HEAT TRANSFER PRINTERS

DTF printers, heat transfer printers and more at Velflex

Yes, we offer world-class Mimaki printers (and they’re great, by the way). But what sets Velflex apart within the printing industry is our commitment to our customers long after they checkout. Our passion for the heat transfer industry means that not only do we sell great products and printing supplies, but we’re also a one-stop shop for unrivalled levels of education, Australian support and technical advice across our DTF printer range and beyond.

What is a DTF printer?

A DTF printer is a type of digital printing machine that allows for high-quality, full-colour printing onto DTF PET film to create transfers to be pressed onto a variety of fabrics. DTF stands for direct-to-film, which means the printer renders your design onto a special DTF film, then applies and cures a DTF powder adhesive, and finally transfers the design onto your blank material using a heat press. DTF printing has many advantages over other more traditional printing methods, such as:

• It does not require any pretreatment of fabrics.
• It uses water-based, biodegradable inks that are free of toxic chemicals.
• It produces vibrant and durable printouts with less ink consumption.
• It is easy to learn and operate, with a simple printing process.

DTG printing vs DTF printing

The direct-to-garment printer and direct-to-film printer are both popular methods for printing custom designs on garments, but they have some differences that may affect your choice. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Fabric limitations: A DTG printer can only print on natural fabrics like cotton, while a DTF printer can print on various material types, such as polyester, nylon, and fleece.
• Print quality: A DTG printer can produce high-quality prints with fine details and a wide range of colours, but it may struggle with dark fabrics or complex designs. A DTF printer can offer vibrant colours, durability, and versatility, especially on dark fabrics and intricate designs.
• Print durability: A DTG print is soft and breathable, but it may fade or crack over time if not washed properly. A DTF print has a soft feel and may peel off if the adhesive is not applied correctly, but it is more resilient and resistant to washing.
• Quantity: A DTG printer is faster and more efficient for small quantities of customised garments, as it does not require any additional steps or equipment. A DTF printer is more suitable for medium to large orders, as it can print multiple designs on a single film and transfer them to different garments with a heat press.

About the Mimaki TxF150-75 DTF printer

Mimaki's TxF150-75 is the company's first DTF printer that can print up to 80cm wide DTF transfer sheets. It uses PHT50 heat transfer pigment ink for DTF, which has five colours (CMYK and white) and meets the ECO PASSPORT criteria for the international textile safety standard “OEKO-TEX®”.

DTF printers often face problems with ink ejection and white ink clogging. To solve these problems, Mimaki has introduced a degassing ink design that uses aluminium packs for ink packaging, and a white ink circulation function called MCT (Mimaki Circulation Technology). The printer also has Mimaki's NCU (Nozzle Check Unit) and NRS (Nozzle Recovery System) software technologies that ensure smooth operation. They enable continuous printing without interruption to produce quality results that meet our customers' needs.

Velflex supplies the best DTF printers Australia have to offer

To find out more about our heat transfer printer range, click on one of the products above or get in touch with our team here.