How Does the DTF Printer Work?

How Does the DTF Printer Work?

The Direct to Film (DTF) printer machine is a peculiar technology that prints designs that are to be transferred directly onto the fabric,firstly on PET flms.This printer is easier to use as it has no pre-heat treatment, is cost-effective,and can also print on both dark and light-colored fabrics.It produces better colors, as it has an updated ink cartridge.In this article,we are going to cover everything related to how the DTF printer works. So that you have all the information you need when starting your custom apparel printing business.

In a quick summary,your DTF printer is going to print on a film that has a direct to textile ink coating on it. Then a powder which is the adhesion property is added to it.After which it is heated to a specific temperature. Once the temperature has been achieved the film with the design or image is then pressed onto the shirt.You can do multiple substrates, and the best thing about this technique is that the press time is very low.Overallabout 15 seconds.

DTF printer is known for producing fantastic digital transfer sheets.And can handle varieties of printing works from a single-color shirt design label to full-size print.With the ability of the PET transfer film, which is usually transparent. So, you can see your design under the film when you heat press it on the shirt.

Step 1-Printing the designs on the film

The first step is to insert the pet film onto the printer tray.Make sure to print the entire design in white before printing the multi-colored layer on the white. Do not forget to flip the design before printing.

Step 2 -Adding the desired color

Add the desired colors.The printer has several print head that performs different printing action. The first head applies the colors which is a blend of CMYK color on the film. Then the second head applies the ideal amount of white under the base perfectly on top of the colors.The second print head does this in an accurate alignment to prevent the white from showing.

Remember, this alignment is done on the film sheet on the shirt.This is because the bumps on the shirt will affect the overall design. So,applying it to the film ensures that the final design is crisp with neat edges. You can’t achieve this using the traditional screen-printing process.

Step 3-Adding the unique powder

After printing,the printer sends the film to the dtf powder shaker unitwhere a unique powder adhesive coating is added to the film evenly while it is still wet,into the loop.This powder is responsible for the infamous soft touch DTF prints always have. Ink and a thin coat ofadhesive powder are the two main ingredients in direct to fabric printing.

The excess powder is therefore beaten off the film in the powder shaker machine and then it is passed to the belt drier to melt off the powder and to ensure that it is gelled to the ink.

Step 4-High-pressure heat pressing

The next step after printing,adding powder,and shaking it offis the heat press.It is simply taking the transfer film out of the powder shaker machine and placing it on the shirt that is already on the heat press.

It should be pressed for about 10 seconds in high pressure.The hot-peel sheet is then peeled off after allowing it to cool off completely.Then a finishing sheet is placed on the shirt to further drive the ink into the fabric for 5 seconds, also in high pressure.

Once you reached this stage,congratulations!you have successfully used the DTF printing machine.