DTF printing explained simply – a guide for beginners
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What is DTF? A complete guide for beginners.
Have you come across the term "DTF" and are wondering what this printing process is that is currently revolutionizing the textile industry? Whether for your startup, your club, or simply for personalized gifts – DTF printing opens up new possibilities.
In this complete guide for beginners, we explain simply and understandably what DTF is, how it works , and what advantages it has over other methods.
What is DTF? A simple definition
DTF stands for "Direct to Film." In simpler terms: A special inkjet printer prints a design in reverse onto a special PET film. Then, a thermoplastic adhesive powder (called "hot melt powder") is applied to the still-wet ink. After drying and melting, the film with the design can be heat-pressed onto almost any textile using a heat press.
The biggest advantage? You can use it to print not only on cotton, but also on dark textiles and even on blended fabrics like polyester with excellent results!
This is how DTF printing works: step by step
The process can be divided into six basic steps:
- Design creation: Your design will be created or prepared on the computer (e.g., in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator).
- Printing onto the foil: A DTF-capable printer prints the design in reverse onto the special transfer foil.
- Applying the powder: Before the ink dries, the whitish hot melt powder is evenly applied to the entire printed surface. Excess powder is vacuumed off.
- Drying and fixing: The printed and powdered film passes through a hot air tunnel (oven). Here, the powder melts and bonds firmly with the ink and the film.
- Transfer pressing: The dried foil is placed on the textile (e.g. a T-shirt) and firmly stamped onto it with a heat press (transfer press) under heat and pressure for a few seconds.
- Removing the film (the "peeling"): After a short cooling phase, the film is peeled off. What remains is a soft, flexible and extremely durable print on the fabric.
DTF vs. DTG vs. Flex film: The differences at a glance
| feature | DTF (Direct to Film) | DTG (Direct to Garment) | Flex film |
|---|---|---|---|
| On dark textiles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Requires a surface) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| On light-colored textiles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent | ❌ Iron-on transfer only |
| Material variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Cotton, Polyester, Blended Fabrics) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Best on cotton) | ⭐⭐ (Mostly just cotton) |
| Hand feel | Soft and flexible | Very soft (as printed) | A noticeably more impactful film |
| Costs (entry-level) | Medium investment | Higher investment | Low investment |
The conclusion of the comparison: DTF combines the strengths of the other processes. It is more versatile than DTG and offers a better feel than flex films. Click here for our offer!