The Impact of Emerging Technology in the DTF Market: What You Need to Know
- Colin Marsh
- Mar 23, 2024
- 8 min read
In the land of DTF, things change quickly. Keeping an eye on the latest DTF technology can be tricky: in 2023 there were some huge developments, in 2024 we are going to see the DTF process increase its foothold in the textile and promotional item decoration industry with some older technologies becoming casualties along the way.
What are the most common questions I am asked on a daily basis? Some of the answers might shock you.
Resolute's investment in R&D is a hefty one, a lot of my time is spent burning the midnight oil writing reports, often on long haul overnight flights. Keeping an eye on DTF technology is key to Resolutes success and more importantly, our customers success. When a relatively new process or product emerges, like DTF, the trend is for many companies to jump on the bandwagon to make a quick buck, with little or no industry experience, while the print industries buying frenzy takes place. To help you navigate through the wild west of DTF, I have listed some of the most common questions I am asked on a daily basis, some of the answers might shock you. If you are planning on buying from Resolute I can put your mind at rest, we provide the most comprehensive warranties that include, travel and labour, and from February 2024 Print heads are covered for clogging on the R-Jet PRO DTF V range*.
Q - What is the cheapest ink that gives the best results?
The words best and cheap are not normally associated, if something is looking a lot cheaper there is normally a reason for this. You should stick to a large brand name DTF ink that contains no ethylene glycol. Cheaper inks are quite abrasive and will wear out print heads quicker and require head cleans on a regular basis.
Q - How long will the print heads last?
Print heads wear out naturally with use, the best comparison is to a car tyre. Eventually a print head wears out just like a car tyre, if a good quality ink is used in a piezo head it should last between 12 to 24 months, sometimes longer. Keep it clean, using the correct cleaning consumables and methods and it should not show any signs wear and tear within the first year. These figures are based on a 5 day week and printing a single shift. It is important to remember, most DTF printers will print in excess of 10m per hour, some 20m per hour. In comparison, they print many more metres a day than most other inkjet processes so the print head will need replacing as and when required. This is why a tyre needs replacing on a taxi much sooner than on a car used under normal circumstances. Head strikes, not using the printer on a regular basis and incorrect cleaning processes can cause irreparable damage and the print head could need changing sooner than the normal expected life span. The moral here is, look after your print heads correctly and they will last longer.
Q - What is included in the warranty and what is excluded.
A warranty is designed to protect the user against unexpected costs if a part fails unexpectedly within the warranty period. It is important to make sure you fully understand the warranty period and what is included or excluded. Below are some bullet points that cover the most basic points to research and the ones to look out for. Its worth remembering a warranty does not cover damage or miss use.
How long is the warranty period, 12 months is the industry standard. If a product is reliable this should be sufficient. I would have serious concerns if less than 12 months is offered and tread carefully.
What is excluded, very often wet parts (anything that the ink comes into contact with) will be excluded. Resolute includes wet parts on all new equipment purchased directly in 2024.
Wear and tear, fair usage and miss use is not generally covered. If a printer is used within the specified terms this should not be an issue within the 12 month period.
Travel expenses and labour, make sure these are covered within the warranty period. I have seen some companies exclude these quietly which can be expensive with todays fuel charges.
Can the warranty period be extended. If you can extend your warranty period, there will of course be a charge for this, but for piece of mind it will stop any unexpected bills to pay. You should make sure the extended warranty terms are the same as the original 12 months.
Consumables. Under warranty you will normally be expected to purchase the ink, film and powder from the original supplier or an authorised dealer. This is quite normal, it is impossible to diagnose faults if an untested product is being used. There is also a good chance that some DTF inks are not compatible to mix with some films. Different film coatings can cause issues with print heads causing them to clog unexpectedly.
Q - What training is included when the printer is installed.
A normal installation for a 60cm DTF printer with a finishing unit will take two days. Day one will be delivery and setting up the equipment. Day two is normally spent testing while you are given training.
Q - Is additional or advanced training available and at what cost.
You and your operators may need additional or advanced training for things like colour matching and using some of the advanced features of the RIP software. Variable data and automatic cutting are good examples. Make sure you can get extra training if required and on your premises. There will more than likely be a charge for this, but it is likely to outweigh the stress of trying to self learn the more advanced parts of DTF printing.
Q - Are the print heads covered against ink clogging.
