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In this article, we dive into the world of DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing. We’ll explore the process, the tools needed, and the different techniques that can be used to achieve high-quality prints. Let's get started!

Getting Started with DTF Printing

With DTF printing, there are countless possibilities for what you can create. Here in our studio, we’ve received a variety of artwork from our customers, and today, we’re going to print using our DTF printer and double-head heat press.

Preparing Your Printing Programs

We utilize two different printing programs: FlexiPRINT and Hosonsoft. The choice between the two depends on the type of artwork you receive and how much white ink is needed in the print.

For our first print, we don’t need much white, so we’ll use FlexiPRINT. The process starts by importing the design, adding an under base, and making sure our settings are correct. We check the colour preview to ensure everything is accurate and then proceed to print.

Handling White Printing for Dark Garments

For the next print, which involves a black shirt, we need to ensure the white in the artwork remains vivid. We save our print from PM (Print Manager) and switch to Hosonsoft to add an extra layer of white. This step is crucial to prevent any colour from the shirt leaching into the design, which could turn the whites into an off-colour.

Once we’ve adjusted the amount of white, we’re ready to print. The machine will handle the rest, ensuring the proper application of the white layer.

Preparing for the Heat Press

After printing, it’s time to prepare the printed film. We feed the plastic with the printed design through the machine and secure it to the roller with masking tape. Then, we activate the machine and adjust the settings to ensure any excess powdered glue is dusted off properly.

Our machine settings for this process are as follows:

Top setting: 46.5 degrees

Bottom setting: 30 degrees

Don’t worry if the machine fluctuates slightly; as long as it remains near these settings, it will be fine. The dryer and powder applicator should be set to a comfortable 50 degrees for both the front and back.

If you’re doing this manually, remember to check the foam in the curing oven to ensure it remains white on top. A cream or brown colour indicates over-baking, which can cause colour loss.

Heat Pressing Your Garments

Once all the artwork is printed, cut, and ready, we move to the heat press. The double-head heat press is perfect for efficiently handling large volumes or small runs, as it allows us to work on two sets of garments at once. While one set is being pressed, the next is prepared on the other side, enabling a continuous workflow.

We activate the laser alignment tool to ensure each piece of artwork is perfectly positioned. For heat pressing, we set the machine to 165 degrees for 7 to 8 seconds.

A Handy Trick for a Screen-Printed Look

Here’s a neat trick to enhance the final product: instead of using Teflon for the second press, use a piece of plain white material with some texture. When pressed again at the same temperature and time, this material leaves a textured finish on the DTF print, mimicking the look of silk-screen printing and giving it a higher-quality feel.

Conclusion

By now, you’ve seen both machines in action and understand how versatile they are. Whether you’re doing large volumes or smaller, personalized prints, these machines are up to the task.

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