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If your business has long relied on direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, it may be time to consider a new technology that could offer even more benefits: direct to film printing or DTF. While DTG is known for producing vibrant, full-size prints with an ultra-soft feel, DTF offers additional advantages you won’t want to miss out on.
What is DTF?
Direct to film printing involves pressing a special transfer film containing the design onto any product you’d like. All that’s necessary is hot melt powder, software, plus a reliable transfer film—no additional equipment is needed. With direct to film printing as part of your arsenal, it won’t be long before you have personalized items at an excellent quality level without having to invest in expensive machinery.
What are the benefits of using DTF printing?
- Print on more types of fabrics
Direct-to-garment printing is best on 100 percent cotton, but it can work on a wide range of materials, including nylon, polyester, treated leather, 50/50 blends, and dark and light fabrics. The transfers apply to other surfaces, too, such as glass, shoes, luggage, metal, and wood. You can expand your inventory by printing on more materials and customizing a wider array of merchandise for your customers.
- No pretreatment is necessary
DTG requires a pre-treatment process and drying time. Direct to film printing uses a hot melt powder on the transfers to bond the design directly to the material, eliminating the need for pre- and post-treatment.
- Minimize white ink usage
White ink—which can be expensive—is essential in DTF and DTG. Minimizing its usage can help you save money. DTF printing requires minimal white ink at only 40 percent, which is significantly less than the 200 percent requirement for DTG.
- Create durable prints
DTG prints provide a barely-there, soft feel as the ink goes directly to the fabric. DTF may not have the same feel, but it creates more durable prints. This can be a significant advantage, especially for garments meant to be worn or used repeatedly. The designs produced via direct to film printing can handle multiple washes and are flexible, so they are unlikely to peel, crack, or fade.
- Easy to apply
Printing on film transfer allows for more design flexibility. This means you can apply the graphics on awkward or hard-to-reach surfaces. Any heatable area can accommodate a DTF print.
Another advantage is that you can sell printed transfers to customers and let them choose where to place the design.
- Faster production
The process does not include pre-treatment and drying, allowing you to reduce production time. It is suitable for small-volume and one-off orders that are usually not profitable, as you can be more flexible and accommodate more clients.
- Maintain a versatile inventory
It’s not feasible to print your most popular designs on every color or size of garment. However, DTF printing allows you to print those graphics in advance and keep them until they are ready to use. Your best-selling designs will always be ready to print on any garment on demand.
Direct to film printing may not fully replace DTG or become an alternative to its older cousin, but it is certainly a worthy addition to your business. If you’re considering including DTF in your services, invest in high-quality printers, powders, films, and inks. Some DTG printers may be converted for DTF printing, too.
If you need DTF inks, buy them from reputable manufacturers like STS Inks. Browse our vast range of high-quality inks formulated for DTF printing. All products are made and tested in the US to ensure the best quality that will deliver optimum results every time.
