Are you looking for solutions on how to process custom clothing orders in a profitable and efficient manner? In your search for answers, you may have come across DTF using an inkjet printer and DTF PET Film or White Toner Transfer (WTT) using an xerographic laser printer. They have some commonalities and differences.
Today we will learn about their similarities and differences.
Similarities Between DTF and WTT
Both involve printing on film – a transparent PET-based material with a special coating suitable for a specific process. Both use white to provide the basis for CMY or CMYK colors. Both use "post-press" adhesive additives to provide durable adhesives to the substrate. Both thermal transfer applications support a wide range of cold peel substrate types and produce vibrant colors with fine detail and good durability.
Difference between DTF and WTT
First of all, their significant difference is the difference in printing time, which affects your production efficiency.
White Toner Transfer:
It takes about 15 seconds to print each transfer. Plus 75 seconds to transfer and 45 seconds to heat press the transfer to the garment.
You also usually need to trim the transfer a bit and take a few seconds to position it properly on the shirt.
So, if you're only doing one shirt, it's done in about 3 minutes or so.
Transfers can be printed and stacked right away, but if you're going to store them, it's best to combine them first.
DTF transfer:
About 2 minutes per shirt. The DTF printer uses a translucent DTF PET transfer film so when you heat press it onto the garment later you can see the design under the film. The thickness of the PET film is about 0.75mm for better transfer characteristics.
DTF printers use clear PET transfer film, when you heat press the film onto the garment, you can see the design under the film. This is a particular advantage and also saves some time.
The unique textile ink used in DTF improves upon traditional DTG inks by using smaller pigment sizes. Both DTG and DTF inks suffer from pigment settling issues that require vigorous agitation and frequent heavy cleaning cycles. However, while the larger pigments in DTG can cause clogging of the inkjet heads, this is not a problem for DTF inks. For WTT, these are not considerations.
DTF uses a slower inkjet printer to deposit a layer of liquid ink on film. After printing, while the DTF ink is still wet, apply the binder powder by shaking it on the paper and flicking the back of the paper to knock off excess powder. After the powder is applied, it needs to be melted and the ink dried. Everyone seems to have a different approach, from pancake pans to convection ovens and more. With that comes the risk of accidentally boiling the ink.
Conclusion
If you need to DIY or start a related business, choosing DTF is a good choice, and his entry cost is lower. At the same time, the two technologies of DTF and white toner transfer are also constantly developing. If you want to know more technology and DTF product information, you can contact us and communicate with us.
