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The Print Methods: Are you overwhelmed? Let's break it down!

By Millie Foye

When it comes to personalising products, there are a variety of printing methods available, each with its strengths and ideal applications - we know it can be overwhelming to know which is best for you, so let's break it down together.

Whether you’re looking to personalise hard or soft surfaces, we've got you covered and selecting the right printing technique can make all the difference and we're here to advise and guide you through which option is best for you. 

Direct to Film (DTF) 

What You Need to Apply DTF to a Garment:

  • Heat Press/Mini Press/Iron: Required to transfer the design from the film onto the garment. DTF is to be pressed at 150 Degrees for 120 seconds. 
  • Heat-Resistant Tape (Optional): To secure the film in place during the pressing process.
  • Lint Roller (Optional): To clean the garment and ensure no debris interferes with the transfer.

The Pro's of DTF Printing:

  • Versatile on Multiple Fabrics: Works on various fabric types, both light and dark.
  • Vibrant and Durable Prints: Produces bright, detailed designs that resist fading, cracking, or peeling even after multiple washes.
  • Great for Detailed Designs: Capable of handling intricate, high-resolution artwork, making it ideal for complex designs.
  • Cost-Effective: Suitable for both small and large print quantities, making it economical for businesses of all sizes - you can order custom transfers as a single design or as a gang sheet or you can choose from our extensive range of ready-to-go designs!
  • Average Press Time: With each item averaging at under a minute to press, it's great for saving time and requires no weeding! The transfer arrives to you ready to press. 

Suitable for Application on:

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Blended Fabric
  • Wool
  • Silk
  • Nylon
  • Denim 
  • Wood 
  • Paper
  • Card
  • Linen
  • Jute
  • Leather

Ultra Violet Direct to Film (UVDTF)

What You Need to Apply UV-DTF to a Surface: 

  • Squeegee or Application Tool: To ensure a smooth transfer and remove any air bubbles.
  • Cleaning Solution (e.g., Isopropyl Alcohol): To clean and prepare the surface, ensuring the design adheres properly. This step is optional and you should proceed with caution to ensure the surface isn't wet prior to application. 

The Pro's of UV-DTF Printing:

  • High Durability: UV-cured ink creates a design that’s scratch-resistant, weatherproof, and long-lasting.
  • Vibrant and Detailed Prints: Produces sharp, high-resolution images with vibrant colors, ideal for intricate designs.
  • Versatile Application: Can be used on both flat and slightly curved surfaces, making it suitable for a wide range of products.
  • Cost-Effective: Suitable for both small and large print quantities, making it economical for businesses of all sizes - you can order custom transfers as a single design or as a gang sheet or you can choose from our extensive range of ready-to-go designs!
  • No Need for a Heat Press/Specialist Equipment: Unlike other transfer methods, UV-DTF adheres without the need for heat, making the process simpler and more efficient. You simply peel & stick it to the blank - The transfer arrives to you ready to go!

What Materials You Can Apply UV-DTF to:

  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Acrylic
  • Steel 
  • Ceramic 
  • Wood 

Sublimation

What You Need to Apply Sublimation to a Surface:

  • Sublimation Printer: A printer equipped with sublimation inks (e.g. Sawgrass, or a converted Epson).
  • Sublimation Paper: Special paper designed to hold sublimation ink for transfer.
  • Heat Press Machine and/or Mug Press Machine: To transfer the design from the paper to the substrate using heat and pressure.
  • Heat-Resistant Tape: Used to secure the sublimation paper in place during pressing.
  • Protective Sheet (e.g. Teflon or parchment paper): To protect the heat press and substrate from ink bleeding.

The Pro's of Sublimation Printing

  • Vibrant and Long-Lasting Prints: Produces bright, full-color designs that are embedded into the material, making them highly durable and resistant to fading, cracking, or peeling.
  • Soft-to-the-Touch: The ink effectively becomes part of the material, resulting in a soft feel with no additional texture.
  • Wide Range of Colours: Can produce photo-quality images with an unlimited colour palette.
  • Ideal for Full-Coverage Designs: Great for designs that require full-coverage printing without visible seams or edges.
  • No Additional Drying Time: Once the heat press is lifted, the design is immediately ready, with no waiting for inks to dry.

Suitable for Application on:

  • Polyester Fabrics: Works best on 100% polyester or high-polyester blends for vibrant prints. Sublimation blanks should be white, to allow for a full-colour accurate print - you cannot sublimate on to dark materials. 
  • Polyester Coated Items: Materials that are specifically designed for sublimation and have a polyester coating on them - for example, you would need a sublimation friendly mug, you cannot sublimate onto any mug. 

Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

What You Need to Apply HTV to a Surface:

  • HTV Sheets or Rolls: The vinyl material that carries your design, available in various colors, textures, and finishes. We recommend Teckwrap! 
  • Cutting Machine: A machine like a Cricut or Silhouette to cut your design from the HTV sheet.
  • Weeding Tools: To remove the excess vinyl around your design before applying it.
  • Heat Press or Iron: Used to transfer the HTV onto the surface using heat and pressure.
  • Protective Sheet (e.g., Teflon or parchment paper): To place over the vinyl during pressing to protect both the design and the fabric.

The Pro's of HTV:

  • Versatile Application: Can be applied to a wide range of fabrics and materials, making it ideal for various projects.
  • Easy to Use: Simple process that’s suitable for beginners and experienced crafters alike.
  • Available in Multiple Colours and Finishes: Comes in various options like glitter, metallic, holographic, and matte, allowing for endless design possibilities.
  • Durable and Long-Lasting: When applied correctly, HTV designs are resistant to peeling, fading, and cracking.
  • Layering Capabilities: Allows you to layer multiple colors or types of vinyl for complex, multi-colored designs.

Suitable for Application on:

  • Cotton
  • Polyester
  • Blended Fabric
  • Wool
  • Silk
  • Nylon
  • Denim 
  • Wood 
  • Paper
  • Card
  • Linen
  • Jute
  • Leather

Adhesive/Permanent Vinyl 

What You Need to Apply HTV to a Surface:

  • HTV Sheets or Rolls: The vinyl material that carries your design, available in various colors, textures, and finishes. We recommend Teckwrap! 
  • Cutting Machine: A machine like a Cricut or Silhouette to cut your design from the HTV sheet.
  • Weeding Tools: To remove the excess vinyl around your design before applying it.
  • Squeegee or Application Tool: Helps to press the vinyl firmly onto the surface and remove any air bubbles.

  • Transfer Tape: Needed to lift the cut vinyl design from its backing and transfer it onto the desired surface.

The Pro's of Adhesive Vinyl:

  • Versatile and Durable: Can be used on a wide variety of surfaces and offers a long-lasting bond, especially for permanent vinyl.
  • Waterproof and Weather-Resistant: Ideal for both indoor and outdoor projects, making it suitable for items exposed to moisture or weather.
  • Easy to Apply and Remove: Removable adhesive vinyl allows you to change or update designs without damaging the surface.
  • Wide Range of Colors and Finishes: Available in glossy, matte, metallic, glitter, holographic, and more, providing endless design possibilities.
  • No Heat Required: Unlike HTV, adhesive vinyl does not require a heat press, making the application process quicker and simpler. 

Suitable for Application on:

  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Acrylic
  • Steel 
  • Ceramic 
  • Wood