Direct to film printing (DTF) is a garment print technology that uses a specialized printer to print designs directly onto a transfer film before being heat pressed on apparel. Unlike screen printing, DTF doesn’t require a pre-treatment solution which makes it quicker and more efficient. It also allows the use of a wider range of fabrics like polyester and garment colours that are traditionally difficult to decorate such as blue, green, red, yellow and more.
DTF prints can be applied to a multitude of substrates such as apparel, hard plastics and even wood. They are extremely durable and incredibly detailed, making them ideal for high-volume production. This makes DTF an excellent alternative to other garment printing methods such as DTG and sublimation if you are looking for a high-quality, long-lasting product.
The DTF printing process is actually a very simple one. You take a regular home-style inkjet printer and remove the paper in the tray and replace it with PET or clear vinyl sheets (also known as “film”). You then print your design on the film using the printer’s full color capability and you’re all set!
Once the film has been printed, the next step is to apply hot-melt powder on top of it. The powder works as an adhesive material that binds the colored pigments to the final fabric when it is being heat pressed. It is a white granular material that is applied in an evenly fashion with an automatic powder shaker. Commercial DTF setups also typically use a curing oven to melt the powder and ensure it’s been properly adhered to the film.
If you’re interested in learning more about DTF or want to find out how it can fit into your Silhouette CAMEO world, check out this article that dives into DTF and how to make cut-less, weed-less, full-color transfers for your garments with your CAMEO. We’ll walk you through how to get the most out of your DTF print, and provide some tips and tricks on getting great results every time!
The key to a successful DTF process is finding the right equipment. While there are plenty of cheaper options out there that claim to be able to print DTF, the best results will come from utilising garment printers that have been specifically designed for textile inks and fabrics. GJS’s DTF system utilises either a Brother or Epson direct-to-garment (DTG) printer to create the film transfers. These are specialised machines that have been designed for the demands of garment printing and have the ability to print complex colour gradients.
DTF is an exciting printing method for any business that wants to offer a wide range of clothing, accessories and other products to their customers. Whether you are an established ecommerce store looking for a new way to produce your products or just starting out, this method of printing can help you deliver the highest quality work while remaining affordable and ensuring that your products look their very best. direct to film printing
Direct to Film Printing and Silhouette CAMEO
Direct to film printing (DTF) is a garment print technology that uses a specialized printer to print designs directly onto a transfer film before being heat pressed on apparel. Unlike screen printing, DTF doesn’t require a pre-treatment solution which makes it quicker and more efficient. It also allows the use of a wider range of fabrics like polyester and garment colours that are traditionally difficult to decorate such as blue, green, red, yellow and more.
DTF prints can be applied to a multitude of substrates such as apparel, hard plastics and even wood. They are extremely durable and incredibly detailed, making them ideal for high-volume production. This makes DTF an excellent alternative to other garment printing methods such as DTG and sublimation if you are looking for a high-quality, long-lasting product.
The DTF printing process is actually a very simple one. You take a regular home-style inkjet printer and remove the paper in the tray and replace it with PET or clear vinyl sheets (also known as “film”). You then print your design on the film using the printer’s full color capability and you’re all set!
Once the film has been printed, the next step is to apply hot-melt powder on top of it. The powder works as an adhesive material that binds the colored pigments to the final fabric when it is being heat pressed. It is a white granular material that is applied in an evenly fashion with an automatic powder shaker. Commercial DTF setups also typically use a curing oven to melt the powder and ensure it’s been properly adhered to the film.
If you’re interested in learning more about DTF or want to find out how it can fit into your Silhouette CAMEO world, check out this article that dives into DTF and how to make cut-less, weed-less, full-color transfers for your garments with your CAMEO. We’ll walk you through how to get the most out of your DTF print, and provide some tips and tricks on getting great results every time!
The key to a successful DTF process is finding the right equipment. While there are plenty of cheaper options out there that claim to be able to print DTF, the best results will come from utilising garment printers that have been specifically designed for textile inks and fabrics. GJS’s DTF system utilises either a Brother or Epson direct-to-garment (DTG) printer to create the film transfers. These are specialised machines that have been designed for the demands of garment printing and have the ability to print complex colour gradients.
DTF is an exciting printing method for any business that wants to offer a wide range of clothing, accessories and other products to their customers. Whether you are an established ecommerce store looking for a new way to produce your products or just starting out, this method of printing can help you deliver the highest quality work while remaining affordable and ensuring that your products look their very best. direct to film printing