DTF Printing Glossary

Visible horizontal lines or streaks in a printed design caused by misaligned printhead passes, clogged nozzles, or encoder strip issues. Banding is one of the most common DTF print quality problems and is typically resolved through head cleaning, alignment, and encoder strip maintenance.

Printing large quantities of the same or different designs in a single production run. DTF gang sheets enable efficient bulk printing by nesting multiple designs together, reducing per-unit costs while maintaining the flexibility to include varied designs.

A heat press design where the upper platen opens and closes like a clamshell. Compact and affordable, but provides slightly less even pressure than swing-away models. Popular for beginners and home-based DTF businesses.

The four-color ink system used in DTF printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). Combined with a white ink channel, DTF printers use CMYK+W to reproduce full-color designs. CMYK layers are printed first, followed by the white underbase.

A transfer application technique where the carrier film is peeled away from the garment after the transfer has fully cooled to room temperature. Cold peel typically produces a matte finish and better adhesion on textured fabrics. Most DTF transfers are designed for cold peel application.

The total range of colors that a DTF printer can reproduce. A wider color gamut means more vibrant and diverse colors. Gamut is determined by the ink formulation, printhead technology, and film coating. CMYK+W typically covers a smaller gamut than RGB displays.

The system of controls and profiles that ensures consistent, accurate color reproduction from screen to print. In DTF, color management involves monitor calibration, ICC profiles, ink density settings, and RIP software configuration. Proper color management prevents washed-out or inaccurate prints.

The process of using heat to melt and activate the adhesive powder applied to a printed DTF transfer. Curing is typically done in a tunnel oven or heat press at 250-330°F (120-165°C). Proper curing ensures the adhesive bonds correctly during the final heat press application.

A small ink filter component located between the ink lines and the printhead. Dampers regulate ink flow and filter out particles that could clog the printhead nozzles. They are consumable parts that need periodic replacement in DTF printers.

A digital printing method where designs are printed onto a special PET film using inkjet technology, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and then heat-pressed onto fabric or other substrates. DTF does not require pre-treatment of garments, making it versatile for cotton, polyester, blends, and many other materials.

Specialized water-based pigment inks formulated for DTF printing. DTF inks are designed to bond with PET film and adhesive powder to create durable, washable transfers. Available in CMYK and white formulations. Not interchangeable with regular inkjet, sublimation, or DTG inks.

An inkjet printer specifically configured or manufactured for printing onto DTF transfer film using CMYK + white ink. Can be a modified desktop printer (like converted Epson EcoTank models) or a purpose-built commercial DTF printer with built-in white ink circulation systems.

A printing method where ink is applied directly onto the fabric using an inkjet printer. Unlike DTF, DTG requires pre-treatment of garments and works best on 100% cotton. DTG and DTF are competing technologies, with DTF being more versatile for mixed fabric types.

A phenomenon where sublimation dyes in polyester fabrics bleed through the DTF transfer during heat pressing, causing discoloration or color shifting. Common with red, bright blue, and black polyester. Prevented using dye-blocking sprays, lower temperatures, or specialty films.

A thin, transparent strip inside the printer that the printhead carriage reads to determine its exact position. Dust, ink spray, or damage to the encoder strip causes banding, misalignment, or printing errors. Clean the encoder strip regularly with a lint-free cloth.

A ventilation device that captures and filters airborne particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during DTF printing and curing. Uses HEPA and activated carbon filters. Essential for maintaining safe air quality in DTF workspaces, especially in enclosed environments.

A single sheet of DTF film containing multiple different designs arranged together to maximize film usage and minimize waste. Gang sheets reduce per-transfer costs significantly. Gang sheet builder software automatically arranges designs for optimal placement.

Software specifically designed to arrange multiple DTF designs on a single sheet of film for maximum efficiency. Gang sheet builders automatically nest designs, rotate them for optimal fit, and calculate the most cost-effective layout. Examples include DTF Gang Sheet, TransferBuilder, and FilmNest.

PET transfer film with a glossy coating that produces a vibrant, shiny finish. Glossy film is less common for apparel but popular for promotional items and products where a bright, eye-catching appearance is desired.

The tactile sensation of a printed DTF transfer on fabric when touched. A good DTF transfer has a soft hand feel that is barely noticeable through the fabric. Factors affecting hand feel include powder particle size, ink coverage, film type, and pressing parameters.

