DTF film, TPU powder, protective hand gloves, scotch tape, water-based DTG ink, USB stick/thumb-drive, stainless steel tray, ColorGATE RIP Software, kraft paper, heat press, curing oven and a Ricoh DTG printer. All of the supplies / equipment you need and more can be found here.

There is a variety of software that can be used to configure your design files to the appropriate format for DTF printing. This section demonstrates how to convert your design files using the ColorGATE RIP Software.

Launch the ColorGATE RIP software. Once the program opens, drag and drop the design file you wish to convert in the lower left dialogue box of the screen (as shown above).

Most file types are supported, however a transparent, vector, PDF file with the correct CMYK color format is recommended for the best results.

To access the adjustment settings, double click on the file. A dialogue box with several tabs will appear (as shown above).

Under the "Job" tab you can make basic adjustments to your image like rotation, sizing, positioning, and mirroring.

Navigate to the "Printer" TAB

Under this tab you will see export settings. Go down to the setting titled:

"Destination Path"

Here you will have the ability to rename your file and determine the location for final export. Ensure that your USB drive is plugged into the computer, and set the render path to the USB location.

Once you are finished adjusting the path settings, click OK to save and close the "Edit Path Settings" box.

Navigate to the "Color" TAB

Under the "Color" tab, there will be an adjustment option titled "Media" where you can adjust the garment color settings. There are three options under this tab, and each option will result in the following action:

• Color Garment: Keeps all of the colors
• White Garment: Removes all white colors from the graphic
• Black Garment: Removes all black colors from the graphic

Select the option that best suits your needs

Navigate to Advanced Settings

You can access the advanced settings under the same "Color" tab. Once you click the "Settings" button, an Advanced Settings dialogue box will appear (as shown below). Several tabs are located within the advanced settings box. Each tab contains various adjustment options.

Navigate to the "Print Mode" TAB

There will be an adjustment setting labeled "Special Colors". Here we will be changing the white minimum value.

Because we will be using a DTG printer, we want to adjust the value to 20. This number determines the minimum amount of white ink to be laid down on our film print.

Under the same tab, ensure that the dropdown next to "Layers" is set to C -> W (color to white). This setting is crucial for transfers onto dark garments.

Navigate to the "Color Correction" TAB

Under this tab, you will see an adjustment setting titled "Output". Change this value to 75%. You may also grab the top right node on the white graph line located in the curves chart (as shown above) and drag that point about a quarter of the way down along the y-axis to enforce the recommended output percentage value.

Click "OK" after adjusting all of the settings to save the changes made, and exit out of the advanced settings dialogue box.

You will notice that your design file in the bottom left corner now has a white flag icon next to the file name. This means that the settings have been adjusted, and now it is time to RIP the graphic.

Drag your file with the white flag icon into the dialogue box above it.

That is the section designated for RIPPING design files. When the file is dropped into the RIP section, click the "play" button. The program will proceed to RIP the design file.

When the program finishes RIPPING, the design file will reappear in the bottom dialogue box, now accompanied with a yellow flag icon. This means the file is successfully RIPPED and is now ready to be exported.

Drag your file with the yellow flag icon into the top dialogue box (the one above the RIP section).

That is the section designated for exporting the RIP design files. When the file is dropped into the exporting section, click the "play" button. The program will proceed to export the design file.

When the program finishes exporting, the design file will reappear in the bottom dialogue box, now accompanied with a green flag icon. This means the file is successfully exported and is located in the destination you have set for it.

This section details each step of the printing process, starting with the printer set up and ending with the final print. By the end of this section we will have a printed film transfer sheet prepared for the powder application. DTG supplies are available for purchase on the Garment Printer Ink website.

Shake your white ink cartridges for approx. 1 minute

Why do we shake the white inks? The white ink components tend to be heavier and will sink towards the bottom of the cartridge, thus causing problems with the DTG printer. Do not forget that the white ink in the printer lines will settle after sitting for a while, so if these preventive measures are not taken, the first couple of prints could result in a faint white appearance.

Perform nozzle checks

To perform a nozzle check, place a transparent sheet on the center of platen towards the top-end between the two screws. Select the "height-adjust" button on the display panel.

Once the printer is finished auto-adjusting the platen, select the "nozzle check" button. Select the "white" or "color" buttons within the nozzle check setting screen to perform the check, and hit "print".

Once the nozzle check is complete, analyze the print on the transparent sheet for any broken lines on the grids. If you see a surplus of broken lines, you will need to perform an additional auto head clean maintenance step.

Center the transfer film on the platen MATTE side-UP.

The matte side of the film is the print side. You may use scotch tape on the ends of the sheet to secure the film to the platen. Make sure the tape placement will not interfere with the print area.

