Direct to Film (DTF) Printing Vocabulary Guide

This vocabulary guide will help beginners get familiar with DTF printing terminology. Having a strong grasp of these terms will make it easier to understand the process and troubleshoot common issues!

Core DTF Printing Terms

• DTF (Direct to Film): A printing process where designs are printed onto special film, coated with adhesive powder, cured, and heat-transferred to fabric.
• DTF Printer: A modified inkjet printer that prints on DTF transfer films instead of paper.
• DTF Film: Transparent PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheets where the design is printed before being transferred to fabric.
• DTF Ink: Specialized ink used in DTF printing, consisting of CMYK (for color) and white ink (for underbase on dark fabrics).
• Adhesive Powder (DTF Powder): A special powder applied to the printed design that melts and bonds the design to fabric when heated.
• Heat Press: A machine that applies heat and pressure to transfer the DTF design from film to fabric.
• Curing: The process of heating the adhesive powder to activate it before pressing onto a garment.
• Transfer Process: The final step of DTF printing where the design is heat-pressed onto the fabric and peeled off.

Design & Image Preparation Terms

• Resolution (DPI – Dots Per Inch): The quality of an image; 300 DPI is the standard for DTF prints to ensure crisp, high-quality details.
• CMYK: The color model used for DTF printing (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black).
• White Underbase: A layer of white ink printed behind colors to ensure vibrancy on dark fabrics.
• Transparency: A design with a clear background (usually in PNG format or AI) to avoid unwanted white or colored backgrounds in the print.
• Mirroring (Flipping the Design): Reversing the image before printing so it transfers correctly onto the fabric. Done in the RIP or print controller.

Vector vs. Raster

• Vector: Graphics made of paths (scalable without losing quality). Example: Illustrator files (AI, SVG, EPS). Best for logos and non-photographic artwork.
• Raster: Graphics made of pixels (quality depends on resolution). Example: PNG, JPEG, TIFF. Best for photos.

• Gang Sheet: A large sheet with multiple designs printed together to save film and ink.
• Color Profile (ICC Profile): A setting that ensures accurate color output from screen to print.

Printing & Production Terms

• Nozzle Check: A printer test to ensure that all colors are printing correctly without gaps or missing ink.
• Banding: Visible streaks or lines in a print caused by clogged nozzles or low ink levels.
• Capping Station: A part inside the printer that protects the printhead from drying out when not in use.
• Printhead: The component in a printer that sprays ink onto the DTF film.
• RIP Software (Raster Image Processor Software): Special software like Acrorip, CADlink, or EK Print Studio that controls print settings, white ink layers, and film positioning.

Overcure / Undercure

• Overcure: When the adhesive powder is overheated, making the transfer brittle.
• Undercure: When the adhesive powder isn’t fully melted, causing poor adhesion to fabric.

Cool Peel vs. Hot Peel

• Cool Peel: Letting the transfer fully cool before peeling (common in DTF).
• Hot Peel: Peeling immediately after pressing (some DTF films allow this).

• Final Press: A second heat press after peeling to seal the design and improve durability.

Fabric & Durability Terms

• Wash Fastness: Describes how well a print withstands washing without fading or peeling.
• Pre-Press: Pressing the garment before transfer to remove wrinkles and moisture.
• Ghosting: A faint or double image caused by film shifting during heat pressing.
• Cracking: When a print breaks or peels due to not enough pressure or poor adhesion.
• Hand Feel: The texture of a print when touched (DTF prints have a soft, flexible feel).
• Stretch Test: A method of checking durability by stretching the fabric after transfer.

Business Terms

• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): The smallest number of prints or transfers a supplier requires for an order.
• Cost Per Print (CPP): The total cost of printing one transfer, including film, ink, and powder.
• DTF Gang Sheet Pricing: Charging for prints based on how many designs fit on a single sheet of DTF film.
• Wholesale DTF Transfers: Selling pre-printed DTF transfers instead of pressing them onto fabric.
• Heat Press: Used for pressing design to fabric. Accurate heat and pressure are very important.

Need help with DTF printing or custom transfers? Arizona Ink is here to help — contact us anytime!