With the rapid advancement of digital printing technology, DTF (Direct to Film) is rapidly becoming a popular choice for apparel customization and pattern transfer printing. Compared to traditional thermal transfer or screen printing, DTF offers higher color reproduction, wider material compatibility, and a lower production threshold. Throughout the DTF process, DTF film is undoubtedly one of the key materials that determines the final print quality.

Choosing high-quality DTF film not only enhances the clarity and color saturation of your designs, but also significantly improves the transfer's strength and durability. This article will delve into the definition and types of DTF film and provide six key factors to help you choose the most suitable DTF film, whether you're a novice entrepreneur or a seasoned printing expert.

What Is DTF Film?

DTF film is one of the core consumables in DTF printing technology. It is a polyester film specifically designed to carry pigment inks and hot melt adhesives. In the DTF process, a design is first printed on the DTF film. Then, through steps such as powdering, drying, and heat pressing, the design is transferred to fabric or other surfaces.

DTF film's main functions include:

Ink-carrying capacity: It must possess excellent adsorption and surface tension to prevent ink from spreading and blurring.

High-temperature resistance: During the heat pressing process, DTF film must withstand high temperatures without deformation or releasing harmful substances.

Easy peeling: After transfer, the film must peel off smoothly without leaving any adhesive or ink residue.

DTF film is typically made of PET (polyester) with a special surface coating to accommodate the inkjet system of DTF printers and the adhesion of hot melt adhesives.

What Are The Types Of DTF Film?

There are many types of DTF films available on the market, primarily categorized by the following dimensions:

✅ Classification by Peeling Method:
Cold Peel: Cools after transfer before peeling, resulting in cleaner peeling and suitable for high-volume production and complex designs.

Hot Peel: Peels immediately after hot pressing, offering high efficiency and suitable for fast production and simple designs.

✅ Classification by Coating:
Single-Sided Coated Film: Coated on only one side, suitable for standard DTF printing processes.

Double-Sided Coated Film: Coated on both sides to prevent curling and better suited for high-speed printing.

✅ Classification by Thickness:
Standard Thickness (approximately 75μm): Suitable for most printers and heat

press.

Thickened Film (90μm and above): More stable but slightly more expensive, suitable for high-precision designs.

✅ Classification by Surface Treatment:
Matte Film: Reduces glare and enhances pattern detail.Glossy Film: Provides more vivid patterns but is susceptible to glare.

Different types of DTF films vary in printing quality, ease of use, and cost. The choice should be based on your own production needs and equipment conditions.

How To Choose Best DTF Film? 6 Key Factors.

Choosing DTF film isn't simply a matter of "more expensive means better." It requires a comprehensive consideration of multiple dimensions. Here are six key factors to help you make an informed choice:

🎨 Color Reproduction
Color reproduction determines whether a pattern accurately and vividly represents the original design. High-quality DTF film has a uniform surface coating that effectively controls ink diffusion, resulting in highly saturated colors and distinct layers.

How to determine this?

Print a test chart containing an ICC color management profile, gradient bars, and a variety of spot colors. After transferring, compare the original image on screen with the transferred image to check for color accuracy and any color shifts. Specifically, check for the purity of light colors and the richness of dark colors.

💧 Ink Absorption
Ink absorption affects ink adhesion and drying speed on the film. A film with strong ink absorption quickly secures ink, preventing smearing and smearing, while also improving printing efficiency.

How to determine if ink absorption is good?

Print fine or small text and observe the edges of the transferred image. The smoother and sharper the edge, without jagged edges or burrs, the better the film's ink absorption control.

🌬️ Breathability
This is an often-overlooked but crucial characteristic, especially for garments that demand maximum comfort, particularly undergarments or athletic wear. A breathable film can reduce stuffiness.

How to determine if a film is breathable?

Hold the transferred image in front of your mouth and try blowing into it. If you can feel air flowing through, it indicates good breathability. You can also try it on to experience the difference in comfort compared to a regular cotton T-shirt.

🔓 Peelability
Peelability directly impacts production efficiency and finished product quality. High-quality DTF film should peel smoothly after hot pressing, leaving no adhesive residue, stringing, or image damage.

How to determine this?

After transferring the printed image, experience the peeling process yourself. High-quality film peels very smoothly, with virtually no pattern residue left on the PET film. 100% of the image should be transferred to the substrate.

⚪ No White Spots
White spots are a common quality issue in DTF printing, typically caused by uneven coating, static interference, or uneven distribution of hot melt ink. White spots not only affect aesthetics but can also cause the design to peel.

How to determine if a print is flawless?

After transferring a large, dark area (especially for designs requiring a large amount of white ink), carefully observe the surface under good lighting and from different angles. High-quality film transfers should produce a uniform, consistent color, without any tiny white spots.

🧲 Adhesion & Durability

Adhesion determines how firmly the pattern is transferred to the fabric, while durability relates to how well it holds up after washing, stretching, and abrasion. A film with high adhesion ensures the pattern won't crack, lift, peel, or fade significantly.

How to determine if the pattern is cracked?

Stretch the patterned fabric firmly to observe if there are any cracks. Machine wash and dry a sample several times to check for cracking, peeling, or fading.

Conclusion

Choosing high-quality DTF film not only improves printing results but is also crucial for ensuring production efficiency and customer satisfaction. From color reproduction to adhesion, from smooth peeling to the absence of white spots, every detail impacts the quality and durability of the finished product.

Choosing the best DTF film is not just a technical decision; it's a commitment to brand quality. We hope this analysis will help you find the film that's best for you among the many options, improve production efficiency, and create more competitive products.

If you have further questions or would like to obtain some DTF film test samples, Kingjet USA Team offers different types of DTF film and free sample testing services for your experience and review.

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