A maintenance procedure that flushes ink through the printhead nozzles to clear clogs and dried ink. DTF printers require regular head cleaning, especially for the white ink channel. Over-cleaning wastes ink, so run nozzle checks first to diagnose whether cleaning is actually needed.

A machine that applies heat and even pressure to transfer DTF prints from film onto garments. Standard DTF pressing temperatures range from 300-330°F (149-165°C) at medium-firm pressure for 10-15 seconds. Available in clamshell, swing-away, and drawer styles.

A foam or silicone pad placed inside a garment during heat pressing to create an even pressing surface and prevent seam marks, zipper impressions, or button imprints on the transfer. Essential for pressing hoodies, pockets, and garments with uneven surfaces.

A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder applied to wet DTF prints that melts when heated, creating the bond between the ink and the fabric. Available in different particle sizes (mesh counts) — finer powder for detailed designs, coarser for heavy coverage. Also called TPU powder or DTF powder.

A transfer application method where the carrier film is peeled immediately after pressing while the transfer is still hot. Hot peel produces a slightly glossy finish and works well for smooth, flat designs. Not all DTF films support hot peel — check manufacturer specifications.

A vinyl material cut into designs using a plotter or cutting machine, then heat-pressed onto garments. HTV requires weeding (removing excess vinyl) and is limited to simple, single-color or layered designs. DTF surpasses HTV in detail, color range, and production speed for complex designs.

An International Color Consortium file that maps colors from your design software to the exact ink output of your specific printer and ink combination. ICC profiles ensure accurate color reproduction. Each printer, ink, and film combination should have its own ICC profile for best results.

The percentage of the print area covered by ink. Higher ink coverage means more ink is deposited, resulting in more vivid colors but potentially stiffer hand feel and longer dry times. RIP software allows adjusting ink coverage percentages per channel.

The amount of ink deposited per unit area during printing. Higher ink density produces more saturated colors but increases dry time and can cause issues like bleeding or slow curing. Ink density is controlled through RIP software settings.

Flexible tubing that carries ink from the ink tanks or cartridges to the printhead. In DTF printers, ink lines can develop air bubbles or dried ink deposits that restrict flow. Regular purging and inspection of ink lines is part of standard maintenance.

PET transfer film with a matte coating that produces a soft, non-shiny finish on the transferred design. Matte film generally works better with cold peel application and provides a more fabric-like feel. Most popular choice for apparel applications.

Flipping a design horizontally before printing onto DTF film. Since the printed side of the film faces the garment during heat pressing, the image must be mirrored so it reads correctly when transferred. Most RIP software handles mirroring automatically.

The smallest number of units a supplier will sell in a single order. DTF transfer suppliers typically have lower MOQs than screen printing (often as low as 1 piece), making DTF accessible for small businesses and custom orders.

The process of arranging multiple designs on a single sheet of DTF film to minimize wasted space. Nesting algorithms rotate and position designs like puzzle pieces for maximum efficiency. Advanced gang sheet builder software handles nesting automatically.

A diagnostic print pattern that tests whether all printhead nozzles are firing correctly. Missing lines or gaps in the nozzle check indicate clogged nozzles that need cleaning. Running daily nozzle checks is a critical maintenance habit for DTF printers to catch issues before they affect production.

The degree to which a DTF transfer blocks the garment color from showing through. High opacity white ink creates a solid base that makes colors appear identical on both light and dark fabrics. Measured as a percentage — 100% opacity means no garment color shows through.

The release of gases from garment dye or fabric treatments during heat pressing. Outgassing can cause bubbling, discoloration, or poor adhesion of DTF transfers, particularly on polyester. Pre-pressing the garment for 3-5 seconds before applying the transfer helps release trapped gases.

A quality control method where a small section of a DTF transfer is pressed and peeled to check adhesion, color vibrancy, and opacity before running a full production batch. Peel tests help identify issues with temperature, time, or pressure settings before wasting materials.

Polyethylene terephthalate film used as the carrier for DTF printing. PET film has a special coating on one side that accepts DTF ink. Available in matte and glossy finishes, single-sided and double-sided coatings, and various widths to match different printer sizes.

A machine that automatically applies hot melt adhesive powder evenly onto freshly printed DTF film. Powder shakers use vibration to distribute powder across the wet ink surface, then an air system removes excess powder from non-printed areas. Available as standalone units or integrated into DTF printer setups.

An initial low-temperature heat application that partially melts the adhesive powder to fix it in place on the printed film before full curing. Pre-curing prevents powder from shifting during handling and storage. Temperature is typically lower than full curing — around 200-250°F (93-120°C).

