Class Description:
Are you ready to DTF???
It’s finally here, the first class on using the Epson ET 8550 DTF printer conversion!
This class is an intro to the fundamentals of DTF printing, the CadLink Digital Factory DTF RIP (Raster Imaging Processor) software, artwork preparation, and the limitations of using a modified $800 printer in place of a $5000+ purpose built machine.
This printer is a large format printer that can print on up to 13”x19” sheets in CMYK+White.
What is DTF printing you may ask? To put it simply, it’s the love child between a regular silk screened printed t-shirt you might buy from your favorite band at their concert, and the crunchy printable heat transfer vinyl you can buy at Michaels, with the flexibility of it being compatible substrates beyond polyester - the limitation with dye sublimation. Additionally, this printer can print in white ink, allowing colors to pop on colored t-shirts.
DTF is Direct To Film printing where a special DTF ink is printed onto a treated film with a similar feel as parchment paper. Once the ink is printed - the ink stays wet, and you sprinkle a magical DTF powder (I think it’s polyurethane) over the print, and the powder adheres to the wet ink. Once you shake off the excess powder, the film is then cured/baked until the adhesive flows and bonds with the ink. Once that is done and is allowed to cool, you then have a transfer that is ready to heat pressed onto your favorite item.
The difference between this and heat transfer vinyl is the elasticity of the transfer. The final DTF transfer has the “feel” of a silk screened shirt and not the stiffness of regular vinyl. Additionally, the final transfer is effectively your artwork on a thin layer of an elastic PU hotmelt adhesive. This means, as long as you can apply the right temperature and pressure, this can be transferred onto objects other than clothes, such as backpacks, leather, wood, and more!
I will be teaching you the basic workflow of the software, preparation of the printer, and the curing/transfer process. This software is industry grade and gives you a lot of control over the printing process; I will just be teaching you the basics, showing you which knobs that can be turned, and good starting settings that seem to work well.
If you would like, bring an image you would like to test with and we can print it. The software can handle transparency/alpha layers, so if you want to print something with a transparent background, be sure to export your artwork with transparency enabled and as a PNG file. Otherwise, any normal image format is fine. Like most prints, a resolution of 300dpi is recommended, but not required.
If you would like to transfer it to something, bring that as well. We’re going to gang everyone’s prints on a single piece of DTF paper, so don’t expect much more than a 3.5”x3.5” image. Though, if you would like to do something larger, you’re more than welcome to use the printer immediately after the class.
ACTHUNG!
This is a modified printer that is not intended to print DTF, while there is a large community out there that uses this exact software and setup for production, it is after-all, a hack. So treat this process as an art more than a science. Before you transfer your first print onto your great grandmother's heirloom nightie, practice on some t-shirts or bags you bought from ARC first. One other note, our heat press does not maintain a consistent temperature. I’ve measured a 30 degree temperature differential between the front and back after it’s been on and allowed to soak, as well as 50 degree differences between the set temperature and measured temp. Additionally, please share your experience with everyone on the #printer-suite slack channel as we all learn how to integrate this printer into our workspace.
**This Class is for Members ONLY**
