DTF (Direct to Film) Explanation

Design gets loaded into the printer's programs, ready for print (Design has no colour or personalization restrictions). The printer will print the design directly onto the film. After printing all the colours, the printer will apply a white layer of ink. The printer will then pull the film through and apply a specialized hot melt powder on the back of the printed design. The film will then be pulled through an automatic powder shaker that will remove any excess powder from the design. Thereafter, the film will be pulled through a curing oven to melt the hot melt powder, leaving it ready to be transferred. The printed design will then be placed on the item inside of our Heat Press Machine and pressed down in order for the print to be transferred onto soft substrate items such as bags, caps, and umbrellas, etc. Depending on the item, the heat, time, and pressure vary. Since the design is directly transferred onto the material, it allows the design to be more detailed. NO background or weeding required.

Pad Printing

Pad Printing is the process where the desired image is printed on a sheet of laser film which is then transferred onto a printing plate. The inked image is then transferred from the photo-etched plate to a thick, soft silicone pad. Each pad differs depending on the size and shape of the print. The pad is then pressed against the object, transferring the image from the pad to the 3D object. Pad printing is usually used for printing onto hard objects such as pens, bottles, mugs, etc. Only one colour is printed at a time but, depending on the object, up to four colours can be pad printed.

Screen Printing

The process uses a permeable mesh that is stretched tightly across a metal frame and then glued in place. An image is printed on a sheet of laser film which is transferred onto the screen during the photo-chemical exposing process. The screen is then placed over the material that is being printed. Ink is placed onto the screen and then forced through the porous mesh using a squeegee that is drawn across the screen. The ink passes through the mesh as pressure is applied with the squeegee. The ink only passes through the open areas.

UV Printing

UV printing is a unique technique of digital printing that uses ultra-violet lights (UV Lights) to dry the ink almost as soon as it comes in contact with the object being printed. As the printer dispenses the ink onto the surface of the object, specially designed UV lights follow close behind, curing the ink almost instantly. Due to the UV lights curing the ink almost instantaneously, there is no chance of the ink spreading, which gives the results of much finer details. This technique of printing can be used on almost any type of object, as long as it fits in the flatbed.

Doming

Doming is a process where two chemicals are combined to create a clear resin which is then carefully applied onto a two-dimensional surface such as stickers, labels, etc. This process gives a more appealing three-dimensional look whereas the sticker has a more two-dimensional look. Doming also strengthens the quality of the sticker, as well as prolongs the lifetime of the sticker due to the resin sealing the image underneath.

Sublimation

Desired designs and artworks are digitally printed on specific dye sublimation papers and specific dye sublimation inks. These inks have the special ability to convert from a solid, which is the print on the sublimation paper, to a gas, without going through the liquid form, when heat is applied. The sublimation paper is applied to the object using special heat-resistant tape. Once heat is applied, the ink moves from the solid state to the gas form which then bonds with the sublimation coating of the object in a molecular form.

Embroidery

An artwork, image, or design is digitized into a language that the embroidery machine can interpret. The item that is being embroidered is placed onto the embroidery machine's frames. The item needs to be stretched tightly across the secured frames which move as the needles stitch. Each needle is threaded with a single thread. There are multiple needles threaded with either various or similar colours. The digitized artwork is then stitched into the material stitch by stitch, revealing the desired image.

Stickers

Ink is transferred onto a special vinyl paper according to the desired artwork or design. The ink is heat-dried as it’s being printed to prevent it from smudging or leaking.

Heat Press

A design or artwork is printed onto a special vinyl backing that is activated by heat, allowing the print to merge itself with the material being printed on. Depending on the item, the heat, time, and pressure vary. Since the design is directly transferred onto the material, it allows the design to be more detailed.

Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is the process where the laser causes a beam of heat that physically irradiates the surface of the object, etching away layer after layer of the item to expose a cavity that then appears as an image at eye level. The Laser Engraver marks with short pulses, which makes it possible for the design or artwork to be more detailed.