What is DTF printing and why is it popular
What is DTF printing or DTF print transfers and why is it so popular? DTF is direct to film printing. DTF printers use professional textile inks that are specially created to bind to fabrics. DTF Printers can print with white ink unlike Sublimation printers. DTF transfers can go on a wide variety of shirts, hoodies, hats, shorts, pants, bags, flags, banners, koozies and many more. There is a wide variety of options that DTF prints can be used on. The process for DTF prints is to print the designed art work with the DTF printer out on pet film. This printed design is then covered with adhesive powder and baked to give it an orange like peel look and feel. This is what allows the DTF print to be pressed and adhere to the garment or item you are putting the DTF Print on.
The difference between DTF prints transfers and HTV is that there is no need for weeding or having to use multiple layers of heat transfer vinyl to create your design. With HTV you have to have a cutting machine like Cricut or Silhouette. Once your design is cut on each color you then have to weed and remove the parts of the design you don’t want on your shirt. This can be very time consuming for intricate details in designs. With DTF prints, once its printed you just press the DTF print for 15 seconds and pull off the film, do your finishing press for an addition 10-15 seconds and then you are ready to go.
The difference between DTF print transfers and sublimination is that with sublimation you are restricted to a high polyester count. The sublimation turns to gas will in the heat press and adheres to the polyester on the shirt. The higher the polyester count the more vivid your design color, the lower the polyester count the more faded your colors on your design will be. With sublimination you must press your item for 45-60 seconds and you have to tape your artwork down to ensure it doesn’t move so you don’t get ghosting. You also must ensure to use parchment paper between the front and back of the shirt to prevent bleeding through onto the back. With DTF transfers, you don’t have to worry about any bleed through and your turn around time on your products are much faster.
All in all, DTF prints are a quick easy and affordable way to make many items with a quick production time for your custom shirt.
The difference between DTF prints transfers and HTV is that there is no need for weeding or having to use multiple layers of heat transfer vinyl to create your design. With HTV you have to have a cutting machine like Cricut or Silhouette. Once your design is cut on each color you then have to weed and remove the parts of the design you don’t want on your shirt. This can be very time consuming for intricate details in designs. With DTF prints, once its printed you just press the DTF print for 15 seconds and pull off the film, do your finishing press for an addition 10-15 seconds and then you are ready to go.
The difference between DTF print transfers and sublimination is that with sublimation you are restricted to a high polyester count. The sublimation turns to gas will in the heat press and adheres to the polyester on the shirt. The higher the polyester count the more vivid your design color, the lower the polyester count the more faded your colors on your design will be. With sublimination you must press your item for 45-60 seconds and you have to tape your artwork down to ensure it doesn’t move so you don’t get ghosting. You also must ensure to use parchment paper between the front and back of the shirt to prevent bleeding through onto the back. With DTF transfers, you don’t have to worry about any bleed through and your turn around time on your products are much faster.
All in all, DTF prints are a quick easy and affordable way to make many items with a quick production time for your custom shirt.