DTF Remover vs HTV Remover: Which One Do You Actually Need?

We've all made mistakes on a t shirt whether it's putting the DTF transfer in the wrong spot or needing to remove HTV.

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Fortunately - you're not stuck with the mistake. There are different ways to remove a transfer from a shirt when you spell a name wrong or put a transfer on in the wrong spot or on crooked. HTV remover will take off DTF transfers - I've done it.

But now there's a new remover specifically for DTF transfers and there are some big benefits.

I've been using AlbaChem VLR (Vinyl Letter Removing Solvent) for years to fix HTV mistakes. But recently I switched to the DFR (Direct to Film Remover) solution for removing DTF transfers and I think it does a better job for several reasons.

HTV and DTF transfers user a different type of adhesive. They also different because one is a film and the other is made with ink. The varying remover solutions target each of them specifically.

VLR is fast drying and releases the adhesive bond so the vinyl lifts away from the shirt usually in long pieces. It dries quickly enough you can almost immediately apply a new heat transfer.

The DTF remover is slow drying - intentionally. It has to stay wet long enough to soak in and break down the binder from both sides of the transfer - the adhesive side and the ink side.

The DFR remover needs to be washed out in the laundry after the transfer is removed before applying a new DTF transfer.

I find that both work well and while you can get away with using the VLR to remove small DTF transfers, in my testing I do think the DTF specific formula (AlbaChem DFR) does a better job of getting all of the DTF transfer and glue off.

Watch me Remove a full DTF Transfer

I removed an entire DTF design from a white shirt, start to finish, in a new video at Silhouette U. Including the parts that fought back, and what I'd do differently. You can preview the video before you join Silhouette U.

Silhouette U members get full access to our exclusive video tutorial library, same day one on one personalized help and support, access to advanced calculators and pricing tools and more!

Watch the full DTF transfer removal at Silhouette U

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