(English)
DTF (direct to film) printing has rapidly become one of the most popular technologies in the textile decoration industry. With its ability to print vibrant designs on a wide range of fabrics, DTF printing offers flexibility, low setup costs, and impressive durability. At the heart of this technology lies the importance of DTF ink. But with so many ink options on the market, one critical question arises: What kind of DTF ink is best?
In this article, we will walk you through evaluating DTF ink quality based on essential performance indicators. Whether you're a beginner in DTF printing or a print shop owner looking to improve your print results, this guide will help you choose the right DTF ink for your business.
DTF ink is a specially formulated pigment ink designed for direct-to-film transfer printing. Unlike standard pigment ink, DTF ink includes additives that ensure excellent adhesion to cotton and other textiles and superior flexibility for stretching and wear resistance.
High-quality DTF inks are engineered to work across various types of PET films and fabrics including cotton, polyester, nylon, and blends. This broad compatibility makes it a go-to solution in the custom apparel and garment printing market.
Choosing the best DTF ink goes beyond color brightness. Here are 16 performance benchmarks to help you evaluate any DTF ink with confidence.
A reliable DTF white ink should print at least 10 square meters at 100% ink output with less than 5 pin breaks. Poor fluency may cause nozzle clogs and inconsistent prints.
Just like white ink, CMYK or other color inks should maintain consistent flow with minimal pin breaks under high coverage.
A quality DTF ink should remain printable after 0.5 hours of idle time without requiring head cleaning. This helps reduce waste and downtime.
Strong white coverage is essential for vivid prints. You should test the ink at various opacity levels (60% to 100%) to see if the white remains solid and bright.
The best DTF white ink should appear pure white, not yellowish or bluish. Impure whites can affect the overall design brightness.
DTF inks must be flexible. After heat transfer, the ink should stretch with the fabric without cracking or flaking, especially on soft garments.
Avoid white inks with a grainy or rough feel. A smooth and flat finish indicates high-quality dispersion and better wear resistance.
Good DTF inks should not wrinkle or peel after pressing. A smooth, well-bonded ink layer ensures long-term durability.
A versatile DTF white ink should work well on various PET films. Inks that only work on specific films may limit your production options.
Like white ink, CMYK colors must also bond properly to the PET film. Poor compatibility can cause color separation or coating issues.
If your white ink tends to bleed, spread, or look oily on film, it indicates poor chemical balance or incompatibility between white and color layers.
Check the operating range. High-quality inks work best in 20–30°C temperature and 40–60% humidity, but the broader the range, the more stable your operation.
The ink should produce vivid, true-to-life colors with a wide color gamut. Dull or muted prints suggest low pigment concentration or ink degradation.
Look for clean and solid color blocks during test printing. Wavy or rippled effects can indicate poor ink-to-film compatibility or waveform mismatches.
If the printed ink surface becomes oily after a few days, it likely contains excess solvents or oil that weren’t fully evaporated. This can be adjusted with proper curing, but it’s also a sign of subpar ink.
Test your prints under dry rub, wet rub, and high-temperature washing. Grade 4–5 colorfastness is the standard for wearable textiles.
When it comes to choosing DTF ink, your decision should be based on real performance rather than just price. Factors like fluency, stretchability, white coverage, film compatibility, and color vibrancy all contribute to your final print quality and long-term customer satisfaction.
Investing in high-quality DTF ink ensures smoother production, fewer reprints, and better results across all textile types. As the DTF printing market continues to grow, having reliable ink is key to scaling your business and maintaining consistent quality.
If you're currently exploring different ink options or having issues with print quality, it's time to evaluate your ink based on the above checklist.
Looking for high-performance DTF ink for your printer?
At AGP, we manufacture advanced DTF ink formulas designed for excellent white coverage, smooth flow, and vibrant colors on all textiles. Get in touch with us for samples or more technical guidance.
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