What is DTF film?

The Detailed Breakdown

To truly understand DTF film, it's best to see its role in the entire process.

The DTF Printing Process Step-by-Step:

1. Design & Printing: A design is printed in reverse (mirror image) onto the DTF film using a specialized DTF printer with water-based pigment inks. A white ink layer is typically printed first, followed by color layers.

2. Powder Application: While the ink on the film is still wet, a fine, thermoplastic adhesive powder is scattered over the entire printed area. The powder only sticks to the wet ink, not to the unprinted parts of the film.

3. Curing/Melting: The powdered film is then passed through a curing oven or heat tunnel. The heat melts the adhesive powder, bonding it permanently to the ink on the film. The result is a flexible, plastic-like transfer sitting on top of the film.

4. Heat Pressing: This transfer-on-film is placed onto the garment (fabric, cap, bag, etc.). A heat press applies high temperature and pressure. This reactivates the adhesive layer.

5. Peeling (The Crucial Step): After pressing, the garment is allowed to cool for a moment. Then, the DTF film is peeled away, leaving the design with its embedded adhesive permanently fused onto the fabric. The film is discarded after a single use.

Key Characteristics of High-Quality DTF Film

Not all films are the same. A good DTF film has:

• High-Temperature Resistance: It must not shrink, melt, or curl during the hot powder-curing stage.

• Excellent Ink Adhesion: The coated surface must hold the ink perfectly without it beading up or spreading, ensuring sharp details.

• Easy Release ("Cold Peel"): This is critical. After heat pressing, the film should peel off cleanly and easily from the transferred design without leaving any residue or tearing the design. Most DTF processes use a cold peel, meaning you wait for it to cool slightly, which results in a soft, flexible print.

• Consistent Coating: The surface must be uniformly coated to ensure even powder adhesion across the entire print, avoiding blank spots.

• Clarity & Transparency: A crystal-clear film allows for accurate color representation and easy alignment on the garment.