Is there Finally a Clog Free DTF Printer?

Are you on the hunt for a clog-free DTF printer with easy maintenance for your business or t shirt shop? Until recently I would have told you it's not possible.

But after spending some time learning and operating Uninet's new direct to film printer that includes patented auto wet capping to avoid clogs - I may be changing my mind.  Read on to learn more about the Uninet Xpress DTF Printer. 

How to Put DTF Transfers on Hats

You can put DTF transfers on hats even if you don't have a hat press. 

Since DTF transfers can be ironed on, applying to hats is fast and easy! Read on for some tips on making and applying DTF transfers for hats. 

Find the Best DTF Printer in 30 Seconds! FREE Tool

Is your head spinning trying to find the best DTF printer for t shirts? 

With more and more t shirt transfer printers hitting the market each month, it can be overwhelming to compare features, prices, and reviews. Whether you're looking for a DTF printer for beginners or for small business there's a lot to consider. 

That's why I created a free and fast DTF Printer Comparison tool that you can enter just a few key pieces of info and in less than 30 seconds you'll know which direct to film printer is best for you and your business or hobby...or if a DTF printer is even a good idea for you at all.

How to Use an Iron for DTF Transfers

Not needing a heat press and instead being able to use an iron to apply DTF transfers is a bigger deal than you might realize. 

The ability to use an iron which most anyone would have means not only can YOU apply transfers with an iron, but your customers can too...and that means: you can sell DTF transfers to your customers who don't have a heat press. 

The No Powder DTF Printer That Requires No Maintenance and Never Clogs

If DTF powder and the maintenance of DTF printers have scared you off, there is a lesser known t shirt transfer printer out there.  You can consider the White Toner printer a no powder DTF printer with no maintenance. 

The iColor 560 White Toner printer doesn't use ink at all so it doesn't get clogged up and powder is not required to create an adhesive. Read on to learn more about the iColor 560 White Toner Printer. 

Introduction to Direct to Film Printing and How it Fits into Your Silhouette Business

If you've heard the term DTF or Direct to Film printing but you're not sure what it is - or how it could fit into your Silhouette CAMEO world or your small business - you've come to the right spot. 

Read on to learn more about DTF printing and how a desktop DTF printer like the Prestige A3+ can help you make, print, and sell cut-less, weed-less full color transfers from designs you already own! 

How to Put DTF Transfers on Painted Wood Signs

You can use DTF transfers on painted wood signs, rather than a stencil or vinyl to make custom signs in minutes. 

In this tutorial I'll show you just how easy it is to create wood sign transfers saving you tons of time! 

Tips for Using SVG Files for Iron on DTF Transfers

You can be getting more out of your PNG and SVG files by using them as images for full color DTF transfers. And I don't just mean if you have a DTF printer of your own. 

Using SVG files or and PNG images to upload to a DTF uploader or gang sheet builder will allow you avoid layering HTV and get around sublimation limitations.  Read on for how to use PNG and SVG files for iron on transfers. 

How to Apply UV DTF Stickers and Transfers for Cups

Coming fast on the heels of the DTF or direct to film craze, are UV DTF stickers and transfers. 

UV DTF transfers are a popular and easy way to wrap tumblers and glassware with custom, full color, and long lasting stickers - so I'm starting to get more and more questions about these hard surface transfers (that are NOT limited to just drinkware). 

With crafters and many handmade businesses mostly buying UV DTF transfers right now, as opposed to printing them, I figured we'd start with the number one question I get: How do you apply a UV DTF sticker?! Glad you asked...

Is a DTF Printer Worth It? Read Before You Buy! (Giveaway)

If you're wondering if it's really worth investing in a DTF Printer...or if buying DTF transfers is a better option for you - you're in the right spot. 

I get emails daily from people asking me which DTF printer is best for home.  My answer is always the same: are you going to be printing everyday? Because if you're not going to print every day - a DTF printer may not be worth it. BUT that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the benefits of iron on DTF film transfers without all the maintenance.  

Plus read on because I have an awesome giveaway opportunity for you!

Best DTF Printer For Small Business: DTF Printer Comparison Chart

With the rapidly increasing interest in DTF printing new desktop direct to film printers seems to be hitting the market all the time. 

As someone who has four (don't judge) DTF printers I thought it was time to give you a comparison so you can decide which desktop DTF printer is best for your custom t shirt business.

Desktop DTF Printer Comparison: Prestige A3+ vs Prestige A3+ R

There's rapidly increasing interest in desktop Direct to Film printers for at-home t-shirt transfer businesses. That's created a market that's trying to keep up with the demand for full color weedless, cutless printable transfers in a compact DTF printer size. 

I shared with you an introduction to DTF and how it might fit into your business along with everything to know about the Prestige A3+ DTF printer not long ago. Now there's a second model that gives small businesses even more options to grow.  

There are a few differences between the two desktop DTF printer models depending on your needs, space, and budget!  Read on for a comparison of the Prestige A3+ vs Prestige A3+ R DTF Printer...where R stands for "roll"...and how to get yourself some free DTF film if you decide to invest in a DTF printer setup. 

What Do You Need for DTF Printing? Getting Started Supply List

If you're considering getting into Direct to Film printing and are wondering "What do I need for DTF printing?" - don't let that stall you from jumping in!

