Swing Design stands as the leading distributor of crafting machines and printers in the United States. Recognizing the booming custom apparel industry, Swing Design introduced its first DTF Printer in mid-2022. As the demand for DTF printing surged, Swing Design emerged as a market leader, offering top-notch bundles at unbeatable prices.
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Table of Content
See the Full DTF Process in Action!
Must Have Bundles to Launch your DTF Business
Advantages of DTF printing over traditional methods.
Unlike standard sublimation, which requires white 100% polyester material, the DTF process incorporates white ink, allowing it to be used on dark-colored materials. The film design undergoes a multi-step heating process, making it suitable for transfer onto various garments, including cotton, polyester, blends, and more.
Versatility and applications of DTF printing
The process of printing to a film increases your ability to be creative with where you can put your designs, applying the transfers to any textile surface, from shirts, bags, hats, and even shoes! DTF printing offers unparalleled color quality and detail, allowing your designs to stand out with a stunning visual impact wherever they go.
Print size - Our DTF printers come in a range of sizes, including 8", 13", 16", 20" and 24".
Speed - Print speed can make a difference when you are running a large scale business. This is often measured in either square feet per hour, or shirts per hour.
Maintenance - DTF printers require regular daily use to ensure that the machine is running properly. However, the amount of maintenance needed can vary.
Training - Once you get your machine, you are going to want to learn how to use it. Each brand offers service to help get your machine set up.
- DTF Station provides dedicated Zoom calls for set up and weekly training
calls are available
- Uninet provides a full Masterclass and 30 minute onboarding
- Epson has an onboarding set up call available to walk through the process.
- Roland tech support is full of dedicated Roland technicians prepared to help
with installation and training.
- STS completes an onboarding call to provide full set up instruction through
your first print.
Warranty and Post Purchase Care - Each machine has a warranty valid through the manufacturer. Check this information carefully as each is different. Most machines do also have the ability to extend that warranty for an additional cost.
Swing Design offers the leading brands in the DTF industry!
Prestige Direct to Film (DTF) Printers are the best reliable and affordable way to create high quality vibrant DTF transfers without sacrificing a large amount of space. Backed by both Prestige and Swing Design's lifetime U.S. based technical support, the Prestige DTF printer line has become the premier DTF printer. Start creating your own direct-to-film transfers at the home or in office and print gorgeous custom shirts. Print on various types of fabrics such as cotton, canvas, polyester, blend, nylon, rayon, rubber materials, and more!
Introducing the Roland VersaSTUDIO BY-20, the best desktop direct-to-film roll to roll DTF printer on the market. With simplicity at its core, this printer is a beacon of reliability and efficiency, transforming apparel and accessory decoration into a quick and easy process for everyone from entry-level print practitioners to seasoned professionals. Beyond its capabilities as a DTF printer, the BY-20 boasts dual integrated perf-cutting and vinyl cutting functionality, allowing users to create print and cut heat transfer graphics or utilize the machine as a vinyl cutter – all with a single, compact, and affordable device.
The UNINET DTF printing system features beautiful transfer film printing, white ink circulation system, ProRIP software, training and onboarding. The UNINET DTF machines produce durable and intense color prints, is built on the popular and reliable Epson engine, professionally modified and enhanced by UNINET. The UNINET DTF process has significant advantages over comparative systems. Works for multiple fabric types (cotton, poly, blends and more), and works on both light and dark textiles.
Take Direct to Garment (DTG) and Direct to Film (DTF) printing to the next level with these hybrid print solutions. Open new doors for your printing business with the versatile SureColor F2270 & F1070. Purpose-built for both DTG and DTFilm printing, this hybrid printer combines outstanding image quality, easy operation and great value. With DTFilm printing capability, go beyond traditional garment printing and transfer to a wider variety of materials, including uniquely shaped items.
For over twenty years, STS Inks has provided its customers with the American made quality they’ve come to expect, and DTF film printing is no exception. Having the correct adhesive powder can make all the difference in DTF printing. STS powders can withstand up to 40+ washes with great coverage and a high-level transfer rate. When it comes to DTF printing inks, STS leads the way with its vast array of high-quality inks, which have been specially formulated for this process and is made in the US where rigorous quality testing is the norm.
Besides the actual DTF Printer, what else do you need to create beautiful finished products? To accompany your printer, you will want a curing oven to melt the powder to create the adhesive. You can do this with either a stand alone curing oven, or with an inline shaker with oven combo. Both options have their own unique benefits. With an inline shaker oven combo, you are able to run a seamless production run for your business from print all the way through a final cured transfer. With constant printing capabilities and taking the rest off your hands, you can grow your business to new heights. For smaller businesses, not printing high quantity runs, a stand alone oven provides the ability to do one-at-a-time transfers. Most ovens now come with built in air purifiers, however if the oven you choose does not, an air purifier is highly recommended.
Next up - You will want a quality heat press to transfer your design onto it's final textile surface. Firm pressure and an even heat are necessary to ensure your end product is long lasting. To further streamline your business, an auto open clam shell or a dual shuttle press will shorten your production time and help you expand your capabilities.
Finish your design with the T. Seal Finishing Sheet. The T.Seal has a special coating that locks the transfer into the fibers of the shirt. This helps prevent the transfer from coming off when you wash the shirt. This finishing sheet is used in place of kraft paper for the post press only! T.Seal is reusable up to 500 presses.
As DTF printing requires white ink to create the vivid designs on dark surfaces, daily maintenance is essential. Stirring ink bottles, or gently agitating ink cartridges is crucial to avoid clogs. You will want to print a nozzle check at the beginning of each day to ensure that your designs will come out crisp. At the end of each day, cleaning of the system is necessary to prevent issues will the printer is sitting unused. Finally, if you are going to be away for an extended period of time, long term storage is highly recommended. Please see each brand for specific maintenance requirements.
Each machine comes with software that allows for the layout and preparation of your files for printing. This is called RIP software. As the RIP software is mostly for the print info, you will want to complete most of your designing elsewhere and bring those files into the RIP software for printing. A transparent background is recommended.
Ashley Nicastro
As an eCommerce Product Specialist at Swing Design, Ashley brings over 25 years of crafting experience to her role. Having been with Swing Design for 2 years, she’s dedicated to helping you discover the best products to fuel your creative projects. Check out the Swing Design Blog for all your product launches and tips!
