Direct to film printing 101 - Pros and cons
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- čas přidán 15. 05. 2021
- Whats up Lumedia Fam! Finally got around to doing a DTF Printing video. This is Direct to film printing 101 it includes pros and cons and I am even answering some of the most asked questions I get asked. Super excited for this series and I hope it helps you on your DTF journey! Thank you for watching and as always all links are below.
DTF Printers and Supplies, I have two different sites that I trust for your convenience to shop around and also incase something is out of stock.
RIP Software:
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=0f3mr4
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=h8jo1f
DTF Printers:
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=6ji60d
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=hlsc72
Film:
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=6iof94
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=p7k7qe
Inks:
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=comjj3
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=h6a2pt
Adhesive/Powder:
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=nho0dg
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=crmk2q
Cleaning Solutions:
dtfsuperstore.com/r?id=kcmf30
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=3c91mp
Shout out to my boy Rico Copeland for the dope thumbnail art, checkout his channel here: / kco1990
Affordable Heat Press:
amzn.to/3uUuZAX
Where I purchase my consumables from:
dtfsuperstore.com/
kingdomdtf.com/r?id=12fpq6
DTF Blog: www.lumedia.net/post/dtf-diy-...
I do all kinds of prints on my tiktok here: www.tiktok.com/@luisubanda?la...
Follow me on instagram here: / lumediacreative
Do you plan on jumping into DTF? What type of videos would you like to see on the subject? Drop it in the comments below!
The goat is bacckkkk let’s gooooo 🚀🚀🚀🚀
We on it for the rest of 2021!!!
I know this is a year later but Kodak now has a whole line of everything for DTF
Man you just answered the Biggest worries of mine in this video. The Feel of the print, I was reluctant to lower down the ink %age of the fear of loosing on print quality.....but will try it now....hope that works!!
To be honest man, it feels good even on thicker prints. The only thing you will see a bit more is pigment migration when you lower the inks. (Garment color show through). I feel that most customers won’t care, I have not had one print come back with complaints that the print feels off or too papery. We as business owners look for that, most customers won’t. I wouldn’t be too hung up on that factor alone! Glad my video could help a bit!
Did you ever make that video about the R1800? I bought one for $50 but I think I might unload it because I cant find a conversion video for it anwhere. I perked up when I heard you mentioned you bought one yourself
good video you gave great info
Thanks brother!! Anything that you feel I missed?
@@Lumedia u covered it really good
Awesome love to hear that bro!!
I heard DTF in the beginning and was already hooked!
I wonder if it was for the right reason 😝 😂 iykyk. Thanks for watching!
I’ve explored various transfers (including those from DTF Super store) and have found that Ecofreen transfer film and Ecofreen powder adhesive yield a better feel and print.
Hmm you have a website to purchase from? Would love to try and test out!
@@Lumedia I’ve replied to you several times but see that my response is not posting. It may be because I placed a link in it. I buy Ecofreen film and Ecofreen powder from All American Print Supply Co. Hopefully this response will post.
Very helpful video!
By the way, I have a few questions sir:
1. Do you still need to use PET Film when running a test print after head cleaning? Or using a regular printing paper will do (or perhaps something thicker)?
2. What are the maintenance measures when I don't need to print for a day or two (Or worse when taking a week-long vacation)?
3. Is it cheaper to produce products using DTF compared to the likes of full-color-capable-printing on various garment types such as: printable vinyl, dark tranfer paper, light transfer paper hot melt sublimation printing, screen printing?
Still new to printing business and currently researching about DTF, hence the questions may appear ridiculous.
Thank you!
Ill answer your questions in order that you asked them! 1. YES the small PET sheets are dirt cheap if bought in bulk, dont use your large sheets. If you are using rolls even better. The white ink is very difficult to see on white paper and your color ink would be hard to see on black cardstock. 2. If i know i wont be printing for over a week (again depending on the printer) I will shake all my inks very good, make sure the humidity in the room is over 50% so inks dont dry up. Also wet your capping station with cleaning solution. 3. DTF Can be cheaper than most of the methods mentioned and more durable. Sublimation still has a more competitive edge because you can print on other type of surfaces. I think dtf and sublimation are a great combo to have as a business owner. also note unless you have a commercial DTF printer some of the more budget friendly ones are SLOW. so find a good DTF Transfer Supplier. Welcome to the wonderful world of printing where everything has a different method and you will want all the printers and machines LOL.
Do you have a video of converting a epson eco tank et 8550 for dtf printing?? Love your videos too keep up the good work👍
Is DTF only for garments or it has a possibility of serving prints for hard surfaces like white toner prints do? Thank you for all the info, Just subscribed :)
From my understanding yes it’s only for garments. However I have seen people use it on other porous things. There is also a process called UV DTF. Which turns dtf prints into more of a decal that can be applied to a plethora of surfaces.
I had someone do a custom dtf print for me & it felt like printed vinyl… it had that plastic feel … can adjustments be made to have the dtf print feel like ProWorld’s Goof Proof texture
where can I buy some of your transfers to test out?
