El DTF

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What is DTF?

What is DTF printing?

The Direct to Film printing consists of printing a design on a special polyester film using high-quality inks, which is then transferred to the fabric using heat and adhesive powder. The result is a durable print with vibrant colors that maintains its original appearance even after numerous washes.

This process breaks the barriers of traditional techniques by allowing printing on any color and type of fabric, whether it’s cotton, polyester, blends, linen, or even dark fabrics. In this way, DTF opens up a range of possibilities for independent designers, custom clothing businesses, or brands that want to offer unique and exclusive products.

Advantages of DTF Printing over Other Techniques

DTF printing brings numerous benefits that position it as a cutting-edge alternative within the textile customization sector:

  1. Versatility of fabrics and colors
    Unlike sublimation, which is limited to fabrics with a high percentage of polyester and light tones, DTF can be applied to any type of fabric (cotton, synthetic blends, polyester, etc.) and in dark or light colors.

  2. Superior image quality
    Designs printed with DTF feature vivid colors, high detail definition, and exceptional wash resistance, providing a premium quality finish.

  3. Lower investment for short runs
    Without the need to prepare screens or film positives, as in screen printing, DTF makes the production of small runs and custom designs cost-effective.

  4. Efficiency and speed
    The printing + transfer process can be carried out in minutes, making it ideal for express customization services or businesses seeking quick response times.

  5. Greater detail in complex designs
    DTF perfectly reproduces images with many colors, gradients, or small details that would be difficult or expensive to achieve with traditional techniques.

How Does DTF Printing Work?

DTF printing is characterized by its simple workflow, which, however, requires precision at each stage to obtain optimal results. Below, we detail its essential steps:

  1. Digital design
    The process begins with preparing the design file in editing software. It is recommended to work with high-resolution images (300 dpi or more) to ensure maximum sharpness and color fidelity.

  2. Printing on the film
    Using specific inks for DTF, the design is printed on a transparent polyester film.

  3. Application of adhesive powder
    Immediately after printing, a special adhesive powder is sprinkled over the printed area. This powder adheres to the still-wet ink, being a fundamental step to ensure proper fixation of the design to the fabric.

  4. Adhesive fusion
    The film with the powder is introduced into a curing oven or tunnel —or, alternatively, heated with an iron— to melt the adhesive and fix it to the design. It is essential to control the temperature and curing time to prevent damaging the print quality.

  5. Transfer to fabric
    Finally, the film is placed on the garment and heat and pressure are applied with a heat press or heat press machine. Once the recommended time is completed, the film is carefully removed, leaving the design perfectly adhered and with a professional finish.

However, our DTF comes ready for application up to step 5. You just need to iron it on!

We do all this process for you and send it ready, to your home and urgently!

Materials and equipment needed

Just a heat press and a computer to prepare the designs! The DTF you can purchase on our website comes already ready and prepared to iron onto any fabric.

Most Common Applications

  • Independent fashion and design: Production of exclusive collections in small quantities or on demand.

  • Sports uniforms: Withstands frequent washing and demanding conditions without losing print quality.

  • Work clothing: High resistance and the possibility of printing full-color logos.

  • Merchandising and personalized gifts: From t-shirts and bags to mugs (as long as the item is suitable for transfer), opening up a wide range of products.

Tips for exceptional results when working with DTF
  • Keep the DTF in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
  • Work with vectors or with the highest quality images possible, otherwise, the result may be compromised. In the case of images, the minimum recommended pixels per inch is 300dpi
  • Work with time, we all make mistakes and have delays. We sometimes do too, so we recommend that you always have some margin
  • Do tests. Sometimes, a material surprises us because the result is perhaps not what we expected. Use a scrap piece and a DTF transfer that you have prepared specifically for this

With these simple steps and the DTF by the meter ready from our website, you will have everything you need to achieve outstanding results in your textile customization projects.

SINGLE SERVICE IMG1 THE DIRECT TO FILM PRINTING CONSISTS OF PRINTING A DESIGN ON A SPECIAL POLYESTER FILM USING HIGH-QUALITY INKS, WHICH IS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE FABRIC USING HEAT AND ADHESIVE POWDER. THE RESULT IS A DURABLE PRINT WITH VIBRANT COLORS THAT MAINTAINS ITS ORIGINAL APPEARANCE EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS WASHES.
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