Curing
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.
Related Terms
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 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 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 — finer powder for detailed designs, coarser for heavy coverage.