Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a switch know-how that permits customers to print designs onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) movie utilizing water-based pigment inks. This text presents an outline of this up-and-coming know-how and likewise explores the way it compares to different printing methods.
- When in comparison with direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, DTF presents the power to keep away from cloth pre-treatment, which is usually required when printing with DTG.
- Whereas getting ready the picture for print is especially vital, making use of the hot-melt adhesive is equally so with DTF; it makes use of a hot-melt powder made from polyurethane resin floor into adhesive powder.
- DTF presents the power to brighten a variety of materials, doesn’t require cloth pre-treatment, is sturdy with nice elasticity and stretchability, and is usually a less expensive and quicker various.
By Johnny Shell
Introduction
One of many latest and hottest tendencies throughout the adorned attire trade is direct-to-film (DTF) printing, a switch know-how that permits customers to print designs onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) movie utilizing water-based pigment inks. Since it is a switch know-how, the design is printed in reverse order in relation to conventional digital printing. The picture is reversed in order that its orientation is mirrored—the CMYK colours (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, black) are printed first, adopted by the white ink. The moist ink is powdered with a hot-melt adhesive after which cured. As soon as cured, the picture may be transferred to attire utilizing a warmth press.
What’s All of the Buzz About?
When in comparison with direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, DTF presents the power to keep away from cloth pre-treatment, which is usually required when printing with DTG. DTF may also work on materials like polyester and nylon, which are sometimes troublesome (if not not possible) for DTG. As well as, there’s a a lot decrease studying curve for printing DTF transfers in comparison with DTG. Compared with dye-sublimation, DTF permits the person to brighten a wider vary of materials and cloth colours. DTF can be extra environment friendly than different switch applied sciences like heat-transfer vinyl as a result of there is no such thing as a reducing and weeding with DTF, which saves time.
As with different digital print applied sciences, DTF is nice for full-color, photorealistic pictures. The potential vary of colour is restricted solely by the gamut of inks getting used. Fantastic traces, small textual content, and excessive element pictures aren’t any drawback for DTF. All this being mentioned, colour profiling generally is a problem for individuals who are unfamiliar with colour administration and ICC profiles. Particular RIP software program can be required to create a white print layer and to reflect the picture so the switch prints within the appropriate orientation.
So far, the vast majority of DTF printers have originated from China. They’re usually modified Epson printers or platforms utilizing Epson printheads (fashions generally embrace 1–4 printheads). Optionally available configurations embrace further printheads to jet added white, CMYK, or fluorescent channels. Print speeds will fluctuate primarily based on the variety of printheads. On the similar time, nonetheless, the out there printer fashions fall inside certainly one of three classes:
- Sluggish (25–35 sq. ft./hr.)
- Medium (80–100 sq. ft./hr.)
- Quick (150+ sq. ft./hr.)
Prices per sq. foot (together with PET movie, ink, and powder adhesive) vary between $0.50 and $0.90. The reported washfast sturdiness is above 100 laundry cycles.
Whereas getting ready the picture for print is especially vital, making use of the hot-melt adhesive is equally so with DTF; it makes use of a hot-melt powder made from polyurethane resin floor into adhesive powder. Whereas there aren’t any dangerous emissions, the powder adhesive is exceptionally tremendous and might generate mud, so it’s vital to put on respiratory safety when working with the powder. It’s additionally finest to maintain the inkjet printer at a protected distance from the powder coating course of to maintain adhesive mud from penetrating the delicate elements contained in the printer.
The powder itself is available in white and black, relying on the final colour of the material that’s going to be adorned. The powder is finest utilized utilizing an automated powder shaker for rolls of printed PET movie, however it can be manually utilized when utilizing lower sheets of PET movie. The most important issue related to making use of the powder adhesive is attaining a constant, even coating. As soon as cured, the switch is utilized at 315°F (157°C) for 15 seconds at medium stress for cotton materials. For warmth-sensitive materials like polyester, the press time may be lowered.
The CobraFlex line of DTF printers represents the latest choices within the trade, and these units require no powder adhesive. With this technique, the switch adhesive prints similtaneously the white ink cross, eliminating the powdered adhesive course of in addition to the mud it may generate. This new strategy represents an rising pattern in inkjet printing whereby chemistry is being jetted along with CMYKW inks.
CobraFlex’s No Powder DTF Printer. Picture Supply: CobraFlex Printers
In simply over two years, DTF has emerged as an “all-for-one” know-how. It presents the power to brighten a variety of materials, doesn’t require cloth pre-treatment, is sturdy with nice elasticity and stretchability, and is a less expensive and quicker various in lots of instances.
The Backside Line: Indicators of Motion
Whereas at the moment’s OEMs have been sluggish to react to market demand, there are indicators of motion. For instance, Eastman Kodak Firm not too long ago entered the DTF market by launching its KODACOLOR Movie-to-Material ink system. This machine contains powder adhesive, PET movie, and ink that’s particularly designed for DTF transfers. In the meantime, STS Inks (Boca Raton, Fla.) presents a tool that makes use of Mutoh’s VJ-628, contains powder adhesive and PET movie, and is branded with the STS brand.
As well as, many direct-to-garment OEMs like Epson, Kornit Digital, and OmniPrint Worldwide have promoted the power to print DTF transfers on their DTG units utilizing cut-sheet PET movie and current DTG inks. Will probably be fascinating to see if different tools OEMs or ink producers resolve to experience the DTF wave by creating devoted printers, inks, powder techniques, and PET movies. Time will inform, so keep tuned!
Johnny Shell is the Director of Keypoint Intelligence’s Purposeful & Industrial Printing Consulting Service. He’s a printing knowledgeable and acknowledged chief with over 35 years of print trade expertise. Johnny is an Inductee of the Academy of Display and Digital Printing Applied sciences, a world physique of consultants which honors certified people by election to membership for his or her distinguished, long-term contributions to, and software and promotion of, display screen and digital printing and related imaging applied sciences for graphic, textile, industrial, and digital printing functions.