DTF stands for ‘Direct to Film’, a method of outputting data onto film to create transfer sheets for printing on commercial materials. DTF printer is an inkjet printer used to create these transfer sheets. There have been various methods of creating transfer sheets, but the DTF system is a reasonable, high-quality and easy-to-use method that anyone can use to create transfer sheets. DTF is effective in the wear printing industry, where price competition is fierce, as it automates the process of creating transfer sheets, thereby saving labor and production costs. It is a revolutionary printing method that can be used for mass production as well as small lots, contributing to the expansion of the print market.
With the DTF printer, inkjet printing is first performed on a dedicated transfer sheet using water-based pigment ink, and a powdered hot-melt binder is applied only to the output design area. The powder is then passed through a heater to solidify and create the transfer sheet. The DTF printer automatically performs this process, so all that is needed is to cut the film, set the transfer sheet on the body, and apply a heat press. No ‘dust removal’, ‘retouching’, ‘plate making’ or ‘white plate data creation’ is required, and even detailed designs that are difficult to reproduce with conventional transfer printing can be printed from a single point without any edges around the design. The print is resistant to color fading and cracking caused by stretching of the fabric, and has high resistance to washing.
Key features of Image Magic’s Trans Jet DTF printer
Reliable, uniquely developed Japanese ink,
Stable, long-lasting operation and overwhelming price competitiveness
Image-Magic handles the Trans Jet DTF printer. By installing our originally developed Japanese ink in this printer, we have succeeded in realizing stable output of high-quality prints over a long period of time, eliminating discharge defects in low temperature and low humidity environments that are characteristic of DTF printers.
The newly developed Japanese ink enables us to offer the DTF system at a lower price than before, reducing the processing cost including film and binder required for the DTF system by 6% on an A4 (210mm x 297mm) equivalent basis compared to the conventional system. The new system is competitive even for small-lot production such as on-demand printing.
While maintaining the same high quality durability in terms of fastness to rubbing and washing, the packaging has been changed to a vacuum aluminum pouch to prevent deterioration. The pouch can be directly refilled with ink, eliminating the need to refill the printer with ink one after the other and enabling smooth continuous output.
In addition, the frequency of maintenance requirements has been significantly reduced.
Until now, DTF printers required a maintenance menu once every several tens of minutes to once an hour to maintain stable discharge, but these improvements have succeeded in reducing the total maintenance time required for a full day of printing operations to 90% of the conventional time. (Based on our factory’s actual performance)
The reduced number of maintenance operations not only contributes to a reduction in the frequency of work stoppages and an increase in daily production, but also reduces the consumption of waste ink that used to be generated during each maintenance operation, making the system an environmentally friendly printing system.
Since it has been patch-tested and can be used to transfer onto collar tags that directly contact the skin, it can also be used to support the launch of original apparel brands and to cultivate new customers by taking advantage of the on-demand transfer made possible by Trans Jet.
Trans Jet does not require the creation of white plate data
In some cases, printing methods that apply white ink require the creation of “white plate data,” but Trans Jet does not require the creation of white plate data and can print PNG data as-is. For example, if it takes about 3 minutes to create white plate data for one design, it takes about 50 hours just to process the data for 1,000 designs. With Trans Jet, the creation of the white plate data is not necessary, and the time saved can be used for the printing process, resulting in faster production, which is effective for on-demand production of single-page orders with variable designs.
What you can make with a Trans Jet printer
Compatible materials: cotton, polyester, nylon, etc.
T-shirt
Work uniform
Bag
Cap
Sneaker
Umbrella
Three models of Trans Jet DTF printers
Trans Jet DTTS-602 series
【Fastest in series history】
Suitable for print shops, etc, High productivity, ultra-high speed, high-grade model suitable for print shops, etc.
This DTF printer is ideal for those who have had to spend a lot of time and effort on small-lot transfers and those who have struggled with pre-treatment for dark-colored fabrics for inkjet printing.
This model is designed for print shops and is compatible with 600 mm wide rolls, Capable of continuous operation for 5 hours or more.
This DTF printer is ideal for those who have had to spend a lot of time and effort on small-lot transfers and those who have struggled with pre-treatment for dark-colored fabrics for inkjet printing.
Space-saving design,
Compact model that realizes speedy and high image quality.
High-speed printing at the level of mass production machines despite its small size. Small-scale printing business or shop-and-factory. Enables vertical launch of new business by different industries.
Flow chart of how to use Trans Jet to create and print
Flow of making and printing a transfer sheet
Print Flow
1. Print out
The design data to be printed is printed out on a transfer sheet. Color ink is printed on the transfer sheet, followed by white ink.
2. Powder treatment
Powdered hot melt binder is automatically sprinkled on the printed surface. Excess powder is removed, and the powder melts and hardens as it passes through the heat tunnel. The film is cooled and rewound.
3. transfer print
Place the transfer sheet on a T-shirt or bag and heat press.
4. Sheet peeling
After cooling, peel off the sheet to complete the print.
Comparison of print flow between “Print & Cut” and “On-demand Transfer
The on-demand transfer realized by Trans Jet eliminates the need for retouching and shavings removal, which is necessary for print-and-cut and other processes. This significantly reduces work time. Compared to conventional general transfer, sheet production costs can be reduced by approximately 78%. (According to our own research)
“Trans Jet” workspace comparison
Three models of Trans Jet DTF printers
Trans Jet DTTS-602 series
【Fastest in series history】
Suitable for print shops, etc, High productivity, ultra-high speed, high-grade model suitable for print shops, etc.
This DTF printer is ideal for those who have had to spend a lot of time and effort on small-lot transfers and those who have struggled with pre-treatment for dark-colored fabrics for inkjet printing.
This model is designed for print shops and is compatible with 600 mm wide rolls, Capable of continuous operation for 5 hours or more.
This DTF printer is ideal for those who have had to spend a lot of time and effort on small-lot transfers and those who have struggled with pre-treatment for dark-colored fabrics for inkjet printing.
Space-saving design,
Compact model that realizes speedy and high image quality.
High-speed printing at the level of mass production machines despite its small size. Small-scale printing business or shop-and-factory. Enables vertical launch of new business by different industries.
