Direct-to-Film Printing

Introducing our latest innovative printing technology: Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing.

This summer, we have introduced dynamic new printing methods, designed to offer exceptional quality, quick turnaround times, and lower printing costs than alternatives.

With our in-house DTF printing systems, we are able to grow our already expansive branded clothing offerings even further.

What is Direct-to-Film printing?

DTF printing is quite a literal process.

Our printer uploads your digital design and prints it onto a layer of recyclable film. From here, we simply heat cure the film to the fabric. That’s all there is to it.

Although this process may seem a little simple, our new DFT printer is an innovative piece of kit. Utilising state-of-the-art dual-head printing technology, we can print full-colour transfers AND the necessary white inks in one single pass, creating high-quality vibrant prints onto almost any type of fabric.

Unlike Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printers, DTF printing completely eliminates the need for any pre-treatments on your garment. Even on dark clothing, DTF allows for vibrant full-colour printing without the risk of dye discolouration.

Powered by KODAK ink technologies, the printer utilises pigment-based inks creating bright and colourful designs similar to that of screen printing, but without the restrictions on colour. These prints are designed to stand the tests of time, stretch after stretch, and wash after wash.

What can DTF print onto?

In short, almost anything.

Unlike other print options, we are no longer limited to the fabrics we can print on to. So long as the requested material can withstand the heat curing process, we can print on it!

Whether it’s natural cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon, denim, or even wood, we can help ensure that your design stands out! If you’re looking for t-shirts, hi-vis jackets, sportswear, or something different, DTF printing could be for you.

Is DTF printing environmentally friendly?

It goes without saying that the printing industry isn’t considered the most sustainable, regardless of the print method required.

However, DTF printing takes a number of large leaps forwards when compared against alternative print methods.

DTF printing as a whole is a very clean odourless process with only one general by-product. The low-impact inks are water-based, with no odour and no nasty components. Once a film is produced it requires a very short 15-second heat press to apply it and then nothing else, ensuring a lower carbon footprint. With print films manufactured from recycled materials on the horizon, we are making more steps to implement sustainable garment printing

With no screen set-up charges, no colour limitations, and no minimum order quantities, DTF printing allows us to create high-quality garments quickly and more affordably than alternative methods.

If you’d like to find out more about DTF printing or how we can help source promotional clothing, speak to a member of our team today. Call us on 01234 841741 or email us at sales@sycal.co.uk.