DTF Printing
Explore the Versatility of DTF Printing
Dive into the world of DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing, a cutting-edge technique that allows us to print vibrant, high-quality designs directly onto garments. With DTF printing, we can capture every detail and color, making your designs truly stand out. Whether you want to create custom t-shirts, hoodies, or other apparel, our DTF printing services will exceed your expectations.
DTF stands for "direct-to-film" in printing.
So how do these DTF transfers go from a piece of film and ink to a customized t-shirt? First, the design is printed onto the film using a high-quality inkjet printer. These are not regular inks that you would use to print out a high school research paper, but rather specialized textile inks that are made to stick to fabrics as permanently as possible.
The design will be printed backwards on the film, so it looks the right way when transferred to the garment. The supplier will provide directions with the DTF transfers you order. Make sure to read the instructions to know if you have a "cold peel" (peeling the backing off the cooled design) or a "hot peel" (quickly peeling the backing off the freshly pressed design). The heat transfers the ink from the film backing to the fabric, locking the design to the fibers. After that, you can remove the film and throw it away.
Foil Printing on T-Shirt.
Once the adhesive has been applied to the garment, a sheet of thin foil-type is then placed over the top of the glued area and pressed using an industrial heat-press. This technique works best on standard 100% cotton products, for example, T-Shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, polos and many more products.
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It is also a great option for tote bags and similar items that are great for promotional use. Check out our diverse Promotional Merchandise offer!
Puff Printing on T-Shirt.
If you’ve been paying attention you’ve seen that more and more streetwear brands are bringing back the Puff prints. This type of print transfer has been modified with the addition of a heat reactive foaming agent that makes the ink expand to give you that ‘Puffy’ look.
HOW DOES HTV DIFFER FROM DTF TRANSFERS?
HTV, which stands for heat transfer vinyl, is a popular method used for decorating clothing. It gained popularity in the crafting community, especially with the availability of vinyl cutters like Cricut and Silhouette. Hobbyists and professional t-shirt decorators have preferred vinyl for years because it is easy to learn. However, HTV can be challenging for intricate designs or text since you need to remove excess vinyl to highlight the design. Additionally, you need to layer the vinyl to achieve different colors, but the design may not be flush and can peel over time.
On the other hand, DTF transfers are made using an inkjet printer. This makes DTF transfers suitable for detailed designs with multiple colors.