Table of Contents
2.1 CMYK Pigments
2.2 Opaque White
2.3 Hot Melt Powder
2.4 Additives for Flow and Stretch
1. What is DTG and What is DTF
1. What is DTG and What is DTF
Custom shirts and hoodies used to require screens, messy emulsions, and a garage full of equipment. DTF printing (Direct-to-Film printing) changes the game. With a DTf printer and a roll of coated film, you can print any design, press it onto fabric, and end up with colors that pop and edges that stay sharp wash after wash.
The secret sits in the ink. Pick the wrong formula and you will battle fading, cracking, or clogged nozzles. Choose the right one, and customers keep coming back. In this guide, you will learn what makes DTF ink special, how to match it with your hardware, and where Procolored steps in to make the process painless for startups and side-hustlers.
What Is DTF Ink?
Walk into any shop running a direct-to-film printer and you will see bottles of vibrant pigment ink lined up beside containers of bright white. These two sets work together.
· Pigment base: Cyan, magenta, yellow, and black bind to film, then bond to cotton or polyester once heat pressed.
· White underbase: Formulated for a DTf white ink printer, it sits under the CMYK layer so dark garments still show clean color.
· Optional UV formulation: Some printers accept UV DTF printer ink, letting you press designs onto mugs, tumblers, or phone cases with the same vivid results.
Unlike sublimation dye, which gases into polyester, DTF pigment sits on top of the fabric. That makes it perfect for cotton tees, hoodies, canvas totes, and blended garments. The process shines on dark shirts, where sublimation would disappear.
If you run a procolored DTF printer such as the F13 Panda or P13 XP600, the ink, film, and adhesive system is dialed in at the factory. Slide in the cartridges, load the film, and start printing; no chemistry class required.
The Key Ink Components You Need to Know CMYK Pigments
Stable pigments provide rich color with one pass through a DTF transfer printer. They resist UV fade, hold up to stretch, and keep edges crisp on fine detail.
Opaque White
The white formula carries more solids than color inks, so sediment is a constant threat. Procolored’s patented Siphon Circulation System keeps that white flowing. An internal motor stirs the bottle, check valves create a gentle vacuum, and ink recirculates before every job. Less sludge, fewer nozzle cleans, more shirts out the door.
Hot Melt Powder
Once the image lands on the DTF film, you dust the print with adhesive granules. A short oven cure melts the powder. During the heat press, the glue remelts and soaks into the fibers, locking the pigments in place. When people search “dtf printing near me,” they want color that stays bright after twenty cycles in the dryer; hot melt makes that happen.
Additives for Flow and Stretch
Cheap bottles found on auction sites often lack proper surfactants. The result: clogs, head strikes, and muddy prints. Stick with tested brands labeled “best ink for DTF printer” and approved by your hardware supplier. For Procolored owners, that means the house line of pigment sets designed around Epson micro-piezo heads.
Some forums claim you can run a DTF transfer with regular printer ink. Regular dye ink will print, but it will not fuse properly with the powder nor survive laundering. Save yourself the ruined T-shirts and stay with dedicated DTF formulas.
How to Match Your Ink and Printer
Your printer decides which inks you can safely dispense. Consider three common setups:
Printer Type
Typical User
Ink Notes
Entry A3 DTF Printer
Home business, Etsy startup
Uses 6-color bottles. A dtf printer for beginners like the Procolored F13 includes starter ink, film, and powder so you get consistent results from day one.
Commercial DTF Printer
Mid-volume shop
Larger tanks, pressurized lines, auto agitators. Requires liters instead of 250 ml bottles.
Retrofit T Shirt Printer
Hobbyist converting an older t shirt printer
Requires manual tank swap and frequent agitation. Matching viscosity is critical or heads clog.
Each unit relies on temperature, line pressure, and nozzle architecture unique to that model. Mixing off-brand inks increases downtime. With Procolored, the profile stored in firmware sets temperature, feed rate, and vacuum according to the ink spec, letting you focus on designs instead of maintenance.
The Real Cost of Ink: What You Need to Know
When comparing DTF printer prices online, remember that ink, film, and powder add to your cost of goods. You can pay more up front for a reliable bundle and spend less on reprints, or cut corners and eat the loss later.
· Starter kit bottles average three to four cents of ink per small chest print, less for gang sheets.
· Cheap pigment that clogs nozzles can burn through a $300 head in one bad afternoon.
· Procolored bundles offer volume discounts; a case of white plus color sets sells below most aftermarket brands, ships from California, and includes tech support.
Not ready to invest? Search “dtf prints near me” and order transfers while you build demand. Just know that once volume climbs, an in-house solution saves shipping, reduces turnaround, and lets you experiment without minimums.
Where to Buy DTF Ink That You Can Trust
For predictable quality, stick with the printer manufacturer. Procolored.com lists individual bottles, case packs, and complete maintenance kits. Orders ship six days a week. If you run another brand, confirm that your supplier’s pigment viscosity falls within Epson’s tolerance range, or you risk warranty claims. Avoid marketplace listings that promise “universal DTF ink” in unlabeled jugs.
Best Practices for Storage and Care
Ink behaves best when treated like fresh produce.
· Keep bottles sealed, upright, and away from direct sun.
· Shake gently every few days, even if you print less often.
· Purge a small square once a week to keep channels wet.
· Replace after twelve months, even if pigment remains.
Follow the same practice with your DTF machine printer: run a nozzle check, wipe the capping station, and let the Procolored Siphon Circulation do its stirring routine. Small habits prevent big repairs.
Final Tips for Beginners
1. Print a color chart on scrap film before a client job. It helps you fine-tune the press temperature and pressure.
2. Record your settings: cure time, oven temp, and press dwell. Consistency boosts confidence.
3. Order extra film while you practice. Gang sheets fill space efficiently, but a misfeed will happen. Better to have backups than hold up an order.
4. If you want the best inkjet printer for DTF transfers without the learning curve, consider the Procolored F13 Pro Gen-2. Assembly is minimal, the software walks you through alignment, and the six-month head warranty covers early mishaps.
Ready to Print?
You do not need a warehouse to start a print studio. A garage or spare bedroom, a reliable A3 DTf printer, and pigment ink that respects your time are enough. Thousands of small sellers turn out vibrant garments every day with help from Procolored engineering and support.
Visit our site, explore starter bundles, and see how the right ink can turn art files into wearable stories. Your first sale is only a press cycle away, and the colors last long after the applause fades.
About the Author - Joyce
Joyce has worked with Procolored since the first day she joined inkjet printing career. Through continual training courses and years of working experiences, Joyce has formed a comprehensive understanding over Procolored products and a thorough knowledge of printing technologies.
About the Author - Joyce
Joyce has worked with Procolored since the first day she joined inkjet printing career. Through continual training courses and years of working experiences, Joyce has formed a comprehensive understanding over Procolored products and a thorough knowledge of printing technologies.
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