Starting a custom clothing business can be appealing for creative types or those looking to start a new venture or side hustle. This is in part due to a marked increase in demand for custom shirts featuring anything from a simple design to a business logo or even a custom message from one person to another. Printing technology is increasingly sophisticated and, as a result, gives one the ability to manufacture a custom design without large overhead or a complicated manufacturing system. One of the necessary elements in a complete DTF (Direct to Film) system is a DTF printer, a DTF Oven, and a press. The DTF Oven, DTF printer and a shirt press create a system for producing finished custom apparel.
The Basics of DTF Printing
Direct to Film technology uses printing to create a design that is transferred to a textile substrate, e.g. a shirt or any other clothing. The printed design first must be printed onto a film. Potters Adhesive Powder to the design to form a powder adhesive. This step is remedial to the transfer being cured. The design is then placed onto the final substrate to which the design is to be printed and cured using heat and pressure. This process is ideal for large custom apparel orders as well as small custom orders.
What is a DTF Oven?
After design prints and powder adhesive is applied, the transfer is not complete. The powder adhesive needs to be cured. This is where a DTF Oven becomes essential to the process. The DTF Oven provides heat to powder adhesive and helps create a transfer layer to bond the design to fabric. This layer helps the adhesive bond during pressing. The situation and environment recommend the exact time and temp.
Choosing a DTF Oven
The size of your business and the number of transfers that you create should determine your choice of curing equipment. A small business or creator may benefit from a compact unit, for larger businesses, a bigger and faster curing unit may be necessary. Other important factors can be the consistency of heating, the internal volume of the unit, the control of temperatures, ease of use, and safety. Curing equipment enhances your production needs without creating more difficulties.
Adhesive Powder Application
After the design is printed on transfer film, adhesive powder is applied to the wet ink. The powder needs to completely cover the printed area for a good bond during heat application. If the powder coverage is uneven, there are likely to be weak spots or less than desirable results. Small businesses may do this step by hand; however, for higher volume businesses, this step may be done using automated powdering equipment. Either way, the quality of the final transfer is greatly improved if a clean work area is maintained and the powder is applied with care.
Film to Fabric
Best dtf printer: Once the printed design has been set, it is now ready to be applied to the fabric of the garment. The transfer is carefully placed on the fabric item of choice, whether a shirt, hoodie, tote bag, etc. It is important to note that even the best design printed on transfer film looks bad if placed on the fabric item of choice in the wrong location. Many businesses use different guides or measurement tools to get the design centered and placed in the same location on the fabric item of choice. This is also useful for jobs with multiple printed fabric items with the same design.
What is a Shirt Press
A shirt press is a heat press that is used to transfer printed designs to the fabric of garments. It applies a combination of temperature and pressure to activate the adhesive and bond the design to the fabric. The shirt press operator places the garment to be printed on the press, places the transfer in the appropriate location, and follows the pressing instructions provided. Once the pressing step is complete, the transfer film is removed using the designated peel method. The garment now has a printed design that is permanent.
Selecting a Suitable Heat Shirt Press
Shirt presses come in many varieties, from the simple to the sophisticated. When selecting a shirt press, think about the size of design you typically use, as well as, the quantity of shirts you plan on making. If you plan on making designs with large graphics, a shirt press with a large pressing area is a consideration. Basic shirt designs do not require as large of a pressing area. For ease of use, shirt presses with digital controls, timers, and more can assist users of all levels in a more efficient pressing process.
Why is Pressure Important
Heat alone does not make a successful transfer. A press provides a necessary amount of pressure to make a proper transfer. If pressure is not enough, the adhesion will be weak. If pressure is too much, it will damage the garment or make an undesirable mark. A good press will provide the same amount of pressure throughout the working area. The best way to find the correct pressure is to follow the directions of the material manufacturer.
Heat and Temperature Explained
Transferring can require different heat for different garments and/or different transfer materials. High temperatures can affect different fabrics made from different materials (cotton, polyester, etc.). Some fabrics made from blends can be especially difficult for a transfer. This is why it is important to not think one setting works for every fabric.
Caring for the DTF Oven
Like your DTF Printer, your Curing Unit also requires regular maintenance and cleaning. If production is high, adhesive powder can leave a residue that builds in the unit. This will affect the working environment and the machine’s performance. Maintenance should be done according to the equipment’s manufacturer recommendations. Operators should regularly inspect the unit to ensure the unit is functioning safely. Further, the performance of the unit will be more reliable.
Conclusion
Many parts need to come together to create an effective DTF production system. Artwork is printed by the DTF printer, the DTF Oven adheres the powder, and the shirt press applies the design to the shirt. The pieces of equipment that you choose based on your production needs can create efficient and effective production. However, DTF production systems require more than just the equipment. Failure to consider other factors such as the quality of your artwork, machine maintenance, thorough testing, settings and the level of detail, all play an important role. DTF printing can be a great way to bring custom apparel to customers, online stores, and your own personal projects when done right.