Does DTF work on Epson L1800??
Man I have a knight 6 and it is super hard to use as far as i'm concerned. I've been having issues with the paper spitting out as well as the white inks. I'm so over it!
We've just purchased a 3880 from Brother Ernest with approx. 200 pages printed. I would love to pick your brain about that particular model...
3880 is an awesome machine. What I currently run!
Does dtf hold up better than dtg after washing?
Also constent hours of dealing with customers designs going back N forth making sure the design is perfect... sometimes took hours to wait for response due to work reason, life ect. . That's why you need to make sure the customer has everything ready for you.
Hi I am wondering how long the transfers last once printed before pressing? so like if I were to buy how long could i hold onto them before pressing?
Very long
Hey bro I just got my printer so in the morning for the maintenance do I just shake the inks and dampers run the head cleaning button and then after when im done I syringe the capping station for another head cleaning? Is it necessary to run the head cleaning button in the morning if I already did head cleaning in the capping station from the night before?
Hey brother! Yup thats about it, I recommend running a head cleaning every time before you start printing. Sometimes you even have to run them every 30 or so prints depending on the printer you have. If not you will notice some streaks in your prints. What printer did you end up getting?
@@Lumedia Ok bro I see and yea I got the L1800 one for now
Very reliable printer and cheap replacement parts too!!
@@Lumedia when you mean running the head cleaning before I start printing is shaking the inks and white ink dampers and start the head cleaning from the menu right?
@@Lumedia Bless up!!! glad to hear that then
Would like to try your DTF prints
Can the prints be stored or do they have to be used quickly
They can be stored! I have a video on how to properly store and ship them!
I’m new to this I was was thinking of mybe doing eco salvent printing only because dtf is so much Maintenance
Hi I’m new to the tshirt business. I’m basically stuck between choosing if I want to go the dtf route or sublimation? Can someone break down the pros and cons. I read sublimation last longer but dtf colors are better. I also read that dtf ink works on sublimation paper as well? If so, do the colors still come out as good using dtf ink on sublimation. Can someone confirm these statements or add statements? Also best brands?
If YOU put in the actual work and do some research (including watching tons of CZcams videos, Facebook groups, internet searches etc) YOU can write down the pros and cons yourself with an off the information you come across…that’s YOUR job
What Rip are you using?
Acro rip 9.0.3
My reds and yellows and blues. When printing comes out super dark. Definitely not the color when creating image in photoshop. How can i solve this. Is it a cmyk to rgb situation
It might be! Do you have an ICC profile setup? Where do you purchase your inks?
@@Lumedia i have the L1800 purchades from china and ink also product of china
I would be weary about the inks direct from China. Since you can’t really hold anyone accountable if they are no good. I suggest purchasing from dtf kingdom or dtf superstore and using their ICC profiles and that should help tremendously if changing the color mode doesn’t.
@@Lumedia no ICC account
What is the wash life?
Why do people say dtf is not good for larger prints, like say 15"x15" prints? They say use dtg.
Why would someone say that?
How does it hold up and how can I order from you?
Have you ever felt a large heat transfer on a shirt before? Or a thick ass plastisol print? Gets heavy and weighs the shirt down and feels like a hot piece of rubber in the summer.
@@TheXboxSux that is true, I have only felt one. Can a dtf machine make transfers with negative space? That way,bathe transfer isn't one giant block, but instead, it's cut like a plastisol transfer?
15x15 no problem yes you can 100% knock out colors, rasterize images, etc. the only thing that requires a bit more work to get it right are outer glows. At least in my experience. But with updates to RIP Softwares it’s getting much better. I disagree with Xboxsux this is not as thick as a plastisol transfer. You can achieve some extremely soft and thin prints.
@@Lumedia can I contact you for some dtf prints or all things you do, if you take orders?
Dude I bought a heated silicon roller for my fingerboard company (think wooden tech decks)
Could you print my graphics for me in bulk? Happy to pay for it
Have you done DTF on actual leather? Not genuine or Faux PU stuff. I mean like full grain leather whether it's chrome tan or natural
👍
Thanks for watching!
Bro u really need to reply this. I starting a t shirt printing. Should i go with dtf. Will it last long or shuld i go with screen printing. Pls help me bro
Do your research
The print is too thick. After heat press in the tshirt(cotton) the outcome of the print is too thick.
How to correct the thickness of the print.?
Check your ink percentages. I’m doing 55 color 65 white!
@@Lumedia I have an epson L1800 and it came with digital factory v10 software.
I tried looking around in the settings on how to play with the ink percentage but I can’t find it.
Could you help me out ?
Lumedia Would you consider converting printers for people? We sent the print and pay you to convert it?
Hey Jonathan unfortunately I would not. But I am trying to put together some guides. In addition, you can purchase an already converted printer from the places listed in my description.
If I have an Epson printer I use for sublimation could I change the ink and use as DTF?
Depends, What epson is it? You have to have more then 4 ink channels and make sure there is a RIP software that supports it.
