DTF printing

► 1. General questions
► 2. Technical problems

1. General questions

What is DTF and what is it suitable for?

The essence of the Direct to Foil system is that we print on PET foil with special 4+white DTF ink, then spread hot melt adhesive powder onto the fresh print, then melt it in a heat treatment machine. The adhesive layer spreads and solidifies only on the surface printed with ink, and then the finished sticker must be ironed onto the surface of the textile – for example a cotton T-shirt – with a heat press. The result is an industrial durable print, which can be a photo, an image with transparent background or lettering, which could be even white. This technology is suitable for printing on white and colored textiles as well. The latter is due to the white color because the white ink underprint covers the colored surface of the T-shirt, so the colored/photo print will be visible.

In terms of capacity and productivity, there are two solutions:
1. Desktop 30cm wide DTF printers: the powder has to be applied manually, then shaken off the printed film, then heat-treated in a desktop heat-treatment machine and can then be ironed in a heat press.
2. Automatic roll-to-roll DTF printing systems: print on roll-to-roll film, an automatic powdering-shaking-heat-treatment machine performs the powdering, heat-treatment and winding, and the stickers can then be cut off and ironed in a heat press.

What is the difference between DTF Station's R1, R2, XL2 and other models?

Our blogpost provides a comprehensive DTF printer selection guide, where you can read more about the difference between each type.

Which desktop DTF printer should I choose for small volume production?

Although the price of the cheapest A3 desktop DTF printers is tempting, based on our experience, we do not recommend DTF printers equipped with an Epson XP600 print head. This print head is not industrial, it was not developed for this purpose and, in addition to being extremely slow, it requires a lot of head cleaning, which is not very ink-saving. For beginnre level, choose a printer equipped with 1 or 2 Epson i1600 printhead, which is faster and of industrial quality, print more stably without drying out and with less head cleaning. In our offer, the DTF Station R2 Pro is an excellent solution for start-up companies for smaller capacity, or the redesigned R1 type, the cheapest solution, which will be launched at the end of 2025.

What kind of materials can be printed on with DTF technology?

Textiles made of cotton or synthetic fibers or a blend of these. In general, any textile, that can be ironed in a heat press and withstands high temperatures without damage or discoloration can be printed with DTF technology.

What is UV DTF technology?

UV DTF is a 4-color + white transfer printing process. It's similar to DTF printing, but it is not suitable for textiles, but for labeling, marking and decorating hard objects. You print with an ink which immediately dries by UV light on the surface of the foil, then the adhesive layer is laminated with another foil, not powder. The whole process is automatic in the roll-to-roll UV DTF printer. The end result is a sticker that can be applied manually to the surface of the object. Thanks to the extremely strong UV ink, the end result is a durable, UV-resistant, waterproof, scratch-resistant print and is also difficult to remove and withstands even strong scraping. It is suitable for smaller quantities of advertising items, unique gifts, labeling industrial equipment, outdoor markings, etc. ► Learn more in our blogpost!

What kind of materials and surfaces are suitable for UV DTF printing?

Any metal, wood, glass, ceramic and similar hard object that has a smooth, clean and dust-free surface.

2. Technical problems

Printing doesn't start.

Check if the cover is closed and if the computer–printer connection is correct.

The computer can't find the printer.

The connection is not adequate, you also need to check the IP address.

Abnormal print (incomplete, streaked)

Check the head test. If the head test is not correct, then there is a problem with the print head, in which case the first step is to clean the head, even several times in a row.

Check the ink supply as well, there should be ink in both the tank and the tubes.

Check the humidity, which is critically important and its minimum value is 40%. Any further steps, such as contacting the service, can only be taken if the humidity has been stabilized, even by means of a humidifier.

White ink supply is interrupted

Check the operation of the white ink circulation system.

The ink is flowing and pooling on the print.

Check if the preheating is switched on and set to the factory default value.

There's color mixing in the tank.

Check if ink circulation is turned off when printing.

The waste ink container is beeping.

It should be checked regularly and emptied in a time.

White paint settling problem

Pay attention to the storage of white paint, the bottle should be shaken daily.

Ghostly shifted print image

Printhead calibration is required.

Vertical slipping, media slipping

Media feed calibration is required.

Yellowing print

The temperature in the fuser is too high, or the print has stopped and stuck in the hot fuser.

What should I do when I'm not using the printer for a long period of time, several days?

Wet cap printhead storage is required, so the printhead must be filled with the factory solvent and stored at the parking station. It is very important that only the factory solvent is used. No other manufacturer, no other solvent or water can be used!!