DTF printing (direct) will increase swiftly. Many people and corporations are used to printing lovely designs on T-shirts, bags, and other garments. But to get extremely high-quality prints, you have to comply with a few easy but clever suggestions.

In this guide, we’ll share simple DTF printing tips to help you get better results. You don’t need to be an expert — just follow the steps carefully using the A1 DTF Printer.

1. Use Good-Quality Films

Always use high-quality PET films made for DTF printing. Cheap films can cause problems like:

• Ink spreading too much
• Powder sticking badly
• Poor transfer to fabric

A good film has a smooth surface, dries ink well, and gives a clean transfer. This is the base for a good print.

2. Choose the Right Ink

Not all inks are the same. For best dtf  printing, use DTF-specific inks. These inks are made to work well with PET films and heat transfer.

Good ink helps with:

• Bright and bold colors
• Smooth lines
• Long-lasting prints

Bad ink can fade quickly or make the design look blurry.

3. Shake the Powder Evenly

After printing the design on film, you need to add hot-melt adhesive powder. This powder helps the design stick to the fabric.

Tip:

• Shake the powder evenly over the wet ink
• Don’t use too much or too little
• Shake off the extra powder

If you use too much powder, it will create rough prints. If you use too little, the design may not stick well.

4. Dry the Film Correctly

Once the powder is added, you must cure (heat-dry) the film. This step is essential.

You can dry it using:

• A curing oven
• A heat press (hovering, not pressing down)

Do not press directly while drying the powder. Just hover the heat plate 4–5mm above the film.

Tip:

Summer at one hundred fifty to one hundred sixty ° Celsius (300-320 ° F)

Dry for about 2-3 minutes

It melts the powder and produces a film for the switch.

5. Use the right warmness press settings

The heat press should be set at an appropriate temperature, time, and stress.

Recommended Settings:

Temperature: a hundred and sixty-170 ° C (320–340 ° F)

• Time: 15–20 seconds
• Pressure: Medium to firm

Make sure the heat is even across the surface. Uneven heat can ruin the transfer.

6. Choose the Right Fabric

DTF works on many fabrics, like cotton, polyester, and blends. DTF LINKO explains more about how it works.

• Cotton
• Polyester
• Blends
• Nylon
• Silk

But some cheap fabrics may not work well. Always test your film on new fabric types. Choose smooth and clean clothes for the best result.

7. Pre-press the Fabric

Before pressing the film onto the fabric, do a quick pre-press.

Why?

• It removes moisture
• It smooths the fabric
• It helps with sticking better

Just press the blank fabric for 5 seconds before applying the film.

8. Let the Film Cool Before Peeling

After heat pressing, don’t peel the film right away. Wait for it to cool down. This is called a “cold peel.”

When the film cools:

• The design sticks better
• The edges stay clean
• The colors look better

Peeling too early may pull off parts of the design.

9. Use a Heat Press Again After Peeling

After peeling the film, do one more press. This is called post-pressing.

How to do it:

• Use a Teflon sheet or parchment paper
• Press for 5–10 seconds

This step:

• Locks the design into the fabric
• Makes it more durable
• Gives a smooth, soft finish

10. Keep Your Printer Clean

A dirty printer can cause bad prints. Clean your printer’s printhead, ink lines, and film rollers often.

Tips:

• Use a cleaning solution for the printhead
• Avoid dried ink buildup
• Cover your printer when not in use

Good maintenance keeps the colors bright and the lines sharp.

11. Store Your Films Properly

After printing on film, if you’re not using it right away, store it carefully.

Tips:

• Keep films flat
• Avoid folding or bending
• Store in a dry, cool place

Humidity or heat can damage the print or affect powder performance.

12. Calibrate Printer Settings

Your printer has settings like ink level, print speed, and resolution. Adjust them to get better results.

Use:

• High resolution for detailed prints
• Medium speed for reasonable ink control
• Proper ink limits for your film type

Try a few test prints to find the best combination.

13. Don’t Skip Test Prints

Before big orders, always do a test print. This helps you check:

• Color accuracy
• Print sharpness
• Transfer quality

Fix any problems before wasting film or shirts.

14. Avoid Dust and Dirt

Dust and dirt can stick to the film or fabric and ruin the print.

To avoid this:

• Work in a clean area
• Cover printed films
• Use lint rollers on fabric

A clean surface gives a clean print.

15. Learn and Practice

DTF printing is easy to learn, but it takes some practice. Every printer, fabric, and environment is different.

Take notes on:

• What settings work best
• Which films and powders give good results
• How different fabrics react

The more you print, the better your results will be.

Final Thoughts

DTF printing is a great way to make custom t-shirts and more. With the right tools, inks, and methods, you can get high-quality prints every time.

Let’s review the top tips:

• Use quality film and inks
• Apply powder properly
• Dry the film well
• Press with correct heat and pressure
• Let the movie cool before peeling
• Clean your printer
• Keep trying and learning