DTF printing is gaining more and more popularity within the textile industry and becoming a common printing practise amongst businesses alike. A relatively new printing process, DTF printing is cost-effective and breaks the limitations of colour and fabrics. So, what is DTF printing? In this article gain an understanding of the printing process, learn the benefits of DTF printing and discover how choosing DTF can enhance and expand your textile business.
DTF stands for Direct to Film. As the name suggests, the technique involves printing your designs directly onto DTF film and then covering it with a hot melt thermo-adhesive powder. The powder is then cured using a heat source such as a heat gun, heat press or convection oven. The design is then transferred onto the garment using a heat press.
Since DTF printing consists of very little steps and pre-treatment is non-essential, the effort required for the printing process is minimum. It is a much quicker printing solution in comparison to other printing processes such as DTG (Direct to Garment) printing.
Direct to Film transfers have excellent colour accuracy and detail, the prints are smooth and elastic which ensures longevity. Highly durable, DTF prints are resistant to cracking and can handle heavy use and cold to lukewarm washes without the colour fading. As the ink sits on top of the fabric and does not soak through, DTF provides a high level of accuracy with an exact replication of the original design. It is the perfect printing method for producing high-quality prints of photographs, fine art and graphics.
Unlike other printing processes such as sublimation printing, DTF printing involves white ink. This means you can offer vibrant transfers onto any coloured garment. DTF allows you to transfer your designs onto a huge range of materials, including cotton, polyester, canvas, leather and denim. With the ability to print onto both light and dark garments and a wide range of fabrics, DTF printing opens exciting opportunities to expand your product range, enhancing your business.
The DTF process practically lifts all restrictions that are commonly encountered in other textile printing processes. Since pre-treatment is not essential, the overall cost of printing is brought down, offering a higher profit margin. The textile printing industry is predicted to see massive growth as more and more fabrics manufactured by DTF will come into the picture. In conclusion, the DTF printing process can be thought of as an effective way to produce fabrics economically.
If you’re looking for a low production cost and the flexibility to print onto a range of fabrics of any colour, then DTF printing is the solution for you.
To learn more about Direct to Film printing, visit our DTF printing process guide here. For any questions regarding DTF or alternative printing processes, visit our support page here, or contact us direct at info@inkexpress.co.uk
