DTF is forgiving compared with vinyl, but a transfer that lifts at the edges after three washes is almost always a pressing problem rather than a printing one.
Heat. Too low and the adhesive never fully melts into the fibres. Too high and you risk scorching the garment or dulling the colours.
Time. Under-pressing is the most common fault we hear about. The adhesive needs long enough to flow into the fabric.
Pressure. Medium to firm. If the platen only kisses the garment, the transfer will sit on top of the fibres rather than bonding into them.
Peel. Hot peel and cold peel films behave differently, and peeling at the wrong moment will lift part of the design.
The exact settings for the film we print on are supplied with every order, so you are never guessing. If you are new to DTF, call us before your first press and we will talk you through it.
Two to three seconds on the garment before you apply the transfer drives out moisture and flattens the surface. It is the cheapest improvement you can make to your finish.
After peeling, cover the design with baking paper or a Teflon sheet and press again briefly. This knocks back the gloss and seals the edges.
Different garment blends behave differently. Press one, wash it, and check the edges before you commit fifty shirts to the same settings.
