Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is an impressive technique for creating high-quality, vibrant designs on various promotional items. DTF offers unmatched versatility, allowing for intricate designs, bold colors, and durable prints that adhere seamlessly to fabrics and other substrates. Whether you want to customize t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, packaging, or home goods, DTF printing provides a cost-effective, high-quality solution.

In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know about direct-to-film printing, including how it works, how it compares to other printing methods, and the wide range of products it can create.

What is Direct-to-Film Printing?

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a printing method that produces full-color, high-quality digital transfers that can be applied to various fabrics to create custom apparel, tote bags, flags, and more.

The DTF printer prints logos, artwork, text, or photos onto a transparent film called PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film using water-based inks and a powder adhesive. The printed design is then applied to the product using a heat press, creating a durable and vibrant custom item.

How Does Direct-to-Film Printing Work?

Direct-to-film printing requires a DTF printer and a heat press. It first prints the full-color design onto the unique transparent PET film. Once the initial colored design is laid on the film, a second layer of white ink is printed over the entire design. This white layer is essential to making designs vibrant, even when applied to dark fabrics like black T-shirts or navy duffle bags.

Next, with the water-based inks still wet, a powdered adhesive is laid uniformly over the design. This powder is moisture seeking and bonds with the ink, creating a strong, long-lasting bond.

After the design is printed onto the film, it is placed on the fabric and pressed using a heat press, securely transferring the design to the product. Because the film is transparent, you can see the exact placement of the design on the fabric before it is applied using heat.

When applied to the fabric, the DTF print moves and stretches with the fabric without cracking or peeling.

DTF vs. Other Printing Methods

Direct-to-Film vs. Screen Printing

Screen printing works by applying inks layer by layer through a screen. Each screen is made for each color and design element. So, the more details and colors in a design, the more screens are required. If screen printing is used to create colorful, detailed designs, designs can sometimes feel thick on the garment. Because of this, screen printing is best suited for solid designs without intricate details, such as solid-colored shapes and single-colored logos. In addition, because screens are created for a single design, it is more economical to order custom products in bulk when using screen printing.

On the other hand, direct-to-film printing does not require screens and can print highly detailed designs, including gradients and photorealistic images. DTF-transferred designs have a more uniform feel and don't become thicker, no matter how many colors or design elements are used. DTF printing can also economically print on-demand short-run jobs, allowing you to create custom products in small quantities.

In addition, DTF printing is eco-friendly compared to screen printing as it uses water-based inks instead of solvent-based inks, so there are no harmful emissions. DTF also has less waste as you can print on demand, and it does not require custom screens that are discarded after each design.

Direct-to-Film vs. Direct-to-Garment

With Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, a pre-treatment solution is first applied, then a white ink base is sprayed, and then the colored design is sprayed on top of the white base. While DTG uses a white ink base to help make the design more vibrant, the fabric absorbs the inks, resulting in less vibrancy when printing on dark-colored fabrics. In addition, because the inks are absorbed, printing small text or fine-line artwork is not recommended when using DTG printing. Overall, DTG printing is best suited for simple designs, light-colored fabrics, and natural materials like cotton so the inks can be absorbed and adhere to the fabric.

On the other hand, direct-to-film printing allows you to print intricate, detailed designs in various colors. Because the process does not include spraying the design directly onto the fabric, it is not absorbed by the fabric, resulting in vibrant designs on dark colors. In addition, with DTF you can print on more than cotton, including polyester, nylon, denim, cardboard, and more. DTF also has more targeted placement options, such as the ability to print on the sleeve of a shirt or even shirt tags.

Popular Products Made with DTF Printing

The product options are almost limitless because you can print on various fabrics and substrates using DTF printing. However, some popular products companies order include:

• Apparel: hoodies, crew necks, pants, t-shirts, jackets, polos
• Home goods: flags, towels, blankets, koozies, cushion covers
• Bags: drawstring bags, duffle bags, tote bags, purses
• Tech gear: mouse pads, laptop cases
• Accessories: hats, aprons, bandanas, headbands

Benefits of DTF Printing

Direct-to-film printing is a unique printing method that allows you to produce high-quality, colorful, custom promotional items. Some of the benefits of DTF printing include:

• No pre-treatment required
• Cost-effective for both small and large orders
• Works on various fabrics such as cotton, polyester, flags, nylon, and more
• Can print full-color, photorealistic prints (gradients, fine lines, portraits)
• Vibrant prints, even on dark materials
• Uses water-based inks, resulting in no harmful solvent emissions
• Less waste because of print-on-demand capability and no need for screens
• Targeted placement - print on sleeves, pockets, tags, and more
• Durable designs - custom apparel does not peel even through dozens of wash cycles
• Machine washable
• Prints move and stretch with the fabric without cracking

Direct-to-film printing is a game-changing technique that allows you to create vibrant, highly detailed, durable custom products at an affordable price, such as apparel, aprons, bags, boxes, blankets, towels, and more.

Whether you're looking to create custom giveaways for your clients, have an upcoming event, or need to get your team ready with custom swag, DTF printing can help. If you're interested in the benefits of DTF printing, check out some popular promo items and request a quote today.