Description

Product Introduction

DTF ink is a specialized digital inkjet ink developed specifically for the DTF heat transfer process. Working in conjunction with DTF transfer film and hot melt adhesive powder, its core function is to accurately print design patterns onto the transfer film’s coating surface. After curing and heat pressing, it achieves a secure transfer of the pattern to various substrates. As the “color core” of the DTF heat transfer system, this product is meticulously formulated with a special formula, balancing high-definition color reproduction, strong adhesion, and broad compatibility. It completely breaks through the material limitations of traditional transfer inks and is widely used in clothing customization, home decoration, advertising production, and many other fields. It is suitable for both small-batch personalized production and large-scale standardized mass production, making it a highly efficient and high-quality core consumable in the digital transfer industry.

     

Product Features

(I) High-Definition Color Reproduction, Outstanding Color Fidelity

Utilizing a high-purity pigment particle formula, the ink features fine and uniform particles with excellent dispersion. During printing, ink absorption is smooth, without ink clumping or bleeding, allowing for precise reproduction of full-color patterns, gradient effects, fine lines, and high-definition photographic details. The colors are rich and vibrant, with clear layering, and free from color cast or smudging. The white ink boasts high whiteness and excellent opacity, effectively addressing the problem of unclear or faded patterns on dark fabrics. When used with CMYK color inks, it perfectly reproduces every color detail of the original design, giving creative projects a more refined look. The color rendering effect far surpasses traditional heat transfer inks. Furthermore, the ink exhibits excellent color stability, remaining fade-resistant and colorfast even after high-temperature heat pressing, maintaining vibrant colors over long-term use.

 

(II) Strong Adhesion and Washability, Compatible with Multiple Materials

The ink uses a special binder formula, offering excellent compatibility with DTF transfer film coatings and hot-melt adhesive powder. After heat pressing, it deeply fuses with the surface of the substrate (especially fabric fibers), providing extremely strong adhesion, preventing peeling, cracking, and sublimation. Professional testing shows that the transferred patterns can withstand over 50 washes (wash fastness level ≥ 4-5), maintaining vibrant colors without significant fading or bleeding. It also exhibits good dry and wet friction fastness, and is compatible with almost all common fabrics, including cotton, polyester, nylon, blends, leather, canvas, and denim, eliminating the need for pre-treatment of the substrate. This completely overcomes the limitations of traditional sublimation inks (only suitable for polyester fibers) and DTG inks (limited fabric compatibility), allowing one ink to meet the transfer needs of multiple product categories.

(III) Smooth and Clog-Free Printing, High Printing Stability

Optimized for the characteristics of DTF printer printheads, the ink has moderate fluidity and stable viscosity, preventing sedimentation and gel formation. This effectively avoids problems such as printhead clogging, line breaks, and skewed printing during the printing process, significantly reducing printhead wear and material waste. Whether for continuous batch printing or intermittent small-batch printing, stable printing results are maintained. Continuous printing of 100㎡ shows no breaks or abnormalities, and the print head remains clear even after 36 hours of standby, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning. This improves printing efficiency while reducing equipment maintenance costs. Especially for easily precipitating white ink, the optimized dispersion process reduces precipitation, and combined with regular shaking, further enhances printing stability. It is compatible with various mainstream DTF printers on the market.

(IV) Environmentally Friendly and Non-toxic, Meeting Stringent Standards

Adhering to environmental protection principles, it uses environmentally friendly pigments and solvents that are non-toxic, odorless, and free of harmful volatile substances. It does not contain heavy metals or other harmful substances, complying with international environmental standards such as EU OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT and GOTS-ECOCERT 6.0/7.0, as well as the ZDHC MRSL V3.1 Level 3 chemical safety standard. It can be safely used in products that come into direct contact with the skin, such as clothing, children’s products, and home furnishings, without any irritation, ensuring a safer and more environmentally friendly process. Furthermore, the ink does not produce harmful gases when burned, and waste ink and ink bottles can be disposed of in compliance with regulations, without causing environmental pollution. It balances production efficiency and environmental protection needs, suitable for various compliant production scenarios.

(V) Convenient Operation, Adaptable to Multiple Processes

Compatible with both hot-peel and cold-peel DTF transfer methods, no complex post-processing is required after printing. Simply combine with DTF-specific hot-melt adhesive powder for powdering and curing, then perform heat press transfer. The operation process is simple and easy to learn, requiring no professional technicians; even small workshops or individual entrepreneurs can easily get started. At the same time, the ink is compatible with various high-quality DTF transfer films on the market, requiring no additional adjustment of printer parameters (minor adjustments can be made according to the ink type and printer model). It can be directly adapted to existing DTF transfer processes without changing equipment or modifying processes, significantly lowering the production threshold and shortening the production cycle, balancing efficiency and convenience. In addition, the ink can be adapted to special transfer needs such as fluorescent, reflective, and luminous effects, expanding more creative application scenarios.

Application Scenarios

Suitable for most conventional transfer printing needs, it is primarily used in areas such as clothing customization (T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, jeans), home furnishings (cushions, curtains, tablecloths), and bags and shoes (canvas bags, sneakers, baseball caps). Whether for personal DIY customization, small-batch production in offline stores, or large-scale corporate orders, it offers efficient performance, balancing practicality and aesthetics.

 

Instructions for Use

1. Ink Refilling: Shake the ink thoroughly (especially white ink, to prevent pigment settling). Slowly refill the ink tanks according to the corresponding colors of the printer nozzles. After refilling, let it sit for 5-10 minutes to remove air from the ink tubes and prevent print head clogging during printing.
2. Parameter Adjustment: Adjust the printer parameters (resolution recommended above 300dpi) according to the printer model, transfer film type, and substrate material to ensure smooth ink flow and even color reproduction. Before printing, perform print head cleaning and testing to confirm there are no clogs or broken lines.

3. Pattern Printing: Print the designed pattern onto the coated side (matte side) of the DTF transfer film. For dark fabrics, print a white ink base layer first, then print the CMYK color inks to ensure clear patterns and vibrant colors.

4. Powder Application and Curing: Evenly sprinkle the DTF-specific hot-melt adhesive powder onto the printed pattern. After removing excess powder, place it in a curing oven (temperature 130-145℃) for 3-5 minutes to allow the ink and powder to fully fuse.

5. Heat Press Transfer: Place the cured transfer film with the pattern side down onto the substrate surface. Adjust the heat press parameters (temperature 150-170℃, pressure 0.3-0.5MPa, time 8-20 seconds, adjustable according to the material). A protective paper can be used during heat pressing. After completion, choose hot peel or cold peel to remove the transfer film, depending on the ink type, to complete the transfer.