DTF Buying Guide: Film, Ink, Powder & DTF vs DTG
Plain-language guides to buying DTF (direct-to-film) supplies, based on the products Print Works actually sells. Jump to: Hot vs cold peel film · Choosing DTF ink · Choosing DTF powder · DTF vs DTG
Hot peel vs cold peel DTF film
DTF film is the carrier your design is printed on before it is powdered, cured and pressed onto a garment. The main choice is when you peel the film off after pressing.
Hot peel – the film is peeled right away, while still hot, immediately after heat pressing. That removes the cool-down wait and speeds up production, which is why it suits high-volume garment decoration.
Cold peel – the film is left to cool 30 seconds to 1 minute before peeling. Print Works cold peel film is built for strong color transfer, a soft hand feel and excellent wash-fastness.
Pressing. All Print Works film is double matte. Press at 280–300°F for 10 seconds, then do a second press for 5–10 seconds. Hot peel film is peeled immediately; cold peel film should cool 30 seconds to 1 minute before peeling.
Double-sided film. All Print Works Pro rolls are double-sided, which improves tracking and stability in the printer. On the 36 in roll the dual-sided coating also helps prevent adhesive buildup on printer platens.
Roll vs sheets. Rolls are for roll-fed DTF printers; pick the width that matches your printer. Cut sheets (13 × 19 in, 100 per pack) are for DTF printers that use cut-sheet film.
| Film | Size | Peel | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro DTF Cold Peel Film – Double-Sided | A3 11.7 in × 100 m | Cold | $60.00 |
| Pro DTF Cold Peel Film – Double-Sided | 13 in × 100 m | Cold | $75.00 |
| Pro DTF Cold Peel Film – Double-Sided | A1 23.4 in × 100 m | Cold | $95.00 |
| Pro DTF Hot Peel Film – Double-Sided | 13 in × 100 m | Hot | $114.99 |
| Pro DTF Hot Peel Film – Double-Sided | 14.5 in × 100 m | Hot | $119.99 |
| Pro DTF Hot Peel Film – Double-Sided | 36 in × 100 m | Hot | $169.99 |
| DTF Hot Peel Film Sheets | 13 × 19 in, 100 sheets | Hot | $49.99 |
Choosing DTF ink
A DTF printer lays down color (CMYK) plus a white layer that sits behind the color so it shows up on dark garments. You need both.
- True Tone CMYK – full-spectrum color, smooth ink flow, formulated to minimize clogging and downtime, and consistent tone bottle to bottle.
- Brilliant White – high-opacity white for solid whites and a strong base under color. White is usually the color shops go through fastest, so it is offered in 1 L bottles, a 6-pack and a 9 × 1 L case pack.
- Printhead compatibility – Print Works DTF inks are made in the USA and optimized for Epson i3200-A1 and Epson i1600-A1 printheads.
- Starting out? The CMYK+WW ink set covers every channel in 1 L bottles.
| DTF ink | Price |
|---|---|
| True Tone Cyan Ink – 1 L | $93.00 |
| True Tone Magenta Ink – 1 L | $93.00 |
| True Tone Yellow Ink – 1 L | $93.00 |
| True Tone Black Ink – 1 L | $93.00 |
| Brilliant White Ink – 1 L | $95.00 |
| Brilliant White Ink – 6-Pack | $499.99 |
| Brilliant White Ink – Case Pack (9 × 1 L) | $720.00 |
| DTF Ink Set – CMYK+WW – 1 L Bottles | $499.99 |
Choosing DTF powder
DTF adhesive (hot-melt) powder is applied to the wet print and cured; it is what bonds the ink layer to the fabric. Good powder gives strong adhesion, less peeling or cracking and long wash life.
Print Works DTF Adhesive Powder – 1 kg ($29.99) is formulated for strong, durable bonding across different materials, with industry-leading wash-fastness.
How much powder to use? Apply enough to fully and evenly cover every inked area while the print is still wet, then shake or tap off all the excess so it doesn’t stick to bare film. Too little leads to weak spots and peeling; too much gives a heavier hand feel. Print Works powder is a fine-grade white powder. A good starting point is to cure at 230°F (110°C) for about 2 minutes, until the powder melts smooth and glossy. Raise the time slightly if it still looks grainy; equipment varies. Call or text 714-900-3255 for help dialing it in.
DTF vs DTG
| DTF (direct-to-film) | DTG (direct-to-garment) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it prints | Prints onto transfer film, powdered, cured, then heat-pressed onto the item | Prints ink directly onto the garment |
| Supplies | DTF film, DTF ink, adhesive powder, PWR RIP | DTG ink, DTG pretreatment, PWR RIP |
| Print Works products | Film, ink, powder, PWR RIP | DTG True Tone CMYK and True White inks, DTG Ink Set CMYK+WW, DTG Pretreatment – 1 Gallon, PWR RIP |
Both processes use PWR RIP, Print Works’ own RIP, to control color, white and ink output. PWR RIP works with most DTF printers on the market and is also compatible with DTG. For DTG, garments are pretreated before printing with DTG Pretreatment – 1 Gallon.
Questions? Print Works · Phone/text: 714-900-3255 · Email: printworksdirectstore@gmail.com · Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM Pacific. See also the DTF Learning Center, DTF FAQ and About Print Works.