What is DTF Printing? Everything You Need to Know About Direct to Film Processes…

DTF printing is revolutionising the garment printing industry. Fast, versatile, and capable of printing on a wide variety of fabrics, and now harder substrates through DTF UV technologies, it’s quickly becoming the go-to method for professional decorators.

At Resolute, we were among the first to bring DTF technology to the UK. Whether you're just getting started or looking to upgrade your print setup, here's everything you need to know about DTF printing, from how it works, to the equipment you need.

https://www.resolute.ink/dtfprinter

What is DTF Printing?

DTF stands for Direct to Film. Unlike DTG (Direct to Garment), which prints directly onto fabric, DTF involves printing your design onto a special film which is then transferred to the garment using heat and pressure. This allows for vibrant, full-colour prints on cotton, polyester, blends, and more, all with no weeding, pre-treatment, or screen setup required.

How Does DTF Printing Work?

Here’s a basic step-by-step overview:

1. Print your design using a specialist DTF printer (like our R-Jet Pro DTF range) onto DTF film.

2. Apply DTF adhesive powder while the ink is still wet.

3. Cure the powder with a heat press or curing oven.

4. Heat press the transfer onto your garment.

5. Peel the film (cold or hot, depending on the film used) and your garment is ready to wear.

Why Choose DTF?

• Incredible Versatility: Print on virtually any fabric type, cotton, polyester, tri-blends, leather and more. DTF UV machines also allow you to print onto harder substrates, such as bottles, mugs etc.

• Cost-Effective Short Runs: Perfect for one-offs or small batches.

• Sharp, Vibrant Colours: White under base support for stunning contrast.

• Ideal for Complicated Designs: Unlike screen printing, DTF is ideal for prints with complex, intricate artwork using many colours.

• Fast Production: No need for pre-treatment or multiple screens.

• Soft Feel & Durability: Stretchable, long-lasting prints that customers love.

• No Need for Weeding: As DTF is a simple printing process, there’s no need to weed, unlike vinyl printing.

Why Resolute?

At Resolute, we’re not just selling machines, we’re innovating the DTF space. We provide production-level solutions like the R-Jet Pro DTF series, as the well as ideal start-up packages involving the CraftyJet or R-Jet Pro DTF Mini, all backed by local support, training and industry-leading consumables.

Whether you're looking to scale your garment printing business or explore a new revenue stream, DTF printing with Resolute makes it easy to get started, and even easier to grow.

Want to see our machines in action? Book a live demo using our online form, email sales@resoluteink.co.uk or call 01246 202686 to experience the power of DTF printing for yourself.