Since the previous decade, the digital textile printing industry has grown rapidly as more and more textile printing users have shifted to digital printing.
Using digital printers, textiles can now be printed in a wide range of colors and with high levels of convenience, consistency, and performance, making the entire process more dependable and cost-effective.
Digital printing on textiles encompasses a wide range of techniques. There is a lot to learn about DTF printers in this post.
Textile printing processes that are commonly used
- Digital Textile Printing.
- Direct To Film Printing.
What is the Direct Film Method?
Using a heat-press mechanism, DTF transfers prints onto cloth or other surfaces. It is possible to print on both cotton and poly mixes using the Printer DTF method instead of the DTG method.
What is a DTF Printer?
A direct-to-film printer, as its name suggests, prints a pattern on a film that is then transferred to the desired surface, such as cloth, by heat.
The DTF printer’s popularity is mostly because it allows you to print on practically any surface.
All of these materials are compatible with the DTF printer technology and may be printed without difficulty.
In addition, DTF printers can print on both dark and light fabrics without the need for pricey A and B paper.
How does the DTF Printer work?
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to install printer DTF in your printing firm. Consider these printers if you’re just getting started in the printing industry or if you’re looking to expand your firm.
Ink tanks for DTF Modified printers are often available in a variety of colors. CMYK (CMYK refers to the four ink plates used in certain color printing: cyan, magenta, yellow, and key black) settings can be utilized with these tanks.
The DTF printer ink is specifically designed for use with this procedure…
Aside from eliminating the usage of rollers that caused the page to slide, DTF eliminates the need for rollers.
This corrects any linings on your white layer prints. When it comes to printing technique, DTF is the best option if you’re seeking a result that’s as close as possible to what you envisioned on the fabric.
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DTF Printing Includes the Following Elements:
The Direct to Film Printer Films:
As opposed to screen printing, a DTF printer utilizes PET films. With a thickness of around 0.75″ PET films are superior for transferring information.
DTF Transfer Films are another name for these films in the marketplace.
It is possible to buy them in sheets or rolls, depending on your needs. PET Films can be divided into two groups based on the temperature they are exposed to. Cold-peel and hot-peel films are the two types of films.
The DTF Printer’s Software:
DTF printers cannot function without the software they contain. Due to the software’s influence over ink performance, print characteristics, and ultimate print quality.
A RIP program designed specifically for DTF printing will be needed to handle the white and CMYK colors in your files.
Ink drop sizes, ink levels, and a variety of other print quality-related variables are all controlled by software.
A Powder for Adhesive Melting:
A white granular substance, Direct Film printing powder serves as an adhesive. This aids in the adhesion of the printer’s colored pigments to the surface on which they are printed. STF hot melt comes in a variety of micron-specified grades.
DTF Printer Inks:
It is possible to print with unique pigments in Cyan, Yellow Magenta White, and Black colors using Printer DTF. While the white ink serves as a base for your print, it’s the colored pigment that transfers your design to the film.
A Powder Shaker With an Automatic Mechanism:
An even application of the powder can be achieved by using this Direct to Film printer component (DTF printer). Using a powder shaker can also help you get rid of any extra powder.
Curing Oven:
The printer’s hot melt powder is melted in this small industrial oven before being applied to the transfer film. Heat press machines can also be used to perform this task. However, using the heat press machine in no-contact mode might be beneficial.
The Heat Press Machine:
To transfer the printed images from your film to a suitable surface or cloth, you’ll need this piece of equipment. If you want to melt powder on your DTF film, you may do it as well with this device.
Pros and Cons of the DTF printer
Is a Direct-to-Film Printer worth the money? First, let’s have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this remarkable piece of printing technology.
PROS:
- It doesn’t need any prior preparation.
- It can be used for a wide variety of different types of fabrics and materials.
- When you touch it, you’ll notice that the material it’s printed on has a distinct texture. After the printing, the cloth will have a high washability rating.
- Other printing technologies, such as Direct Garment (DTG), are slower and more tedious than this one.
CONS:
- In comparison to subliminal printing, the printed area is more obvious.
- Compared to sublimation printing, color vibrancy is decreased in this method.
Summing Up
To summarize, DTF printers allow you to almost eliminate the limitations imposed by typical commercial printing methods.
In addition, DTF printers save you money on printing because they don’t require any treatment in the majority of circumstances. Your company can reap the benefits of this by increasing its profit margins.
According to the textile sector, for example, DTF printers are expected to see a tremendous increase in demand in the next few years.
The printing industry anticipates that as more organizations discover the advantages of DTF printing, it will grow in popularity.
A DTF printer is the best option if you are a textile or t-shirt firm that wants to create printed fabric at a low cost and with high efficiency.