Tread carefully here, different suppliers will have there own separate terms for print heads. In general a print head has no warranty once installed, but it should be covered for component failure, often related to as an out of box failure. The quality of ink used will have a contributing factor to, if and how a print head will wear out or worse clog up.
Starting in February 2024 Resolute will cover print heads against clogging in the R-Jet PRO DTF V4i & V8i systems. We believe this to be the only UK system to have a warranty against ink clogging when using a DTF ink costing less than £100 per litre.
Q - I purchased a printer from another company can you help me.
Unfortunately we cannot help under these circumstances. Our priority is on Resolute customers who have put their trust in our service and equipment.
DTF shimmers in 2024 with the best metallic films for DTF we have seen to date. Say hello to some serious DTF bling!
As the DTF process matures, more and more vinyl manufacturers are diversifying. Switching production to supply the DTF market means speciality DTF films are appearing, widening the use of DTF even further. In 2024 Resolute launched its new metallic range, which currently stands at 7 different true metallic films. The durability is also very good, solid metallic colours are machine washable at 30c as are the glitter versions. Tumble drying is not recommended especially when using the glitter versions.
Dance wear, theatre costumes and many more can now benefit from these new films.
The printing and application method for these films is quite simple but very different to regular DTF printing. Follow these steps and you should achieve good results from the start. Don't be tempted to cheat as it will degrade the quality.
Print your image in white ink only
Try not to use fine detail & thin lines, these can be difficult to peel
Reduce the level of white to approx 50% (check for bleed and reduce if required)
Cure & apply powder through the finishing unit as normal
Use the printed films the same day it is printed for best results
Cover the garment with silicone paper
Pre-press the garment to remove moisture
Position the metallic film onto the garment and cover with silicone paper
Press the metallic film for 15 seconds @ 150c medium pressure
Allow to rest for 20 minutes before attempting to peel (yes, 20 minutes!)
Peel the film back on itself (do not lift the film upwards)
Remove any flecks remaining with a lint removal roller
Second press covered with silicone paper for 5 seconds medium pressure
The results should be stunning. The 20 minute waiting time before peeling is due to a memory effect that occurs when the film it heated up. This adds to the flexibility and durability of the finished product. Leave the pressed garment to one side for 20 minutes before peeling, you can press all your garments and then peel them after the 20 minutes.
Are your printheads covered for clogging under warranty? From February 2024 Resolute's are!
Resolute introduce anti clogging Printhead warranty in February 2024
Are your print heads covered for clogging? from February 2024 Resolute's are.
At the time of publishing this blog, to the best of my knowledge, Resolute will be the first UK DTF company to offer a 24 month warranty on print heads against ink clogging when using a production purpose built R-Jet PRO DTF. How can we do this? Working with the top DTF ink manufacturers in the world, gives Resolute the confidence to offer warranty terms that go above and beyond the warranty of any other UK companies. The official launch of this amazing new warranty service was at Printwear & Promotion Live 2024, hop onto the Resolute stand B20 for further details. Any orders placed from February 1st 2024 will be eligible subject to the terms & conditions of the new print head warranty. If you already own an R-Jet PRO DTF and it is less than 12 months old, we may be able to include you in this new service subject to terms & conditions. Please contact sales for further information.
R-Jet PRO DTF UVi launches - take the ink to the product instead of feeding the product through the UV printer.
DTF UV transfers allow odd shaped products to be decorated that would otherwise be impossible to print onto. From simple small format signage to parts that are already installed, the R-Jet PRO DTF UVi produces flexible self adhesive transfers that can be applied in some amazingly difficult areas and to some products impossible to feed through a standard flat bed UV printer.
Gone are the days of complex jigs and the long setup times, our new UV printer produces high quality self adhesive transfers that leave only the ink on the product. No weeding or application tape is required, the process is as simple as importing your artwork, printing it, and then applying the ink to the product. This simple application video shows how quick and simple it is to decorate a product in seconds.
We hope to see you at The Print Show 2024, or sooner in our new purpose built showroom.
Please note: between February 1st 2024 & March 31st 2024 we will be transitioning into our new premises. Situated only 4 miles from our current units we hope to keep any disruption to a minimum. Our new address is
Resolute - Unit 5, Wingfield Court, Clay Cross S45 9JA.
Telephone numbers will remain the same, general office 01246 202686
All DDI numbers are the same.
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