Plug the USB drive with the converted design file into the DTG printer. Select the "USB" button on the display panel, and select your design file.

Select the "height-adjust" button on the display panel. The Ri 2000 will perform an auto-height adjustment. The Ri 1000 platen must be manually adjusted.

Set the dwell time to 30-40 seconds, and press "print".

This section details each step of the manual TPU powder application process. By the end of this section we will have a properly powdered film transfer sheet prepared for baking. Direct to Film Printing Equipment and Supplies are available for purchase on the Garment Printer Ink website.

Station Set-up

It is important that you wear protective hand gloves whilst working with the TPU powder to avoid skin irritation. Set up your powder application station in a clean, open space with a fairly large trash bin nearby. The tray should be large enough to fit your film transfer sheet and contain all of the TPU powder you plan to use. We recommend you use a medical grade stainless steel tray.

Powder Cleaning & StoringMaintain the TPU powder to your stationed area and out of reach from children. The powder should be stored in a sealed bag or container at room temperature. Should a spill occur the powder can be easily swept or wiped up with a dry cloth.

Carefully transport the film print from the Ricoh platen MATTE SIDE-UP to the metal tray in your powder application station. Keep the film sheet flat and level to avoid ink dripping or smudging.

Place the film sheet down on the tray, print side up, and leave a large area of film above or below the image for the TPU powder (see example above).

Pour a sizable line of powder in the area above the printed graphic on the film sheet. Leave an area of film exposed on the other end for easy access.

Grab the exposed area of the film, and slowly pull the film sheet through the line of powder. The film sheet should act like a conveyor belt, allowing the TPU powder to shimmy along every inch of the toner. When you are finished pulling the film sheet through, make sure the excess powder lands in the confines of the tray

Inspect the powdered transfer sheet carefully for any areas of loose or excess powder. These will be the places you see powder sticking to the film sheet without any toner.

Should you find areas of unwanted powder, hang your transfer over the trash bin, and with your other hand, gently flick the GLOSSY SIDE of the sheet to shake the excess powder off. Do NOT make direct contact with the powder and toner on the matte side, as this could ruin the print.

The TPU powder must be heated in order to melt and evenly distribute across the film print. The powder, once melted, forms into a tacky, adhesive material. This allows for the transfer process to occur. This section demonstrates how to accurately perform the last film preparation step before the final transfer process. Curing ovens are available for purchase on the Garment Printer Ink website.

Equipment

For this demonstration we are using a 13" x 19"DTF Film Curing Oven. The drawer size is 12" x 17". This piece of equipment is recommended for smaller transfer sheet sizes.


Settings

Time: 30 - 60 sec
Temp: 115 - 125°C

To turn the curing oven on and off, toggle the large red switch in the upper right-hand corner of the machine.

To start and stop the conveyor dryer, press the silver power button in the lower right-hand corner of the machine. 

To alter the time and temperature, navigate down to the display panels. Press the orange arrow key to allow adjustments. Press the arrow up and down keys to increase and decrease the value.

Temp: 302°F / 150°C
Time: 90 sec

Carefully place the film sheet into the oven drawer. The matte side with the exposed toner and powder should be FACE-UP towards the heating element.

When the transfer sheet is situated inside of the closed oven, the desired temperature is reached, and the time is set, press the power button to start the heating process.

This is the final step of the DTF printing process. This section is a step-by-step walkthrough of how to transfer the design on the film to the garment. Be aware that the recommended heat press settings vary slightly from substrate to substrate. Fusion Heat Presses, kraft paper, heat resistant tape, and more are available for purchase on the Garment Printer Ink website.

Settings

Temp: 325°F / 176°C
Time: 15 sec
Pressure: med-high


Equipment

For this demonstration we are using a 16" x 20" Hotronix® Fusion™ IQ Heat Press

Thread your garment onto the lower platen of the heat press. The area of the garment where you would like to place the design should be centered and face-out. 

Once the garment is positioned to your liking, place the film sheet matte-side DOWN onto the garment.

The tacky, adhesive material on the matte-side of the film should be directly touching the garment, and the glossy side should be face up.

You may use heat-resistant tape to secure the film sheet in place. Ensure that the tape is not covering any areas of the design.

Cover the garment and the taped transfer with a sheet of kraft paper for best results.

Set the temperature to 325°F / 176°C, the time to 15 seconds, the and pressure to medium / high. Close the platen, and press.

When the press is finished open the lower platen drawer, remove the kraft paper, unthread the garment from the lower platen, and rest it on a flat surface nearby.

This transfer is a warm - cold peel.

Warm peel: for designs with larger areas of ink
Cold peel: for designs with fine, complex details

Rethread the garment onto the lower platen, and place a sheet of kraft paper on top of it. With the same temperature and pressure settings, press the garment for5 seconds.

This step ensures increased product durability.