always best practice to use their guidelines. Usually, you need to place the design in a curing oven for between 2 and 5 minutes at around 160°C and 170°C.
Pre-pressing is essential for transferring the design to the fabric as it flattens and dehumidifies the material. Place your garment in the heat press and pressurise for 2 to 5 seconds at 160°C and 170°C.
Whilst your garment is in the heat press, carefully place your film, with the powder side down, on the garment. Then, press down the head for 15 to 20 seconds and firmly adhere the film to the fabric. Leave the garment to cool down to room temperature.
When the garment has cooled down, the hot-melt powder will hold the coloured pigment in the inks and keep it adhered to the fabric’s fibres. You can now peel off the film, leaving the design behind.
8. POST-PRESS THE GARMENT
A post-process is not strictly necessary but is highly recommended for garment longevity. After all, you don’t want all your hard work to come out in the wash. Simply press for another 10-15 seconds, and then enjoy your custom clothing.
PROS AND CONS OF DTF PRINTING
As with any printing method, you should consider various advantages and disadvantages. Here are some things to bear in mind:
- It can be used to print onto a variety of different fabrics
- The garment does not require pretreatment
- The designs are wash resistant
- The process is quicker than other methods
- The printing area is more visible than with subliminal printing
- The colours are less vibrant than with subliminal printing
DTF VS DTG VS WHITE TONE PRINTING
DTF printing is often compared with direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, but they have different advantages. With DTG printing, the ink sinks directly into the fabric, meaning the design has a finer finish with pronounced, intense whites. However, DTF printing is more affordable and offers vibrant colours with elastic inks that rarely crack.
Compared to white-tone printing, it is far cheaper, takes less time and produces designs with increased wear resistance. On the other hand, white-tone printing can be used on more objects, including rigid items, and offers bolder whites.
LET US PERSONALISE YOUR GARMENTS
If you want the benefits of custom clothing without the complex DTF printing process, we are here to help. We have over 30 years of experience creating custom clothing and are immensely proud to have DTF printers and facilities available for our customers.
We pair our knowledge and cutting-edge technology with an extensive catalogue to create ideal clothing for any situation. It includes a combination of name-brand and affordable options to suit your budget.
If you want to create new sports kits, hoodies, t-shirts or any other custom-printed clothing item, request a free quote online today. Alternatively, you can contact our in-house graphic designers and print technicians to ask any questions.
CAN I USE A REGULAR PRINTER TO PRINT DTF?
For DTF printing, you need a printer that can use specific DTF inks.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I WASH A DTF-PRINTED GARMENT?
If you wash your DTF-printed garments safely, the design should last as long as the garment. Choose a colder wash temperature between 30oC and 40oC and a medium spin speed. Then, look to wash them on a short cycle for between half an hour and an hour.
WHAT SOFTWARE CAN I USE TO CREATE DESIGNS FOR DTF PRINTING?
You need a specific Raster Image Processing (RIP) software that can handle white and CMYK colours for DTF printing.
ARE DTF-PRINTED DESIGNS PERMANENT?
Typically, DTF-printed designs should last for the garment’s lifespan, especially if you post-press for additional wash resistance.