Also you could convert to dtf just using 4 channels but much like subbing you’d be limited to printing on things that are white because you don’t have a channel that prints white to brighten dark garments
For sure but at that point it’s better to keep it as a sublimation or pigment printer. In my opinion anyways.
What printer are you using?
I have 3 epson r1800, 3880, 7800
@@Lumedia which one do you recommend or prefer?
Honestly, the r1800 or an r3000 it’s fast and the space it takes up is minimal. Also doesn’t have many components easy to maintain
@@Lumedia I’ve had my eyes on the Epson 3880. Any comparisons, cons or input?
I hear the 3880 prints are the best
Sublimation printing is probably the less time consuming of all the other printing method. Of course, the downside with sub printers is that you can only print on white polyester shirts.
For sure!!!
It's a lot of work for me, as I bleach my shirts. And not like everyone else. Mine look different. Not just the dumb little bleach circle in the front. Lol
I’m using a California supplier I had China ink a. Switched to Cali ink yikes I keep forgetting the mixing of inks man
Who is your Cali supplier if you don’t mind me asking?
@@Lumedia well im still testing him out but im only using him because they are local like mins away mclaud is the company name
Cool! They are the ones who claim to have the USA inks, I will be trying them out once my existing stock is out!
@@Lumedia yea keep me posted on it. I e gotten my pros and cons on it but powder so far so good I’ll be doing some reviews soon. Working out this CZcams thing lol
Will do!!!
We should collaborate on a video!
Hot Melt Powder and it's old shit dude!
Lol so many ppl thinking DTF is new. It's been around for years. China took DTG transfers and made it a little low cost "WoW cheap tech" fad to get you kiddies all fired up and ordering supplies. Welcome to ghetto DTG. I'm loving all the heartache ppl are finding with converting printers that aren't meant to run these inks through them and acting shocked when heads fail and shit breaks. Almost every youtuber who's said "it's not that bad I just spend X amount time a day" has by now STILL ran into some major problems. As I always say "If you don't have the money to get setup properly, then you have no business being in business".
Lol! I agree with most of the things you said, but why do you sound bitter or upset? Yes it has been around for a minute. But it just started getting traction by hobbyists and smaller businesses recently. Eh I would argue with the “cheaper Dtg” I’ve had both. There is however a ton of heartache how you’re saying, hell I have even delaminated a printer head on my r1800. And the maintenance is equal to if not more of a Dtg machine. I also agree converted printers will eventually have issues. And I do recommend if you’re gonna be running a stand-alone business on DTF you do need a commercial printer from China. I have an interesting walkthrough video and interview coming out in the following weeks of a large DTF only company that stopped screen printing and moved completely to dtf.
@@Lumedia Sounds good i'll check it out. I can't imagine giving up screen printing for DTF only. lol I'm not bitter just having a good laugh. I mean i guess some people are making money with their consumer printers until they bust then buying more and doing it again. Just funny as it reminds me of the beginning when DTG started. Same thing happened to all those early adopters.
Oh yea lol! But that’s the beauty of DTF vs DTG when people were converting those much more work went into it. You needed to do some crazy adaptations. With Dtf you don’t really have to do as much and the quality is similar. Not mention you don’t take up as much real estate because there is no moving parts. And ding ding ding. If you’re smart you buy used printers at low cost that are disposable instead of new ones that will have the same issues within the same time frame. I have spent more than $2000 on all three printers I have. I just picked up a 7800 pro for $500 which is gonna be my main printer. And a game changer for my business. And eventually I’ll purchase a commercial grade one.
@@TheXboxSux sounds like you’re scared of competition
I have two dtf machines
Same my r1800 needs a new head tho lol.
@@Lumedia oh yikes an those can be pricey, im sure you tried soaking it already
Which ones do u have?
I have a 3880 and r1800
@@Lumedia
Please tell me the 3880 Acrorip 9.03 template setting ... I'm trying, but printing starts after 3 cm.
Pet Film is old shit dude!!
Don’t know what pissed in your Cheerios lol. It might be old technology. But it’s just now becoming popular by hobbyists and smaller businesses. I’ve had the chance to play with it for a few months now. And I like it, I noticed you said it sucks on another of my vids, but everyone has different experiences. Why would I stock inks, screens, and literally need a small warehouse or retail space to have a silkscreen setup worth having when I can have 2 or 3 dtf printers that can print full color? Doesn’t make sense for my work flow. Either way thanks for watching man!
@@Lumedia As someone that screen prints I can tell you it's an entirely different world. No one is going to take a heat transfer business seriously. If a customer shows me a heat transfer shirt they got from another place ill blow them away with how much better I can make their shit. It's why Laser never caught on and DTF will be the same. The only two techs that the professional industry recognizes currently are DTG and screen printing. You're in the $10 shirt business and i'm in the $25 shirt business.
@@TheXboxSux honestly i completely disagree because what you forget is your labor and all the process you have to go through in the end you dont make near the profit you think just saying ;)
@@TheXboxSux lmao , you’re a weirdo