A liquid solution sprayed onto garments before DTG printing to help ink bond with fabric fibers. DTF printing does not require pre-treatment, which is a significant advantage in production speed and consistency over DTG.

A business model where products are printed only after a customer places an order, eliminating inventory risk. DTF is well-suited for POD because there are no minimum order quantities, no screen setup costs, and transfers can be pre-printed and stored for quick fulfillment.

The component in a DTF printer that sprays microscopic ink droplets onto the film. Common DTF printheads include the Epson i3200, Epson XP-600, and Epson i1600. Printhead quality directly affects print resolution, speed, and reliability. Regular maintenance prevents clogging.

Raster Image Processor software that converts digital designs into printer-ready data. For DTF printing, RIP software controls ink layering (CMYK and white channels), color management, mirroring, and gang sheet layouts. Popular DTF RIP software includes Cadlink Digital Factory, Caldera, Wasatch, and AcroRIP.

A traditional printing method that pushes ink through a mesh screen onto fabric. Each color requires a separate screen, making it cost-effective only for large runs. DTF eliminates setup costs and minimum order requirements, making it ideal for small runs and custom one-off prints.

A transfer finish that feels smooth and flexible, closely mimicking the feel of unprinted fabric. Achieved through proper curing, fine adhesive powder, correct temperature settings, and quality DTF film. Soft hand is a key quality indicator for premium DTF transfers.

Previewing how a design will look when printed by simulating the printer's color output on screen. Soft proofing uses ICC profiles to show an accurate representation of the final print colors, helping catch color issues before wasting film and ink.

A heat transfer printing method using special dye-sublimation inks that convert from solid to gas when heated, permanently bonding with polyester fibers. Unlike DTF, sublimation only works on white or light polyester fabrics. DTF works on all fabric colors and types.

A heat press where the upper platen swings completely away from the lower platen, providing better access for garment placement and more even pressure distribution. Preferred for DTF transfers because the upper platen does not hover over the garment during setup.

A heat-resistant, non-stick sheet placed over the DTF transfer during pressing to protect both the transfer and the heat press platen. Teflon sheets prevent ink from transferring to the press and ensure smooth, even pressure distribution.

The base material used in DTF adhesive powder. TPU melts at heat press temperatures and re-solidifies when cooled, forming a flexible, washable bond between the printed ink and the fabric. TPU is what gives DTF transfers their durability and stretch resistance.

A conveyor-style oven used to cure adhesive powder on DTF transfers. The printed and powdered film passes through the heated chamber on a belt at a controlled speed. Tunnel ovens provide consistent, even curing and are essential for production-level DTF operations.

A variant of DTF printing that uses ultraviolet-curable inks printed onto a special A/B film set. UV DTF creates peel-and-stick transfers that adhere to hard surfaces like tumblers, phone cases, glass, wood, and metal without a heat press. Distinct from traditional DTF, which requires heat application.

A transfer application method where the carrier film is peeled after a brief cooling period of 5-10 seconds, when the transfer is warm but not hot. This method balances the benefits of both hot and cold peel techniques.

A measure of how many wash cycles a DTF transfer can withstand before noticeable fading, cracking, or peeling. Properly applied DTF transfers typically last 50-100+ washes. Factors affecting durability include pressing temperature, time, pressure, powder quality, and wash care instructions.

The resistance of a DTF transfer to color change or fading during washing. High wash fastness means the print maintains its colors after many wash cycles. Measured on a 1-5 scale in industrial testing, with 5 being the most resistant.

The process of removing excess vinyl material from a cut design in HTV (heat transfer vinyl) printing. DTF printing eliminates weeding entirely, as the entire design is printed directly onto film with no cutting or material removal required.

Specialized pigment-based ink used in DTF printing to create the opaque white underbase layer. White DTF ink contains titanium dioxide particles that are heavier than colored ink pigments, requiring regular agitation or circulation to prevent settling and clogging.

A mechanism in DTF printers that continuously stirs or circulates white ink to prevent pigment settling. White DTF ink is heavier than colored inks and settles quickly, which can cause clogging and inconsistent prints. Automated circulation systems run on a timer.

A layer of white ink printed beneath the colored design on DTF film. The white underbase ensures colors appear vibrant and opaque, especially on dark-colored garments. Without it, colors would appear transparent or washed out. The white layer is printed after the CMYK layers in DTF.