Learn how to care for DTF-printed products to ensure longevity and vibrant prints. Contact SumoTransfers for high-quality DTF printing services.

How to Care for Products Produced with DTF Printing?

DTF printing, also known as Direct to Film printing, has really taken the way that specific industries create and work with custom apparel and accessories in many new directions. This process produces rich, vibrant prints onto various fabrics. Whether you have used DTF transfer, DTF transfer sheets, or DTF transfer film for your clothing, accessories, or promotional items, you'll need proper care to make the print last as long as possible. In this article, we are going to look at how one should care for a product on which printing is done via DTF printing so that the print of your design may last long and remain fresh as well.

Understand the DTF Printing Process

First of all, let's understand DTF printing before going to the care tips. DTF printing is unlike traditional screen printing in that DTF uses specialized DTF transfer film or DTF transfer sheets in laying the design onto fabrics. The result is high-definition DTF transfers that boast brilliant colors-even on dark-colored fabrics. On some occasions, UV DTF transfer can be applied to hard surfaces like cups and bottles. Knowing these specifics will allow you to appreciate why certain aspects of care are important to maintain print quality.

Initial Wash Guidelines

First wash is one of the most important steps in the care for DTF-printed products, which should be at least after 24 to 48 hours from the time any product was printed and transferred using DTF transfer designs, with the intention that ink and adhesive are fully cured and bonded to the fabric.

• For DTF prints, wash the garment inside out.
• Cold water should be used with a mild type of detergent, without using bleach or other strong chemicals.
• The less amount of agitation there is on the print, the gentler the cycle on the washing machine should be.

Best Practices for Regular Washing

When performing regular washes, handles DTF prints with care to avoid deterioration of the print. Be it a design from DTF gang sheets, DTF gang sheet builder, or even UV DTF gang sheets, the following general guidelines should apply:

• Wash in cold or lukewarm water, at 30°C or below to avoid heat exposure.
• Fabric softeners: Avoid the use of fabric softeners as they may seriously deteriorate the adhesive bonding after some time.
• For water temperature in washing, air-drying is ideal to avoid any heat-related damage. If there is a need to use a dryer, then tumble dry at low or no heat.

It's really simple: follow these steps to make sure DTF heat transfer prints, even the custom UV DTF cup wraps, don't lose their color and vibrancy after several washes.

Handling Heat: Drying and Ironing

High heat could damage the integrity of the print in DTF products that involve heat transfer. The following are some of the most important tips:

• As earlier mentioned, avoid high heat in the dryer. In due course, the heat will crack or peel the DTF transfer. When one needs to use a dryer, it's best to use the low or delicate heat setting.
• Never directly iron the design. Ironing, when necessary, is supposed to be performed on the inside-out side of a garment or by placing a cloth in between the iron and DTF transfer prints. Avail low to medium heat instead of high heat.

Storing DTF-Printed Products

How garments and items with DTF printing are stored can also be a factor in how long the print will last. Following are some tips on storage that will help keep your items in good condition:

• Store items in a cool place and out of the sun. Too much UV rays could make the bright colours of the UV DTF wraps and UV DTF cup wraps fade with time.
•  In garments that tend to crease in the printing area, try not to fold them. In cases where one must fold the garment, fold them carefully in areas where the print is not going to be creased.

Caring for Accessories with DTF Prints

DTF printing is not limited to garments; it also includes cup, mug, and bottle products with DTF cup wraps or custom UV DTF cup wraps. Their care will include the following:

• Washing by hand with a soft sponge and mild soap will maintain the integrity of the UV DTF transfers. Avoid using scrubbing pads, as those can scratch the surface and destroy the design.
• The DTF prints should not be exposed to a dishwasher since, at high temperatures and in contact with detergents, DTF prints will fade out or peel.

Checking for Local Printing Services

You can search for "DTF printing near me" if you need more specialized DTF products by printing shops in your locality. Whether you need DTF gang sheets for huge orders or UV DTF cup wraps for personalized keepsakes, a deal with a local expert will assure you of high-quality prints made to last.