DTF full colour printing: how we do it

DTF full colour printing is the latest technology to revolutionise the way we print on garments and textiles. It's flexibility and abaility to cope with one-off prints through to thousands make it more economical than many other full colour printing options, which are far more time-consuming to achieve. The ability to print exactly what you need and to recycle the majority of the materials used in production also makes it more environmentally responsible.

ARTWORK CREATION
Simply save the text, image or design in an EPS, PNG or SVG file. Make the image the best you can, as hi res as possible and remove backgrounds you don't want printed. All of the designs and orders are then arranged and uploaded to the printer for optimal space use.

PRINTING
The prints are then laid down on a film that is preheated to around 40C to minimise any bleed and rolls through a continuous process. The film is held in place with a vacuum, while the CMYK colour layer and an adjustable white layer are laid down. The film is then kept warm ready for the finishing unit, ensuring the inks remain only semi-cured.

POWDERING
The film then passes through a chamber where powder adhesive is applied to the semi-cured ink. A pulse mechanism shakes off and collects any excess powder, which is then reused to ensure zero waste. The powder sticks only to the ink, not the film, which then proceeds through a heating process to cure the powder into the ink. Depending upon the amount of ink used, the heat applied can be anywhere between 85-120C. The heat transforms the powder into a liquid which binds to the ink in a very thin, transparent layer.

COOLING
The fully printed film is then cooled with fans and collected on a spooler, ready for cutting into orders and either shipping out as they are or used on the products we make for our customers.

PRESSING
The final stage is placing the transfer on the textile to be decorated and hot pressing it for the final application. The product is then removed from the press and allowed to cool and cure. Once cooled the backing is peeled away and the print is complete.

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