WHAT IS DIRECT TO FILM Apparel?
Direct to film, commonly known as DTF, is a process in which a graphic printed onto a piece of film with various colored inks is applied to an apparel item. This pre-printed film is binded to the garment through heat and pressure from a heat-press machine. This creates a long-lasting and detailed graphic that can be placed on an array of garments.
The process
DTF printing starts with the film being made on a DTF printer. This printer uses a thick PET film that ensures for better transferring characteristics. The ink used for these printers are in the typical CMYK (cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black) pigment but also has the addition of white ink. The white ink plays a significant role in the creation of the DTF film as it is the foundation that the colored pigments get placed on.
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Once the film is created it is ready to be applied to a garment. We use an in-house heat press machine to adhere these films to the garments. Each garment type will require a different variation of temperature, time, and pressure to ensure the DTF film is properly applied. After pressed onto the item, a clear backing can be peeled off of the film to complete the process!
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pros and cons
PROS
- Can be applied to a wide variety of materials
- Quick turn-around times
- Vibrant and detailed artwork
Cons
- Maximum of 100 items per order (some exceptions)
- Artwork degrades over time (about 50 washes)
Have additional questions or wondering if DTF is the right option for your next project? Contact one of our apparel specialists today!
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