DTF Printing Process EXPLAINED (and FAQs Answered!)

The DTF Printing Process Explained | Silhouette School Still trying to figure out what DTF is..and what the process is like? Here I explain the DTF printing process and address the most FAQ on DTF MORE INFO & IMPT Links👇
What is Direct to Film Printing?! DTF is a printing process to create full color t shirt transfers that are weedless and cutless. A layer of ink is laid down on a clear DTF film, topped by a layer of white ink which is then covered in DTF powder. When the powder is cured it will later act as an adhesive when it's applied to any color or type of fabric garment with heat. After heating, the DTF film is peeled away leaving the transfer on the shirt.
🌟SHOP Desktop DTF Printers and Bundles:
❤️ Roland BN-20D DTF Printer and Bundles: shrsl.com/3w35i
❤️ Uninet 100 DTF Printer: shrsl.com/3wdj8
❤️ Prestige A3+ DTF Printer Bundles (includes it all!): shrsl.com/3ok9p
⭐️⭐️Exclusive Silhouette School DTF Printing Offer: Get any Prestige A3+ Printer Bundle and get 200 sheets of DTF film FREE! ($129 value) Use this link shrsl.com/3on1u and the code SILSCHOOLDTF
Direct to Film Videos, Tutorial and Other Helpful Resources👇
✅What is DTF? www.silhouette...
✅How does DTF fit into my Silhouette t-shirt business www.silhouette...
✅How does DTF work? • Video
✅What do I need to get started DTF printing? (Supply List) www.silhouette...
✅What’s the best DTF desktop printer? shrsl.com/3ok9p afil
✅How much does it cost for the full Direct to Film printer set up? www.silhouette...
⭐️ Roland BN-20D DTF Videos: • Roland BN-20D DTF Prin...
⭐️ Prestige A3+ DTF Videos: • DTF Beginners: Prestig...
🎥 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR KZbin CHANNEL! It really helps us bring you more craft tutorials!! 👉 / @silhouetteschool
#dtfprintingprocess #directtofilm #dtfprinting #dtfprinter #prestigea3printer #prestigedtf #tshirtbusiness #transferprinter #dtf #rolandbn20d #rolanddtf
#silhouetteschool​ #sublimation #heatpress #silhouettebusiness

[@bugak09]

We have this printer for our small business. Its always clogged, tons of ink & paper was wasted at least every 2 months and we are dealing with their customer service. Good thing we got insurance and already ending soon. We wasted our $8000+ we just don’t how to deal afterwards. Save your money and not to get this type of printer which we were aware it was new in the market before.

[@juliarays1271]

sorry to hear about your troubles. which printer was it?

[@shlomitgueta]

Thank you for your comment.Ivalmost make a mistake

[@CatNickelsen]

That was a great explanation. Thank you so much.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yemarican]

Will the print last just as long as a screen print or will it fade and deteriorate faster? what would you compare the DTF to .. water based screen printing or plastisol screen printing? Thank you.

[@vidili68]

Hi there Good job have good information. See you next time.

[@jeannetteceballos]

You mentioned cold peel makes the prints more vibrant. What are your thoughts on the Roland DTF since it's a hot peel?

[@johnjen8352]

Please do a wash test video

[@CaroleBentley]

With the second press do you also press for the same time amount? what is the care for the end user? TY!

[@FastcarsNGS]

I live in a apartment and I’m wanting to buy a DTF printer. I am worried about the fumes, so I was wondering what kind of ventilation you have on top of your oven?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You would need a filter. There are some ovens that have a built in filter like this which would save you space shrsl.com/4e3ku

[@settlece]

cancer from the powder kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPMaqh3iZ14ftE be safe

[@Damian-Church-NZ]

great info.. thank you..

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You're welcome!

[@JamesPoppe-j3g]

Leonor Center

[@JarredStender-j8o]

Emma Mall

[@BenedictBruce-y3r]

Warren Divide

[@pattiwienken2055]

That is all expensive machines I can’t afford. ☹️

[@Grant_S_M]

I just got a BN-20A and it's already out of style! 😭

[@SilhouetteSchool]

I LOVE The BN-20A! You're going to get such great use out of it! We have a whole section of the blog dedicated to it here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/roland-bn-20a-and-versaworks-tutorials.html

[@Grant_S_M]

@@SilhouetteSchool Thank you! Your videos are excellent :)

[@chant3ller]

🤣🤣🤣

[@gerilynne1955]

Wow. It's amazing what our world has out there for crafting.

[@selvestravicius]

Exactly what i was looking for. Thanks you

[@glambynicole93nicolemartin5]

Do you need a specific software to print these designs? Like cadlink?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

The RIP software you need for any of the printers I mentioned here is included.

[@red2965]

How much for this type of system? I've been doing the subliminal and not really happy with this process. Bear in mind that I'm not trying to make a business, just want a better quality like a airbrush effect.

[@red2965]

Ok, I just blogged it, and we'll no.way am.i giving that much to print, say a dozen tee's.

[@OrethaMceniry-p1m]

Dashawn Freeway

[@rayparmer1740]

What are the best dtf printers on Amazon?

[@DewarAldrich-s3u]

Halvorson Extension

[@LeoFuentes-c5d]

Vandervort Trail

[@sgfgfg-h9q]

Julio Rapid

[@AliceAdam-l7s]

Kathryne Forge

[@AshleyTilt-b4k]

Kozey Course

[@harrydoroba4699]

I have been told that.... Should the printer sit for more than 24 hours without use it will block, and will require a lot of manual cleaning, and oftentimes dampener replacements is this true?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes this is true for all DTF printers..they need to be run daily even if it's just a nozzle check

[@jenpena704]

I have a dtf prestige a3 how do I add the white Ink on the back of the print ?

