Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a heat-transfer process that combines the capabilities of direct-to-garment (DTG) printers with the ease of plastisol transfers. It involves printing a design onto a special film, then transferring the design to a fabric using a heat press:
Use an inkjet printer modified for DTF printing to print a design onto a specially coated film.
Coat the ink with a white or black adhesive powder.
Cure the powder with heat to fuse it with the ink.
Place the film on the fabric and press it with a heat press.
Once the fabric has cooled, remove the film and the printed image will remain.
DTF printing can be used on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and blends. It can also be used to decorate hard-to-print areas like neck labels, shoes, sleeves, and logos, as well as colors like blue, green, red, and yellow that are traditionally difficult to decorate.
DTF printing can be durable, with designs lasting for years with proper care. With regular use and washing, a DTF print can typically last through 50 to 100 washes. However, the printing process can be time-consuming and may involve some challenges, such as printer technical difficulties, messy powdering, and potentially hazardous curing.