Impressions - April 2024 - 41

Film Transfer Sheets: Film transfer sheets are available either as precut
sheets in a variety of sizes or as rolls. The latter typically make
sense for larger, industrial-size orders. For most DTG printers, cut
sheets will be ideal.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Powder: After bonding with
the digitally printed ink, or inks in a design or logo, TPU creates
a permanent bond between the design and whatever kind of garment
is being decorated during the heat-pressing process. When
using TPU powder, it is recommended you employ a variety that
meets the internationally recognized health standards set by the
product-testing firm OEKO-TEX (oeko-tex.com) and employ
all necessary safety precautions, including wearing a face mask,
since the powder can easily travel through the air when applying.
Parchment Paper: Similar to the parchment paper used for baking,
heat-pressing parchment paper provides a great non-stick protective
barrier between the print and the hot surface of a heat press.
Heat Press: A heat press is used to bond the printed inks to the TPU
powder creating a custom film-transfer print. A heat press is also
used to adhere the finished transfer to whatever is being decorated.
Don't skimp on this piece of equipment! Be sure and use a quality
piece of equipment from a reputable manufacturer.
Working with Film-Transfer Sheets
Printing on a film-transfer sheet is easy and can be done by pretty
much any print shop provider already in possession of a compatible
DTG printer. Similar to traditional DTG printing, upon
completion of the design phase, the custom image is processed
using either a standalone RIP software or the garment-creator
software included with the printer.
As you are doing so, be aware that a significant difference at
this point will be the fact that the layering of the print will be
the reverse of what is used for DTG. Specifically, when creating
a film transfer, the CMYK layer is printed first, after which the
white ink base layer is put down. The reason for this is when it
comes time to do the actual decorating, the transfer will be placed
face down on whatever is being decorated, i.e. to " top " layer on
the transfer will be the bottom one on the fabric, in contrast to a
DTG print, in which the lower layers are printed first. Most RIP
software includes the ability to control print layering.
Film transfer sheets are single-sided, with the printable side having
a matte, textured finish. The matte, textured-finish sheet side faces
up on the platen during actual printing. When printing is complete,
carefully remove the film-transfer sheet from the platen and take
it to a location as far away as is practical from the printer to apply
the TPU powder. As mentioned earlier, TPU powder easily travels
in the air and can potentially damage nearby machinery, as well as
cause health concerns if inhaled. Again, wearing a mask is highly
recommended, especially when applying the powder by hand.
Once the TPU powder has been applied to the print, carefully
shake off any and all excess powder. The resulting image should
have an appearance of a powdered donut. Next, use a heat press
to cure the inks to the TPU powder. Times will vary based on the
temperature and location of the platen on the heat press. Once
complete, the transfer should be left to cool for a few minutes
after which it can be immediately applied to a garment or stored
for later use. Film transfers can be stored in a cool, dry location
for months if needed.
If applying immediately, first heat the garment to remove any
moisture. This is done by placing the garment, without the custom
print, on the heat press platen with a piece of parchment paper
on top and pressing for 10 to 15 seconds. Once the garment is
heated, remove the parchment paper and place the film transfer
in place on the garment. Place parchment paper on top of the
With DTF, the sky's the limit in terms of the kinds of
apparel you can decorate. Photo courtesy of Epson
transfer and press for the recommended time and pressure for the
fabric being used.
When complete, remove the parchment paper and promptly
remove transfer if using hot-peel film. If using a cold-peel, allow
the garment to cool until it reaches room temperature before
removing. Typical cool-down is 30 to 60 seconds.
Once the film is removed, the garment is finished and the printed
image should have a smooth finish, feeling much like a sticker. To
minimize the sticker feeling and maximize salability, reload the
garment onto the heat press with parchment paper on top and
press for an additional five seconds. The added heat will allow the
transferred image to adapt to the fabric texture.
Using a DTG Printer for DTF
Decorators using a DTG printer for DTF as well can increase revenue
and product offerings by leveraging the respective strengths of
both direct-to-garment printing and film-transfer. These include
the ability to offer customers a wider range of products and fabric
applications. Again, film transfers allow a decorator to expand its
product offerings to polyester, cotton/poly blends, tri-blends and
more-even products outside the textile space.
DTG-based prints, whether printed directly onto a garment or
onto a transfer sheet, can last the life of the fabric to which they are
being applied. Both printing options offer vibrant custom designs,
and each have their own set of benefits. Print shop providers will
find that customers appreciate having the ability to print their
custom design on a variety of garment types, regardless of fabric,
as well as other custom gifts. Being able to choose the appropriate
method, print shop providers expand customization options for
customers, increasing customer retention, turnaround time, and
revenue opportunities. 
Tim Check is a senior product manager at Epson America (epson.com/usa) with
over two decades of product development and product marketing experience in
the printing and digital-imaging industry. Working in the Professional Imaging
division at Epson America, Tim is responsible for the company's digital textile,
dye-Sublimation and direct-to-garment printing lines.
April 2024
P.41
http://www.oeko-tex.com http://www.epson.com/usa
Impressions - April 2024

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