Your Custom ApparelSupply Destination
Sign In
Need Help?800-891-1094
DTF printing, or Direct-to-film printing, is a process of printing on textiles using inkjet technology.
It is one of the latest additions to the textile industry and has made it possible for businesses to print full-color images and designs onto t-shirts, hoodies, and other garments. While DTF printing machines offer many benefits over traditional screen printing methods, there are some important things to consider when it comes to artwork requirements. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips for creating artwork that is ready for DTF printing.
You may hear this a bunch when working with sign printing, or other prints where the files need to be blown up to a larger size. Vector format images are just another way of turning your shapes into math formulas that your graphic system can recreate at any size.
When designing artwork for DTF printers, the quality needed is only around 300 dpi, so you don’t need to make sure that the art file is saved in a vector format. If you can print the file out on a sheet of paper, and it looks clean, then it will look great on the shirt.
Vector files such as .ai, .eps, and .svg will properly maintain the design’s integrity when taking a small file and enlarging it to large sizes. But you can just as easily use bitmap files to create stunning graphics that look exactly how you envisioned.
Choosing the right size for your artwork when printing can make a huge difference in the end product. Here were talking about the ratio of the design size to the garment.
A printed hat, for example, with the wrong size art may not only look disproportionate but will likely be illegible and almost unrecognizable. Ensuring the design size fits the garment you are putting it on is an important step in creating a custom look that meets your preference and needs.
Having the right size prevents “swallowed” designs, where artwork is lost or distorted due to being too small. Too big of a design can also be a problem, as it can hang off or move away from the fabric. Additionally, if you plan to reproduce multiple of the same pieces, sizing consistency becomes even more important to keep everything looking neat and well put together. When it comes to designs, size matters!
Taking time to make sure your artwork fits its printed product’s exact dimensions before having it printed will ensure you receive the results you were expecting and that all of your hard work designing isn’t wasted. It’s essential to plan ahead so that when it comes time to print your masterpiece, there are no missteps in getting it just right.
Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of legibility and accuracy when writing text. When your audience can’t read every word you write, or isn’t sure of the spelling, that’s a bad sign.
It’s even worse if they need to double-check online just to figure out what you meant! With a little extra effort – and maybe a helpful spell-checker – you can help ensure that all of your text is perfectly easy to read and understand. That way, your message won’t be misinterpreted and instead will come through loud and clear.
When producing artwork, it’s important to use a high-resolution image file like a .jpg or .png at a setting of 300 dpi or higher. Digital art like logos, photographs, and illustrations can lose details if the resolution is too low for print production so making sure the settings are correct is crucial for producing quality images. Not only will your work look better when you use high-resolution art files but you’ll also save yourself time and money in the long run because you won’t have to fix any blurry images that could have been avoided in the first place.
When it comes to t-shirt design, one of the most important things to remember is to keep your elements within the safe zone. If you don’t, there’s a chance that when printing out your t-shirt, some parts of your art may get cut off from the page size. It can be especially tricky with t-shirts given the fabric and shape, so it’s always best practice to prepare ahead of time and make sure everything fits within well-defined bounds. This will ensure that when your t-shirt arrives at its destination, not a part of your artwork is missing!
The bottom line when it comes to digital transfer printing is getting accurate, detailed artwork for great results. All art files must be in vector format, sized properly for the product, include legible and correct text, as well as have a high-resolution image file with elements within the safe zone. With these pointers in mind, you’ll have no problem ensuring your artwork looks beautiful printed on anything! Good luck with your designs and remember – if you’re ever unsure you can always reach out to an experienced printer for assistance. Interested in starting your own DTF printing business? If so, do some research and find resources that fit your needs – success is just a click away!
