What is DTF Printing?
You’ve probably heard of DTF printing, but maybe you don’t know how it works—or you might have confused it with DTG printing.
DTF stands for Direct To Film. This technique involves printing your design directly onto a film and then transferring it onto a t-shirt made of cotton, polyester, or their blends—regardless of color—because it works with white ink.
Although DTF printing may seem like a variant of transfer printing, it requires a desktop inkjet printer equipped with textile inks specifically designed for DTF printing.
How to Print DTF Transfers?
One major advantage of this technique is that the white ink layer is printed simultaneously with the colored inks. This feature makes it a very simple alternative compared to other methods, like white toner printing.
When working with DTF, the supported file formats for your designs are: EPS, PS, PDF, BMP, TIF, JPG, PNG, and PSD.
What Do I Need for DTF Transfer Printing?
Now that you know about DTF printing and what it can achieve, you may be wondering what equipment you need and how much investment is required for your business.
What You’ll Need:
- DTF-modified inkjet printer with 6 ink channels (CMYK + White): At DTFtlaciaren.sk, we provide printers modified with all the necessary hardware upgrades.
- Special DTF inks: These highly elastic inks prevent cracking when the garment is stretched after printing.
- DTF film: This is the surface onto which you print your design.
- DTF powder: Acts as an adhesive between the ink and the cotton fibers.
- RIP software: Required to correctly print CMYK and white layers, because, as mentioned, the printer is modified and cannot print in the proper order on its own.
- Heat press: We recommend a press with a top plate that lowers vertically, which simplifies the DTF curing process.
How Much Does DTF Equipment Cost?
Let’s look at the investment needed to integrate DTF printing into your custom t-shirt business. This is actually one of the major advantages of this personalization technique, as you can get a complete kit (printer + consumables) for under €1,500, ready to install in your workshop, with a quick return on investment.
In our online store, you’ll find an affordable DTF starter kit including:
- A3 DTF printer
- CADlink Digital Factory v10 DTF Edition RIP software
- All consumables needed to get started
Besides the DTF printer and consumables, you’ll need a heat press or curing oven to set the ink on the film. If your business already has this equipment, you only need the kit mentioned above.
The heating plate must maintain an even temperature across the printing surface. We therefore recommend a press with a top plate that lowers vertically to adjust its height. We offer presses equipped with this feature.
Differences Between DTF, DTG, and White Toner
It can be said that DTF printing combines aspects of DTG printing and white toner printing. Comparing them can be a bit confusing, so let’s break down the differences to help you choose the best method for your needs.
DTF vs DTG Printing
Both DTF and DTG use inkjet printers with white ink, but there are key differences:
- Investment: DTF printing requires a much lower investment than a DTG printer. A DTF kit costs roughly one-tenth of a DTG printer.
- Production Time: DTF starts by printing the design onto a film, then adding DTF powder. The printed film must be cured and then transferred onto the fabric. DTG prints directly onto the garment, significantly reducing production time compared to DTF.
- Print Feel and Finish: DTF has a slightly “plastic” feel, similar to HTV or screen printing transfers. However, the inks are very elastic, preventing cracking when the fabric stretches. DTG ink is fully absorbed into the garment, resulting in a softer finish and better integration with the fabric.
- White Ink Intensity: DTG produces a cleaner, more vibrant white. DTF white is less intense and slightly less pure.
- Consumables Costs: Both techniques have low production costs. While DTF may seem more expensive due to higher consumable use, the total cost per printed t-shirt is actually slightly lower than DTG.
Advantages and Disadvantages of DTF
Advantages:
- Low investment
- Can print on garments of any color or fabric
- Highly elastic prints that don’t crack when stretching
- Very durable and resistant to washing and wear
Disadvantages:
- Slightly raised or “soft” print feel, similar to screen printing or HTV
- Printing process is more complex than sublimation or DTG
Is DTF Printing Right for You?
DTF printing is ideal for anyone looking to add custom t-shirts or other textile products (pillowcases, masks, bags, hoodies, etc.) to their business using cotton or polyester fabrics (or blends of any color) with a low startup investment.
If you have any questions or if we missed something, leave a comment and we’ll help you. You can also contact our customer service team directly.
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