DTF Printing Materials: What Works Best and What to Avoid
01丨Cotton
Material Properties:
Surface is relatively rough with a fiber texture.
Fast heat absorption, can withstand high temperatures.
Strong adsorption, suitable for thick powder combination.
Transfer Advantages:
Ink layer adheres firmly, high durability.
Soft to the touch, suitable for wearable products.
Note:
Detailed patterns may be affected by texture (suggest using medium or fine powder).
Ensure medium to high pressure for full powder fusion.
02丨Polyester
Material Properties:
The surface is smooth and oily.
The heat resistance is average, and it tends to turn yellow when it exceeds 200°C.
The ink layer is difficult to penetrate and relies on the bonding strength of the powder layer.
Transfer Advantages:
The pattern has clear edges and bright hair colors.
Suitable for applications such as sportswear and functional fabrics.
Note:
Temperature control is critical, 130–140°C is recommended.
Avoid large areas of high white or thick layers in the pattern to prevent transfer back.
03丨Polyester-Cotton Blend
Material Properties:
The polyester and cotton are mixed, and the fabric structure is uneven.
Differences in local ink absorption can easily cause color differences or uneven layers.
Transfer Advantages:
Taking into account the advantages of both fabrics, it is widely applicable.
Withstands standard hot press temperatures (140–150°C).
Note:
The edges of the layer are easily blurred, so it is recommended to use hot melt powder with uniform particles.
For full images, it is recommended to perform sample tests before mass production.
04丨Canvas
Material Properties:
The surface is rough and the texture is obvious.
Strong thermal stability, can be processed at high temperature.
The ink has difficulty covering the surface evenly.
Transfer Advantages:
Strong adhesion, wear-resistant and washable, suitable for bag/apron applications.
The pattern has a strong three-dimensional sense and good visual texture.
Note:
Small pictures/thin line patterns are not suitable and are prone to breakage and distortion.
The temperature can be increased and the time can be extended appropriately to enhance adhesion.
Fabrics Not Suitable for DTF
One of the biggest advantages of DTF printing is its wide material compatibility
But there are some fabrics not suitable for DTF
Some fabrics may be easily damaged or the pattern is difficult to retain after washing
1. Silk
Surface characteristics: extremely smooth, low adsorption.
Ink absorption: Very poor.
Heat resistance: low (easy to melt or discolor).
Problem: Toner cannot be adhered, bubbles or melt-through after hot pressing.
Reason: Insufficient surface tension + high temperature intolerance, resulting in adhesion failure or material damage.
2. Wool
Surface characteristics: plush, hygroscopic, easy to shrink.
Ink absorption: medium.
Heat resistance: Very poor.
Problem: pattern deformation, color distortion, shrinkage or frizziness.
Reason: The material is unstable and cannot withstand hot pressing.
3. Genuine Leather (Natural Leather)
Surface characteristics: heterogeneous, natural oil coverage.
Ink absorption: Very poor.
Heat resistance: Very low (easy to crack, burn, and fade).
Problem: The printed pattern cannot attach and the material is damaged.
Reason: Natural leather cannot withstand heat pressure. UV printing is recommended instead.
Operation Suggestions
Sample Testing: Test each material and batch for pressure; record parameters.
Powder and Film Matching: For low-temperature sensitive materials, use low-temperature powders and cold-peel films for better stability.
Design Optimization: For low-adhesion materials, avoid large white ink areas and thin edges.
Image Source: Internet