Impressions - March 2025 - 27

In Part 1 of this two-part series on the growing
importance of direct-to-fi lm (DTF) printing,
we looked at how DTF works and the issues
involved in handling larger print orders. In
Part 2 we look at some of the advances being
made in the area of DTF special eff ects and
purchasing options/decisions.
A
rguably, beyond the issues related to
larger print orders, as discussed in Part
1, the other leading concern when it
comes to DTF decorating is the " feel " associated
with it compared to a well-executed
screen-print or sublimation image. Th e reason
for this is the fact that, in contrast to
sublimation or screen-printing (in which the
ink is absorbed into the weave of the fabric
on which it is being placed), a DTF image
sits atop the fabric, so to speak. Th e result
can be a kind of " plastic " feel and compromised
breathability, especially if the design
in question is a large one.
Th at said, while there's no denying DTF
decoration cannot yet quite match the feel
of those other decorating methods, the effect
can be successfully mitigated through
things like savvy design and pressing twice
instead of just once. Specifi cally, by including
plenty of open areas, or " air spaces, " in
your design, you can lessen the " plastic-ness "
and breathability issues that affl ict larger, less
carefully crafted images.
Th e DTF transfers now being produced
by such top-quality custom DTF providers
as Ninja Transfers, STAHLS' Transfer Express
and 613 Originals also feature a much
better feel, or hand, than in years past, to the
point where such issues are fast becoming
almost nonexistent.
Complementing the problem of feel is the
issue of durability and the fact that low-quality
DTF prints, in particular, have had a tendency
to not hold up over the course of repeated
washings. Th e good news here is that, as is
the case with feel, a well-made transfer these
days is more than capable of standing up to
literally scores of repeat washings. Again, this
is especially the case if the transfers you're
working with are being sourced through a
reputable custom transfer provider.
" It's been amazing to see how much softer
DTF has gotten over time, " said Michael
" Ninja Mike, " Nemeroff , CEO of custom
DTF provider Ninja Transfers, describing
the industry's advances in this area. " Th ey
are also durable and stretchy at the same
time, which is great to see. We've worked on
over 100 combinations of the most optimal
fi lm, ink and TPU powder [i.e., the adhesive
powder that allows a design to adhere
to its substrate] to create a product that is
soft, matte fi nish and durable up to 100-plus
washes when line dried and 60-plus washes
when put in a dryer. "
Along these same lines, Dave Conner
content director at custom DTF provider
STAHLS' Transfer Express, said his company
employs a " proprietary supply chain of inks
and carriers for superior color consistency
and print fi nish, " built to avoid inconsistent
supply-chain issues and improve hand feel.
" We are continually innovating to provide
our customers with the most technologically
advanced transfers, " Conner said of the company's
eff orts to create its brand of transfers.
" Advances in inks and powder have made
transfers feel softer and more integrated with
the fabric, " agreed Nate Sprowell, vice-president
of custom DTF printing at 613 Originals.
" While DTF doesn't yet match the feel
of something like discharge screen printing
quite yet, the gap is closing fast. "
SpEcIaL EfFeCtS
aNd pOwDeR
IsSuEs
Historically, another couple of limitations,
as it were, associated with DTF have been
1) the inability to incorporate special efrfi
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Impressions - March 2025

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