Impressions - January/February 2025 - 32

Decorators of all kinds are adopting direct-tofilm
(DTF) as a means of improving their bottom
line. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we look
at the nuts-and-bolts of DTF and the question
of large print orders. In part 2 we look at the
advances now being made in the areas of DTF
special effects and purchasing options/decisions.
I
write these words in the wake of the
2024 Impressions Expo in Fort Worth,
Texas, and the timing couldn't be more
appropriate. Why? Because of the absolute
tidal wave of direct-to-transfer, or DTF,
tech that was on display there.
Custom DTF providers, DTF machines
large and small, education sessions on everything
from DTF design to pricing and
marketing, it seems DTF is everywhere
these days.
And why not? As is the case with many
cutting-edge technologies, DTF proved problematic
at first. However, it didn't take long
for materials suppliers, equipment suppliers
and the DTF community as a whole to get
many, if not most, of the kinks worked out.
The result is a decorating methodology as
reliable as any other methodology out there.
Not only that, but many of the limitations,
as it were, of going with DTF have
also become less of an issue as the DTF ink
and systems manufacturers of world continue
to hone their craft. Case in point: the
growing automation of the process, from
transfer creation to actual pressing, allowing
DTF to increasingly nip at the heels of
high-volume screen printing.
The growing number of custom DTF
transfer providers out there also makes it
incredibly easy to get started in this kind
of decorating, thanks to a combination of
increasingly sophisticated online design services
and faster and faster delivery times.
Get yourself a quality heat-press, create an
account with a reputable custom DTF manufacturer,
and you're ready to go.
" DTF transfers have been a game changer
for hundreds of thousands of businesses, "
said Michael " Ninja Mike " Nemeroff, CEO
of custom DTF provider Ninja Transfers, describing
the technology's continuing growth.
" DTF has been the ultimate superpower for
our industry and beyond, allowing businesses
to customize almost any product, any material,
any color, in any location. If a customer
wants 10 different designs on 10 different
products/materials and 10 different locations,
it doesn't matter. "
" As advancements in color accuracy emerge
and some of the brightest minds in the industry
focus on refining the process, enhancing
both tactile feel and printing efficiency,
DTF transfers are expected to capture an
ever-larger share of the decoration market, "
agreed Dave Conner of custom DTF provider
Attendees at last fall's Impressions Expo
in Fort Worth, Texas, check out one of
the many new pieces of direct-to-transfer
equipment on display. Photo courtesy of
Impressions Expo
STAHLS' Transfer Express, whose company
also manufacturers some of the industry's
most advanced heat presses.
Along these same lines, Nate Sprowell,
vice-president of custom DTF printing at
613 Originals emphasized the aforementioned
low barriers to entry and continued
innovation as key drivers of the technology's
success. " Before DTF, the industry often
required hefty investments in equipment,
materials and space, or hitting high order
minimums to make production worthwhile.
Now, anyone with a heat press and a creative
vision can start small and grow profitably, "
Sprowell said.
" As the landscape continues to evolve, DTF
will find its way into other sectors and business
models, " agreed Zac Biberstine, director
the future is now for
dIrect-to-fIlm prInting and the
decorated-apparel industry
By AdAm Cort,
Content DireCtor
Impressions - January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - January/February 2025
