How to Choose DTF Transfer Film?

Direct to Film (DTF) printing is a method that involves transferring a print onto a fabric or another substrate using a heat press machine. This process accurately reproduces the colors of the pattern on all substrate colors and is suitable for printing on fabrics made from various materials. DTF technology can be applied to print on materials such as cotton, polyester, canvas, denim, knitted fabrics, and more. Due to its versatile application, DTF printing has become a favored choice among many producers in the textile printing industry.

 

The DTF printing process is straightforward and ideal for beginners. To begin, print your design on a DTF transfer film using a DTF printer. After printing, sprinkle the film with DTF polyamide powder, heat it, and allow it to dry. The result is a "heat transfer sticker." These stickers can be applied immediately to garments or saved for future use. This approach is undoubtedly an effective method for manufacturers to minimize inventory costs.

 

Selecting high-quality DTF consumables is crucial for printers in their daily operations. On one hand, utilizing top-notch consumables serves as a means of safeguarding the printer, promoting successful printing, and ensuring consistent print quality. On the other hand, it helps prevent material waste and effectively manages production costs.

 

 

What kind of transfer films can be used for DTF printing?

 

DTF printing requires the use of DTF film, often referred to as PET transfer film, but not all PET films can be used for DTF printing. Compared to normal PET film, DTF transfer film has a special ink-absorbing coating and as a result, it usually appears to have a matt frosted effect rather than being transparent. Untreated, lower-quality films may be cheaper, but they can stain, refuse to stick or damage your garment.

 

How to identify the quality of DTF film?

 

You can identify the quality of the film from the following three aspects.

 

1. Transparency

 

The primary distinguishable factor between DTF transfer films of varying qualities is their transparency. In general, an opaque film tends to yield better results due to its thicker coating and enhanced ink absorption. Some vendors may specify the product name, categorizing DTF films as 75μ and 100μ, indicating the thickness of the coated film. Typically, 75μ DTF film is adequate for most printing requirements, while 100μ DTF film is suitable for higher-standard printing.

 

However, there are exceptions, which leads to the second point I'd like to discuss.

 

2. Quality of the Coating

 

DTF transfer films with inferior coating quality may initially appear flawless. However, they can repel DTF ink during printing, causing the ink to run off the film and potentially staining the printer, as well as your hands and clothes. Another potential issue is an uneven coating, leading to uneven prints and a blotchy overall pattern.

 

A DTF transfer film with a high-quality coating should exhibit the following characteristics:

 

- High ink loading, preventing ink runoff even during high-pass printing.

- Precision in fine line printing, ensuring that the ink does not smudge and allowing for the clear printing of very fine lines.

- Clean shake powder, with no excess DTF polyamide powder adhering to the unprinted area after shake powdering, ensuring a smooth edge to the print.

- Easy peel-off, featuring a release layer in the coating. A stable and uniform release layer ensures a smooth and adhesive-free tearing off of the base film.

 

3. High-Temperature Resistant Base Film

 

Lastly, the base film must be resistant to high temperatures. While some films may perform well during printing, there is a risk that the base PET film may curl or even melt during the heat transfer process if it lacks high-temperature resistance. Encountering this issue at the last minute can be highly problematic.

 

 

Which DTF printing film to choose?

 

Even if you know how to identify the quality of DTF printing films, you may still be confused because various types of DTF films are available on the market. Perhaps you've encountered terms like cold peel, hot peel, glossy, matte, glitter, fluorescent, and more. What do these words mean, and how do you choose?

 

1. Cold Peel DTF Film: This refers to DTF transfer film that requires waiting for the embossed part to cool down before peeling off after pressing.

 

2. Hot Peel DTF Film: The PRO 100μ Hot peel DTF Film allows tearing in seconds without waiting, effectively improving production efficiency.

 

3. Glossy DTF Film: Also known as single-sided DTF film, it has one coated side and a smooth PET base film on the other. Novices can easily identify the printing side.

 

4. Matte DTF Film: Also known as double-sided DTF film, only one side can be printed, and the other side has a matte frosted effect to increase friction during the printing process, ensuring stability.

 

5. Glitter DTF Film: This includes a glitter coating to achieve a glitter printing effect, serving as a perfect replacement for Glitter vinyl.

 

6. Golden DTF Film: Coated with golden glitter, providing luxurious and shiny golden bronzing on designs for a broader application range.

 

7. Reflective Colorful DTF Film: When exposed to light, it exhibits a color reflection effect similar to reflective heat transfer vinyl, ideal for personalized customization.

 

8. Luminous DTF Film: Featuring a photoluminescent effect for light storage with a long afterglow, suitable for special clothing designs that glow in the dark.

 

9. DTF Gold/Silver Foil: Offers a shimmering metallic sheen to enhance designs with lasting shine.

 

10. Fluorescent DTF: Achieves a fluorescent effect using DTF fluorescent ink, allowing for neon effect prints when combined with the above DTF transfer films and a fluorescent DTF printer.

 

Choose the appropriate size of DTF film sheets or DTF film rolls according to your DTF machine. Follow this guide to select the right DTF transfer film. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us; MILLION-TON is always at your service.