Jun. 05, 2025
DTF printing has been gaining increasing attention for its impressive performance in digital printing area. To conduct a DTF print, you need to print your design on PET film with specialized ink, and then heat press the design onto the fabric.
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Many people are confused about the type of DTF printer ink and bothered to find the best DTF ink among loads of options. To help you save time, this article offers complete guidance about what kind of ink is used for DTF. Let's get started!
DTF ink, or Direct-to-Film ink, is a specialized type of ink used in the Direct-to-Film printing process. This process involves printing designs onto a special film, which is then transferred onto various fabrics or materials using a heat press. DTF ink is designed to adhere well to the film and, subsequently, to the fabric, ensuring vibrant and durable prints.
DTF ink contains pigments, resins, and other ingredients that attach to a variety of surfaces and create brilliant, long-lasting prints. The exact ingredients of DTF ink may vary depending on the manufacturer and the composition of the ink. Generally speaking, the following are some of the standard ingredients:
When you are looking for the most suitable DTF ink, here are a few factors for consideration:
Consider the type of fabric you will be printing on, and then choose DTF inks designed for the intended fabric. This will help to ensure optimal adhesion and durability.
The DTF ink you choose should be compatible with your printer. Mismatch may lead to operation abnormalities.
If you opt for xTool Apparel Printer, then xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink is definitely your priority.
It's vital to choose ink with a viscosity appropriate for your printer and application, or the adhesion effect can be unsatisfactory.
Higher-quality inks produce brighter, more vivid colours that are less prone to fade over time. When printing designs with precise color requirements, it’s critical to use an ink that provides accurate, consistent colours of multiple choices to guarantee the versatility in your designs.
Try to look for ink certified to be washer and dryer safe. Inks that are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling are vital for generating long-lasting prints that can survive wear and tear.
Choose the DTF ink that is easy to apply and produces consistent results. Inks designed for easy cleanup are more recommended.
The cost of ink is surely worth consideration. For anyone on a budget, just select the ink that can strike a balance between cost and high printing quality.
To wrap up, when selecting DTF inks, based on application scenarios, you should consider ink's compatibility with your printer and intented fabric. Inks with appropriate viscosity, better durability and wider color range are worth trying. If you are on a budget, just go for a more cost-effective option.
xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink is CMYK+W ink, and uses white ink as the basic color that constitutes the background of the film. It is water-based and matches perfectly with xTool Apparel Printer, and works well on a large variety of fabric types. If you are interested in DTF printing, the duo of xTool Apparel Printer and xTool Selected Apparel Printer Ink stands as your best option.
No, make sure that only DTF ink is used during printing. This is because non-DTF inks cannot withstand high temperatures, and can cause problems when you’re transferring the transfer onto the garment. Regular types of inks can also not adhere well to the film, which means you may end up with low quality prints.
No, DTF ink and sublimation ink are not the same. While people use both kinds of ink in digital printing, their characteristics and intended uses vary.
DTF ink is printed onto a specific film and coated with DTF powder, and then heat-pressed onto the final substrate for direct-to-film printing. Sublimation printing uses sublimation ink, which is printed on transfer paper before being heated up and transferred to a polyester or other synthetic material substrate.
The transfer medium of dtf ink is film rather than paper. The process of DTF requires powder and film, and subimation ink only needs paper. Moreover, the transfer temperatures of these two types of ink are also different.
DTF ink lifetime depends on formulation, storage, and use. DTF ink typically has a shelf life of 12 to 24 months when maintained properly, such as in a cool, dry location away from UV or direct sunlight.
The longevity of printer ink depends on variables including frequency of usage, printer maintenance, and printing circumstances. If the ink is not properly cared for or kept, it may dry up, clog the printhead nozzles of the printer, and lead to a shorter lifetime.
It’s not a wise idea to mix different types or brands of DTF ink. Mixing inks may change their colour, viscosity, and drying time, which can influence print quality and durability. What's worse, using different DTF inks may lead to clogs that can block the normal operation of DTF printing machine.
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Here is a compilation of frequently asked questions we receive about DTF printing.
Does DTF printing require a lot of printer maintenance?
DTF printing still requires the same maintenance that DTG needs. Just not as often. DTG ink does not clog up as bad and when clogs do happen, they are a lot easier to clean. DTF white ink still separates and will need a daily shake. Best form of maintenance is regular printing. If you print every 2 days, all you will need to do is shake the ink and run an automatic printhead clean before printing.
How much does is to cost to print an A3 sheet?
At the current rate you will roughly spend £0.23 for dtf powder + £0.16 on white ink + £0.14 on CMYK ink + £0.55 on dtf film sheet = £1.08.
Can I print on DTF film with DTG ink?
No, DTF printing requires special DTF ink. Printing with DTG ink on DTF film will make the ink run and mix with white and CMYK.
Can I put DTF ink into my DTG printer?
Yes, you can print shirts on your DTG printer using DTF ink. It’s not as good as specialized DTG ink but it will work fine. You will still need to pretreat your garments using your preferred pretreatment solution.
What printer do you recommend for DTF conversion?
We recommend Epson L. It has been well tested with DTF inks and performs well. Replacement parts are very cheap and readily available. This printer is well documented and has been used for DTG printing for many years. It is easy to convert and does not need any special parts. Only downside is that it’s slower compared to other printers like P600.
Which printers can be used for DTF printing?
Any older printer that prints with 5 or more colours. Older printers will be compatible with most types of print rip software and will have refillable ink systems. Additional colours will allow to add white ink. Some of such printers are: P400, P600, P800, , R, R, R, R, R, R etc.
Do you need special software?
Yes, you will need to use rip software such as acrorip in order to print white and colour at the same time and choke white layer by a few pixels so that you don’t end up with a thin white outline.
What is the DTF washability like?
Washability is fine providing you use quality + powder and following correct application procedures. It certainly beats laser white toner transfers. 40C washing temperature is recommended.
What does DTF feel like?
The feel would depend on the type of powder you are using and the thickness of your ink layer. More ink will absorb more powder and make the overall result feel thicker. Our soft and stretchy DTF powder has better hand than traditional vinyl or other types of heat transfer. It’s elastic and soft to the touch. It is not softer than DTG prints however.
What happens if I leave my DTF printer inactive for a long time?
It will clog up just like a DTG or a regular inkjet printer. If you plan on leaving your printer off for a few weeks or months, you will need to flush the lines, clean your printhead and leave it soaking in cleaning solution.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of water based pigment ink. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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