There's nothing more frustrating than thinking you've got a full DTF set up only to realize there's an essential piece that you're missing just to get started. I also understand you definitely don't want to overbuy what you don't need especially if you're on a tight budget when making this small business investment! 

I've created a Getting Started Supply List for DTF that will make sure you get everything you need for DTF printing so you can get set up and start printing transfers within an hour of opening the box or should I say crate?

How to Use Siser Easy Color DTV on Darks for Beginners

Siser EasyColor DTV is an inkjet printable heat transfer vinyl material that allows you to print full color images directly on heat transfer vinyl and apply to light or dark garments.  

That means no layering and no bulky transfers on your shirt! This beginning tutorial will walk you through exactly how to put Siser Easy Color DTV on a dark shirt or surface using Silhouette CAMEO 4.

How to Set Up Silhouette Studio for Print and Cut with EasyColor DTV

Launch Silhouette Studio and start by adjusting your page size to match your inkjet printer. I'm using an 8.5x11 printer. 

From the right sidebar, open Page Setup panel and be sure the Machine is set to CAMEO (Auto), select 12x12" cutting mat, and change the Material Size to "Printer".  

Turn on the printer border and cut borders by checking the boxes for Show Print Border and Show Cut Border. 

Finally, turn on the registration marks by pressing "M" on your keyboard or toggling the button to "On" on the Registration Marks tab of the Page Setup Panel. 

How to Open a Design in Silhouette Studio Work Area for Print and Cut

If you haven't already, open your design into the work area by going to File > Merge. I'm using this Boho Rainbow Christmas design from So Fontsy's Mini Christmas $5 Buck Bundle.

 

It's easiest to use a SVG file or a PNG file (and keep auto trace turned on in Silhouette Studio).  This will help you avoid needing to trace the image to create the cut lines.  If you are using an JPEG or PNG that needs to be traced these beginner tracing tutorials will help you prepare you design. 

Once the design has cut lines, scale it so it fits inside the print and cut boundaries and will fit on the surface where you plan to apply it. 

You also want to make sure no part of the design is touching any of the hashed areas around the registration marks. 

Best Printer Settings for Siser EasyColor DTV

From Silhouette Studio click the "Print" button. Adjust the print settings for "Plain Paper". Usually I recommend putting the quality on "high quality" or "Best" but with Siser DTV that actually lays down too much ink so keep the quality on "Normal". 

Place a sheet of EasyColor DTV in your printer so it will print on the rougher side of the material.

Best Silhouette Cut Settings for Siser EasyColor DTV

Once the sheet is printed place it on the Silhouette cutting mat and load into the CAMEO 4. 

In Silhouette Studio, move to the Send panel and adjust the cut settings. I found the best Silhouette CAMEO cut settings for Siser EasyColor are Blade 3, Force 6, Speed 8, 2 Passes. 

From the Send panel send the design to cut. 

When the cutting is complete, do not unload the material. Do a test weed to make sure that the cut is complete. You want to make sure the EasyColor DTV has been fully cut through and it's easy to weed otherwise it will peel, stretch, and curl when weeding. 

How to Transfer EasyWeed DTV Transfer to Garment 

Weed away the excess material around the transfer.  Be aware the backing is not sticky so thin areas of the design that are not fully cut through may stretch and come off the backing. 

You'll want to use a piece of low tack mask over your transfer to pick it up off the backing and place on the garment. 

After covering with the mask, use a scraper to burnish well so you can easily remove the backing sheet. 

Place the design face up on your dark shirt or surface. I am putting this EasyColor DTV transfer on a black tea towel. 

Have your heat press warmed up to 310 degrees and set to 15 seconds.  Press the design with medium pressure and then remove the carrier sheet/mask. 

Wait at least 24 hours to wash the garment to help keep the colors bright and bold! 

Want to learn more about EasyColor DTV and how to use it on lights and whites? Check out everything you'll want to know about Siser EasyColor DTV! 

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How to Print and Cut Glitter Heat Transfers with Roland BN-20A

You can print custom glitter heat transfers at home without having to layer glitter HTV by either sublimating on glitter HTV or by printing and cutting glitter transfers on a Roland BN-20A or BN-20.

Both of these methods avoid the issue of added bulk when layering solid color glitter HTV. I prefer the Roland BN-20 method because it avoids the common issue of trying to line up the sublimation print with the cut vinyl and the transfer isn't as thick. 

Read on for how to make glitter heat transfers with Roland BN-20A. 

How to Do Daily Cleaning for Prestige A3+ DTF Printer: 3 Steps

There are three main things you need to clean and check after every day that you print with your direct to film printer. 

I know that the maintenance is a big question when considering any DTF printer.  If you're considering the Prestige A3+ DTF printer, I will say that the daily maintenance should take you no more than about five minutes. 

Keep in mind this is not the only maintenance that will need to be performed on a DTF printer, but these three maintenance steps are important to take after every production day.   

I am also including a cleaning supply list to help you make sure you have everything you need to keep on hand to clean the Prestige A3+ DTF printer. 

Prestige A3+ DTF Printer and Software Setup: Step by Step Guide

If you're the owner of a new Prestige A3+ DTF Printer or are considering adding the desktop DTF printer to your business this tutorial will walk you through how to set it all up! 

Setting up the Prestige A3+ DTF Printer will take you about an hour or so and honestly the hardest part is getting it out of the crate! Follow along for step by step help on how to setup the Prestige A3+ Printer and included Cadlink software (needed to print!)