DTF (Direct to Film) printing has gained immense popularity in a short period. It maximizes your ability to create vibrant designs for various purposes quickly and substrates. Thus, you can make personalized merchandise or even start a profitable print business.
However, if you aren’t aware of the right technique of DTF printing, you will encounter various issues related to print quality. In this post, we’ll explain exactly how to perform DTF printing for flawless and bright designs on the fabric.
How to Print DTF Transfers at Home? Stepwise Process
Direct-to-film printing involves printing designs on special films and transferring them to garments through the heat process. The DTF transfers can be printed on various fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, and blends. Here is a stepwise process for printing using a DTF film.
1. Choose an Inkjet Printer
DTF printing with Inkjet printer gives you the most ideal results. The printers produce high-quality, sharp, detailed prints on the DTF transfer film in different colors. Thus, you can transfer crisp designs on a wide range of fabrics. Epson EcoTank Series Printers are good for loading and handling DTF inks.
If you use Ultranex DTF transfer film, you don’t need to worry about its compatibility with the printer. Our proprietary heat transfer films support various printers.
2. Install a Design Software for DTF Printing
Eye catchy and high-quality DTF prints are a result of using the right design software. Some popular options include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Affinity Designer
- GIMP
- Canva
3. Design Preparation
Use graphic design software to build your design. It should have a high resolution (300 dpi or above)and be inverted or mirrored. You can create any kind of design using the design software according to your needs. The design should have a clear background.
4. Print on the Film
Load the design into RIP software and print it onto a PET film using a DTF printer. DTF printing typically requires a specific print profile. ICC color profiles allow for accurate and consistent printing of color. These profiles are files that have data that characterizes the types of colors in a printer, ink, and film combination.
The printer should have a straight-through paper path to prevent bending or curling. Print the entire image with a white bottom layer, then add the desired colors.
5. Spread the Adhesive Powder
Hot melt adhesive powder should be evenly spread over the wet ink on the film. Make it cover the surface uniformly so it integrates or binds the design to the fabric. You may find the adhesive powder sticking during summer when humidity is below 60%. Use a humidifier to boost the humidity.
If the film generates static during printing or handling, it can also make the adhesive powder stick to the entire surface. This is why our Ultranex DTF transfer films have antistatic coating. They minimize the static electricity build-up and ensure the design sticks to the substrate.
6. Melt or Cure the Powder
Melt the powder on the film using a curing oven or a heat press. If using a heat press, position the film close to the top plate without touching it. The film is heated for 2 to 5 minutes at 160 to 180 degrees Celsius. For best results, a medium wave IR lamp heater in the shaker is recommended as they are noncolor sensitive.
After adequate heating, printed ink forms a temporary strong adhesion to the DTF film. When fine text is printed and cured, the hold should be good with the film, or there is a chance that small letters may fall or peel off.
7. Pre-press the Fabric and Transfer Heat
Pre-press the fabric for 2 to 5 seconds to remove any moisture before progressing to heat transfer. Now, keep the PET film with the image and melted powder onto the fabric and use a heat press to ensure strong adhesion between the film and your garment. Cure it at 160 to 170 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 seconds.
8. Post-Press the Fabric and Peel Off
You can post-press the transfers with more heat before peeling them off. Protect your garment with a Teflon sheet to eliminate the risk of scorching. No glue should adhere to the fabric.
Troubleshoot Common DTF Print Transfer Problems
Some common DTF print transfer problems that prevent the best quality output are:
- Registration issues in colors.
- Ink flow while printing.
- Adhesive powder sticking on the non-printed area.
- Oil on finished DTF Labels.
- DTF Label Non-Transfer
- Check out this video and learn how to fix these issues.
How To Make DTF Prints More Vibrant?
To make DTF prints more vibrant, focus on color settings, using the right glossy DTF film and quality ink. You should also maintain your printer regularly to ensure good print output. Also, DTF transfers are the most vibrant on cotton, polyester, or a blend of these fabrics. Use these points to maximize the vibrance of your DTF prints.
Optimize Color Settings
- Color Profiles: Ensure your design software uses appropriate color profiles to maintain color accuracy.
- Monitor Calibration: Regularly calibrate your monitor to display true colors, aiding in accurate design creation.
Prepare High-Quality Designs
- Resolution: Use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) to prevent pixelation and maintain sharpness.
- Color Saturation: Enhance color saturation in your designs for more vivid prints.
Select the Right Film
Choose films with a glossy finish, as they can enhance the brightness and vibrancy of your prints. Ultranex DTF’s hot peel DTF films have a thick coating and enhance the glossy finish.
Increase the Ink Density
We can increase the ink density to deepen the brightness level of the printed image. If you want to add white accents or highlights, then decrease the ink density. It will make the image lighter in color.
Control Heat Press Parameters:
- Temperature and Time: Adhere to recommended heat press settings. Excessive heat can cause dye migration, dulling the colors.
- Pressure: Apply consistent and adequate pressure to ensure proper transfer without compromising vibrancy.
Maintain Your Printer
- Printer Maintenance: Regularly clean and service your printer to prevent issues that could affect print quality.
- Nozzle Checks: Perform routine nozzle checks to ensure inks are dispensing correctly, preventing color inconsistencies.
Conclusion
Now, you don’t need to worry about less-than-perfect DTF prints. Use the steps in this post to print high-quality, vibrant prints and fix common issues. Don’t forget to contact us to explore more about our eco-friendly and ISO-certified DTF heat transfer films.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to design DTF transfers?
Choose the right design software to create your design. Scale the resolution of your design for better visibility. Use CMYK color mode since DTF printers typically work with these color profiles for accurate color reproduction.
2. Are DTF films available near me?
If you reside in southern California, you can order a superior Ultranex DTF film quickly. As a reliable DTF film manufacturer, we ship our products to apparel printing businesses throughout southern California.
3. What is the best temperature for DTF printing?
The recommended ambient temperature for DTF printing is between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F). The heat press temperature should be between 150°C to 177°C (302°F to 350°F).
4. How do I make my DTF print softer?Do not use excessive ink on the DTF film to achieve softer prints. Embed the ink with a second heat press for breathable transfer. Also, ensure that the film you use does not absorb too much powder and ink.
