DTF Print (Direct-to-Film)
DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing is a modern digital branding technology that allows for the transfer of full-color prints onto almost any type of textile. The process does not require the direct application of ink onto the garment but instead utilizes an intermediate carrier.
- Material versatility: Unlike sublimation (which strictly requires polyester), DTF can be successfully applied to cotton, polyester, Lycra, leather, canvas, and various blended fabrics.
Printing on any color: It ensures perfect coverage and color saturation on both white and deep black or dark textiles, thanks to the white underbase. - Durability and elasticity: The prints are highly resistant to regular washing, stretching, and cracking, as the polyurethane adhesive used retains remarkable flexibility.
- Photographic quality:It enables precise digital printing of highly complex designs featuring smooth blends, shadows, gradients, and fine details that are difficult to achieve with traditional screen printing.
- No contour cutting:The adhesive adheres only where a layer of ink has been applied, eliminating the need for tedious film cleaning or contour cutting.
Key Areas and Products
- Promotional and merchandise textiles:Ideal for branding cotton and blended-fabric T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and baseball caps. With no minimum order quantity, this technology is perfect for custom orders, band logos, events, or designer collections.
- Workwear and uniforms:Due to its exceptional resistance to regular, aggressive industrial laundering, DTF is widely used for applying company logos to heavy-duty canvas, work jackets, overalls, aprons for chefs and staff, and high-visibility (reflective) textiles.
- Sportswear and accessories:Although sublimation is the standard for all-over printed polyester, DTF is an excellent option for applying numbers, names, club emblems, and sponsor logos to ready-made (stock) sportswear—such as items made of Lycra, elastane, or nylon—without the risk of base fabric color migration.
- Textile accessories and souvenirs:It enables the branding of complex-shaped items that are difficult to print on using other methods—such as eco-friendly textile bags, backpacks, drawstring sports bags, pouches, umbrellas, laptop cases, and even leather goods (genuine and synthetic leather).
Hard-to-reach areas: Unlike direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, DTF transfers can be easily positioned and applied to specific locations such as collars, sleeves, cuffs, inner labels, and pockets, or near zippers and seams.