The adoption rate of Direct-to-Film (DTF) technology and heat transfer is unlike anything the apparel industry has seen in quite some time and the latest DTF devices from Mutoh/STS, Mimaki and Roland DG are the go-to printers and application technologies. DTG and sublimation print providers are rapidly moving into DTF.
Mutoh has produced three DTF-enabled printers and has a partnership with STS for heat curing
In about three short years since direct-to-film (DTF) inkjet transfer first came to the decorated apparel market, the technology has certainly exploded. However, much of the market (to this point) has been dominated by systems originating from China that use Epson printheads as well as Chinese-made textile pigment inks and hot-melt powders. Locally, companies such as Velflex, have built on their knowledge of heat-transfer vinyl to bring DTF solutions to the apparel branding sector and showed this to the world at PacPrint last June
STS has been partnering with Mutoh for over a year on the DTF front with Mutoh's 24" VJ628D and XPD-724, plus the 64" XPJ-1682D for wider applications and multi-up productivity. Locally, Kissel+Wolf has expanded the range to include Mutoh printers DTF films, glue powders, inks and finishing - and the STS powers shaker/baker for more even spread of the transfer powder.
Mutoh-made STS 64 XPJ 1682D DTF Printer for wider 64" DTF
Other local suppliers supporting DTF heat transfer include:
https://embroiderysolutions.com.au/products/mutoh-sts-vj-628d-dtf-printer
https://dtgsolutions.com.au/direct-to-film-printing/direct-to-film-printer/
Two recent DTF entrants have emerged. As both Mimaki and Roland announced new DTF printers aimed to capture a portion of this growing market, it begs the question: “Will more brands dive into the DTF realm and bring further validity to the technology, and strengthen its presence?” - asks Johnny Shell of Keypoint intelligence.
Mimaki TxF150-75
Mimaki announced its new TxF150-75 DTF printer during its Mimaki Innovation Days virtual event earlier this month. The chassis is from the popular CV100-150 printer; however, the device will not come with the option of a fully integrated powder shaker/curing system and (according to Mimaki) it has no plans to introduce these components in the short term.
Several core Mimaki technologies are included on the TxF150-75, such as white ink circulation, automatic nozzle checks for clogged nozzles, and nozzle recovery that compensates for clogged nozzles. The product is scheduled to launch in April 2023, with commercial availability in May.
Roland BN-20D
Roland DGA Corporation showed its new VersaSTUDIO BN-20D Direct-to-Film System at the Impressions Expo in Long Beach, CA (Jan. 20-22) that provides a solution for small businesses and Etsy type marketplaces.
The system consists of specially formulated S-PG inks in CMYK and white, S-F164 direct transfer film, and S-POWDER direct transfer powder. The BN-20D has a maximum print width of 18.9" and can also be used as a standalone vinyl cutter, allowing users to expand their application offerings.
DTG & Dye Sublimation Vendors Promoting DTF
We’ve also seen DTG vendors promote the ability of their devices to print DTF transfers, mostly in sheet form. But a prototype DTF roll-to-roll device from Brother was being shown in the MHM booth at the recent Printwear and Promotion show in the UK. The device uses the well-established GTX Pro print engine modified to feed film via a roll-to-roll media system. There is no inline powder shaker/curing station being offered by Brother at this time and the device is due for launch later in 2023.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Without question, the adoption rate of DTF is unlike anything the decorated apparel industry has seen in quite some time. While many Chinese DTF vendors originated three years ago, we are finally starting to see notable movement from well-known brands like Mutoh, Mimaki, Roland, and others who are introducing DTF-enabled printers. The kicker is that, currently, DTF inks and powders are 3rd party, not OEM - this may change in the future. The same goes for finishing/powder shaking/baking (the best results are achieved with a combination of baking to melt the glue powder and then heat-pressing.)
It is Keypoint's opinion that others are also in the process of developing their own solutions to bring DTF to market with unknown timelines which makes this area exciting, and one to watch. Could movements like these from big vendor names into developing a DTF solution signal a shift in their strategy? The rationale driving this could be as simple as DTF is an attractive market and rapidly growing. With COVID further behind us, perhaps we'll see this in the near future.
- Based on an article by Johnny Shell, Keypoint Intelligence, with added information by Wideformatonline.
For a superb article on why DTF is gaining ground, our friends at GraphicsPro and ColDesi penned this expert article:
https://graphics-pro.com/education/dtf-printing-a-new-digital-spin-on-an-analog-process/
