As we know that DTF printing(direct to film printing）are so hot in 2022, but for some new customer, their still don’t know how to use the DTF printer, so as professional supplier, we need give some help, ok, lets see the detail how to do with it.
Step 1 – Print on Film
First, insert the PET film into the tray of the printer instead of plain paper. Print the image in white on PET film. Then set the color to print in the printer, and print the image on a white layer. An important part to remember is that the image printed on film is a mirror image of the image you want to print on fabric.
Step 2 – Powdering
This step is to apply the hot melt powder to the film printed with the image. In this process, it is necessary to ensure that the powder is evenly distributed on the printing surface of the film. A very common way to ensure this is to keep the DTF pet film on its short side so that its long side is parallel to the floor (transverse), and then pour the powder from top to bottom into the middle of the film to form a pile about 1 inch thick in the center. Pick up the film together with the powder and bend it slightly inward to form a U-shape with the concave side facing itself. Then gently shake the film from left to right to spread the powder slowly and evenly on the whole surface of the film. Alternatively, an automatic powder shaker can be used to improve efficiency.
Step 3 – Melting the powder
In this step, the powder is melted as shown in the name. This can be achieved in many ways. The most common method is to put the film with printed image and powder in the hot press so that the top of the hot press is very close to the film, but do not touch it. Depending on the powder and equipment, the heating time is generally 2 to 5 minutes and the temperature is about 160 to 170 degrees Celsius.
Step 4 – Pre-pressing
This step includes pre-pressing the fabric before the film transfers the image. The fabric is placed in a hot press and heated for about 2 to 5 seconds. This is done to flatten the fabric and ensure that the fabric is dehumidified. Preloading helps to properly transfer the image from the film to the fabric.
Step 5 – Transfer
This is the heart of the DTF printing process. The PET film with the image and the melted powder is placed on the pre-pressed fabric in the heat press for a strong adhesion between the film and the fabric. This process is also called ‘curing’. The curing is done at a temperature range of 160 to 170 degree Celsius for approximately 15 to 20 seconds. The film is now firmly attached to the fabric.
Step 6 – Cold Peel
Before removing the film, the fabric and the film attached to the fabric must be cooled to room temperature. Because the property of hot melt adhesive is similar to amide, when it cools, it acts as an adhesive to firmly bond the colored pigment in the ink with the fiber of the fabric. After the film cools, it must be stripped from the fabric to leave the required ink pattern on the fabric.
If you want do the perfect work with DTF printer, pls take care for the above 6 points.
