DTF stands for Direct to Film, which refers to a heat transfer printing process commonly used in the garment industry.In this process, you create a design on the computer, send it to a DTF printer, and print it directly onto a special film. Then, you sprinkle the design with powder (using a powder shaker) and cure it with heat to set the colors. Finally, you heat-press the printed design onto the fabric.There is no need for plate-making, carving, or waste disposal during the process, and there are no minimum order requirements. This allows for true one-off production with zero inventory, making it a popular option for e-commerce businesses and custom garment factories.
UVDTF, on the other hand, stands for UV Direct to Film, which refers to a new printing process used in the advertising industry. Unlike DTF, UVDTF involves a simpler process: you create the design on a computer, print it with a UVDTF printer, and automatically laminate it after printingThe print is ready for immediate use, and the process does not require a powder shaker or heat curing. The design is applied directly to objects by hand or with a machine. UVDTF prints are vivid, bright, and have a raised, 3D effect. Like DTF, UVDTF also supports one-off production with zero inventory, making it an attractive option for custom gift manufacturers.
Differences in Applications:
- We mainly use DTF for fabrics, including cotton and polyester. Commonly for T – shirts and hoodies, also for bags, pillows, etc.
- We primarily use UVDTF for hard surfaces like glass, metal, acrylic, wood, ceramics, plastic, and even rigid cardboard. We can apply it to flat or curved surfaces, and typical applications include tea boxes, wine bottles, cosmetics, and signage.
Hardware Differences:
- DTF requires a combination of a printer and a powder shaker.
- UVDTF only requires a UVDTF printer, as there is no need for a powder shaker.
Ink Differences:
- DTF uses water-based ink.
- UVDTF uses UV oil-based ink. They equip the printer with UV lights for ink – curing during printing.
Printing Film Differences:
- DTF uses a single type of printing film, but there are variations such as single-sided, double-sided, cold peel, and hot peel films, depending on customer requirements.
- UVDTF uses two types of film, A-film and B-film, used in combination. A-film is the printing film that contains an adhesive layer, which also serves as the ink-absorbent layer. After printing, the B-film, which is a transfer film, is automatically laminated onto the A-film. The B-film protects the design and facilitates the transfer process, all done automatically by the UVDTF machine without manual lamination.