What is DTF printing?

There are two types of printing commonly referred to as DTF

• Direct-To-Film
• Direct-To-Fabric

In this article we will discuss only Direct-To-Film because this is the latest technology and one that has turned the traditional heat transfer printing industry on its head.

First a little history:   Up until just 3 or so years ago, heat transfers for garments were made by printing onto white vinyl or polyurethane film.

This was accomplished using solvent print & cut machines.   Print & Cut works very well indeed but is quite slow and is labour intensive.  So much so that there are some jobs that are cost prohibitive.

Print & Cut step-by-step

• Import the image into a graphics program and create contour cut lines.
• Import the image into the printer's software.
• Print the logos.
• Contour cut around each logo (an automatic function of the printer).
• Remove the printed sheet and Weed (manually remove all unprinted areas of film).
• Apply a clear transfer film on top of the printed logos.
• Cut sheet into separate logos and heat press onto garments.

Why is DTF so much faster and cheaper to produce?

The short version is:  Fully automatic DTF print systems have eliminated most of the slow, laborious and costly procedures that were/are required with print and cut transfers. 

However, some makes / models of DTF  printers (sheet printers) do still require some work for application of adhesive powder and heat finishing prior to application to the garments.

DTF Benefits

• No cut lines needed in the art-work
• No production time lost for contour cutting
• No weeding time because there is no white back-ground film to remove
• No need for application of transfer film as DTF already have a transfer film

A DTF printer prints directly onto a clear, coated film.  The images are printed on the reverse side of the film and so the colour layer prints first, then the white (background layer prints on top).

The printed film then passes through the "shaker" where a very fine adhesive powder is sprinkled onto the semi-dry ink.  After that the film passes over a beater-bar which vibrates the film to shake off any powder from the un-printed areas.

Finally the film passes through a heat tunnel where the ink is cured and the adhesive powder is melted.