How To Choose Transfer Film Inkjet Printing Materials?

1. Cotton

Material of Transfer Film Inkjet Printing characteristics: The surface is relatively rough and has fiber texture. Furthermore, it absorbs heat quickly and can withstand high temperatures. Besides, it has strong adsorption and is suitable for thick powder combinations.

Advantages of transfer printing: The ink layer is firmly attached and has excellent fastness; it feels soft and is suitable for close-fitting products.

Notes: The detailed pattern is easily affected by the texture (it is recommended to select powder or fine powder); medium and high pressures are required to ensure that the powder layer is fully fused.

2. Polyester-cotton blended

Material characteristics: The fabric structure is uneven when polyester and cotton are mixed. Local DTF printing ink absorption differences are easy to form color differences or uneven layers.

Advantages of transfer printing: It takes into account the advantages of both fabrics and is widely applicable. Besides, it can withstand standard hot pressing temperatures (140–150°C).

Notes: The edge of the layer is easy to blur, and it is recommended to use uniform granular hot melt powder.

3. Canvas

Material characteristics: The surface is rough and the texture is obvious. It has strong thermal stability and can be treated at high temperatures. Besides, it is difficult for ink to evenly cover the surface.

Advantages of transfer printing: strong adhesion, wear resistance and washability, suitable for bag/apron applications. Besides, a Strong three-dimensional pattern and good visual texture.

Notes: Small pictures/thin line patterns are not suitable, easy to break and distort.

One of the biggest advantages of DTF printing is strong material compatibility. But there are also some fabrics that are not suitable for a pet transfer film printer.  Besides, some fabrics may be easily damaged or the pattern is difficult to retain after washing.

1. Silk

Surface characteristics:

Extremely smooth, low adsorption; Ink absorption: Very poor; Heat resistance: Low (easy to melt or discolor). Furthermore, problem manifestation: Ink powder cannot attach, bubbles or melt through after hot pressing;

2. Wool surface characteristics:

Plush, hygroscopic, easy to shrink; Ink absorption: Medium. Heat resistance: Very poor. But problem manifestation: Pattern deformation, color distortion, fabric shrinkage, or frizziness. Reason: The material is unstable and cannot withstand the hot pressing process.

3. Surface characteristics of genuine leather (natural leather):

Non-homogeneous, covered with natural oils. Ink absorption: extremely poor. Besides, heat resistance: very low (easy to crack, burn, fade).  Reason: Natural leather cannot withstand heat pressure, and the printed product is easy to fall off.