[@GeraldManhart-f1u]

Marie Court

[@JerroldBamberg-k9h]

Eloy Court

[@laughingbird]

Does this blend into the tshirt and can it withstand washing?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

This printer prints DTF transfers. Transfers sit on top of the shirt.

[@GaryHernandez-s8b]

Fadel Key

[@nadiava1553]

What is the difference in maintaining a dtf vs a sublimation printer?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

There is no maintenance on a sublimation printer.

[@nixx-boxed-you-yt9771]

Hi Melissa! I seriously only buy equipment if you have videos on them 😂 I love you! quick question - my Roland BN 20D prints a white boarder around the print. Do you know why? I set the offset on the white to -3 as suggested. Should I do more? Thank you so much!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, does your graphic have a white border on it?

[@nixx-boxed-you-yt9771]

@@SilhouetteSchool no 😩 I made the image in Canva and exported with a transparent background. Maybe it’s Canva?

[@stephaniewebster6166]

@@nixx-boxed-you-yt9771 Its not calibrated properly.... this takes time and trial and error or some help. I dont have a machine but i remember my supplier saying that

[@brendamendoza4975]

No thank to much n complicated ill stick to my ink jet printer lol

[@trishgonzales4570]

Great explanation ok answered my question.

[@alcidesIII]

Hi!!! I can't get to print the white ink from a PDF file. The art has white but when I import it to versawork it is like "unfilled" so, when it is duplicated to get the "white base" only the cmyk y turned white. Do I have to make it myself? Thanks!!! 😊

[@feliciaarenas3191]

Hi were you able to get help with this? I’m driving myself insane trying to find a video with helpful instructions or text.

[@alcidesIII]

@feliciaarenas3191 well I use coreldraw, my solution was to duplicate the object and make the base myself. Then export both files, one the white and the art itself. Import them to versawork and after settings group them then print. Hope this helps.

[@MICRAZYVIDA]

I see your using mac What RIP software you recommend for mac?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, I prefer to design on my Mac but use the RIP softwares on a Windows computer.

[@ajochoa6216]

Is it s different machine that makes the decal style transfers? Where you can put it on a mug or tumbler? I saw a dtf video where it went straight to the mug like permanent vinyl instead of a heat transfer style..

[@tralosum9854]

Please let know if you have to print everyday to keep the white film from clogging the machine?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes, I would highly suggest at the very least you print a nozzle check daily. This is for all DTF printers.

[@LifeOfThePartyEnt]

What if the ink dries before the powder is cured? What can we do?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You can't allow the ink to dry before the powder is applied or the powder won't stick. If that is happening, you'll want to print in smaller sections.

[@laurakate1992]

You say you don't recommend a heat press but surely irons produce the same gas?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! For curing- I recommend the oven with the filter. For application (after the film has been cured) you can use an iron or a heat press.

[@sashanealsmith6266]

Can a Epson sublimation printer be used to do dtf?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Not truly - for DTF you need to be able to print white

[@starn4561]

whats your opinon on dtf with an inkjet printer?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Here's a video on that.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKbCon16jKxghsk

[@MrDeYoung-l5o]

Hi, Do you ship to New Zealand?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

I am not a reseller

[@MamaBrookeB]

What DTF printer would you recommend for a starter?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Check out this blog post! www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2023/02/desktop-dtf-printer-comparison-roland.html

[@ananapa.miller4188]

Hi Melissa , this machine require daily maintenance like A3 Prestige ?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Check out this video about the BN-20Ds maintenance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHKchGOvf9iAmdU

[@mamasaenzcreationsbretinas8136]

What is the difference between this and the bn 20 and bn 20 a

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi. This explains the differences between the BN-20D and the BN-20/A - www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2023/01/roland-bn-20-vs-bn-20d-dtf-printer-side.html

[@jadams2013]

Does the adhesive powder only stick to the ink?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes

[@jadams2013]

@@SilhouetteSchool thank you.

[@DanielleMendoza-mg2tc]

Where do you get the purifying oven

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi - the curing oven and air filter can be found here: shrsl.com/40bzk

[@deloriswhite1309]

Which DTF printer you prefer using? 🤔

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! I have a comparison blog post here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2023/02/desktop-dtf-printer-comparison-roland.html

[@Foreverblessedhands]

Hello again 👋 which dtf would you suggest? Can any transfers be used on a cup and can I use dtf with my surface laptop or I need a desktop?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Check out out printer comparisons here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/melissas-fleet-of-printers-for.html You have a ton of great options to meet your needs.

[@melvonmitchell]

Hello. So does this mean I'll have to purchase white ink for the BN20d? Also is the DTF option an addition to the BN20d's capabilities or is it strictly for DTF prints.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes you need White ink for the BN-20D. The BN-20D is a DTF printer. It also has a cutter in it.

[@DerekRC]

I've found DTF to have a plastic feel when I applied a image. Wasn't impressed at all from the company I bought it from. Nothing at all the feel of HTV or plastisol inks 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Did you do a second press after peeling off the film?

[@ida6570]

Why do my transfers create moisture? Almost oily, and when I pressed, it had wet marks. I have the AA prestige a3 +R

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, you'll want to cure your transfer to evaporate the moisture from the film. You can put the transfer under a heat press to bake the moisture out or run it through a conveyor dryer.