Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a heat-transfer process that uses a garment printer to create film transfers that can be applied to a variety of substrates, such as polyester. The process involves printing a design onto a special film and then using a heat press to transfer the design to a garment. DTF printing can be used to decorate hard-to-print areas, such as neck labels, sleeves, and logos, and garment colors that are traditionally difficult to decorate, such as blue, green, red, and yellow.
Most print methods are limited to a range of similar fabrics, like cotton and cotton-blended materials. With a DTF print, you can work with tougher fabric varieties like polyester, fleece, nylon, and of course, classic cotton.
Here are some pros of DTF printing:
- High-resolution prints DTF printing can create high-resolution prints with superior image quality. It can also create photo-realistic prints that capture the depth of more in-detail printing methods.
- Vibrant colors DTF printing uses a special white ink in the printer to enhance the vibrancy of print-outs, especially in darker colors.
- Crack resistant DTF prints are crack resistant if the washing instructions are followed correctly and carefully.
- Long-lasting DTF prints can last without any significant fading anywhere between 2 to 5 years.