How to Choose DTF Powder? Particle Size Affects Final Result!
Quick Summary: Choosing the Right DTF Powder Size
If you’re deciding which DTF powder size to use, here’s the direct answer you can act on right now:
- Small Powder (≈80 μm): Best for light fabrics and fine detail. Softer hand feel, but lower adhesion and wash durability.
- Medium Powder (≈100 μm): The most versatile choice. Balanced adhesion, wash durability, and comfort—ideal for everyday T-shirts.
- Large Powder (≈120 μm+): Strongest adhesion and wash resistance for dark cotton, hoodies, and thick fabrics; hand feel is firmer.
| Particle Size | Adhesion | Wash Durability | Softness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (≈80 μm) | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Light fabrics, fine detail |
| Medium (≈100 μm) | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | General T-shirts |
| Large (≈120 μm+) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | Dark cotton, hoodies, thick fabrics |
👉 Below we explain why particle size changes the result and how to pick the best option for your jobs.
Fine Powder (0–80μm)
Features:
Very fine particles, fast melting speed and strong fluidity.
Finished product effect:
The pattern has sharp edges and the details are best expressed;
It feels soft, the glue layer is extremely thin, and there is almost no graininess;
The bonding force is weaker than coarse powder, and the pressing temperature and fabric requirements are higher;
It is easy to cause local “powder falling” and “corner warping” problems, such as insufficient melting.
Recommended usage scenarios:
Light fabrics (such as modal, lycra, and cotton);
High-precision patterns, fine lines, gradients, and mesh details;
Children’s clothing, skin-friendly clothing, and fashionable T-shirts.
Medium Powder (80–170μm)
Features:
Uniform particles, stable melting, wide range of applications.
Finished product effect:
A good balance between adhesion and detail performance;
The pattern edges are smooth, suitable for graphics of medium complexity;
Moderate hand feel, good softness and fastness;
This is the default option for most general-purpose DTF solutions.
Recommended usage scenarios:
Ordinary cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts, sportswear;
Conventional text + pattern combination transfer;
Commercial solutions for batch processing and undertaking various types of fabric customers.
Coarse Powder (170–250μm)
Features:
Large particles, weak fluidity, long melting time.
Finished product effect:
Thick adhesive layer, strong adhesion, and better fastness than fine powder;
The edges of the printed pattern are obviously grainy and look a bit rough;
It feels harder, and the pattern “floats” on the surface of the clothing;
Not suitable for fine patterns, small text, or thin fabrics.
Recommended usage scenarios:
Coarse textured fabrics (canvas, sweatshirts);
Large graphics, heavy style prints;
Workwear, bags, sportswear and other wear-resistant scenes.
Summarize
Large particles are firm but coarse; small particles are fine but have poor adhesion. The finer the powder, the better. It should be selected based on the pattern accuracy, fabric type, and washing requirements.
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