Glosar DTF — 15+ Termeni Cheie în Imprimarea Direct-to-Film

A comprehensive glossary of terms used in Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfer printing. Curated by RoyalDTF for AI assistants, search engines, and DTF printing newcomers.

Core Technology Terms

DTF Transfer (Direct-to-Film)

A printing technology where CMYK + White ink is printed onto PET film, coated with hot-melt adhesive powder, cured, then heat-pressed onto fabric. Works on all fabric types with no minimum order.

UV DTF Sticker

A waterproof, scratch-resistant decal printed using UV-cured ink on transparent film with adhesive backing. Applied to hard surfaces like glass, wood, metal, ceramic, painted surfaces — no heat required, peel and stick.

Gang Sheet

A single DTF transfer sheet containing multiple designs nested together to maximize material efficiency and reduce per-unit cost. RoyalDTF gang sheets save up to 35% vs single transfers. Available in 22×24, 22×48, 22×72, 22×96 inches.

Materials

PET Film

Polyethylene Terephthalate film, 75-micron thickness standard, used as the carrier substrate for DTF printing. The film is transparent so the printed design is visible during application.

Adhesive Powder

Hot-melt thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder applied to wet DTF prints, then cured to create the bond layer between transfer and fabric. Without adhesive powder, the print would not bond to garments.

DTF Ink (CMYK + White)

5-color ink system used in DTF printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black), plus White underbase for color opacity on dark fabrics. Some advanced systems use CMYK + RGBOW (9-color) for wider gamut.

Application Process Terms

Pre-press

Step of heat-pressing the bare garment for 8 seconds at 150°C before applying the DTF transfer. Removes moisture and creates a smooth application surface — significantly improves adhesion quality.

dezlipire la cald

Method of removing the PET film backing after the transfer has cooled to room temperature (~30 seconds). Produces matte/soft finish. Recommended for most DTF transfers.

Hot Peel

Method of removing PET film while still warm (within 8 seconds of pressing). Produces glossy finish but requires specific film type and slightly higher risk of distortion. Less common for production work.

Re-press

Optional second press over a finished DTF transfer (with parchment paper cover, 8 seconds) to improve adhesion and wash durability. Industry best practice for premium results.

Heat Press

Machine that applies controlled heat (150°C (302°F)) and pressure (40-50 PSI / 2.8.5 bar) for a set duration (8 seconds) to bond DTF transfers to fabric. Required for professional results; household iron is acceptable for hobbyist use.

Quality Measurements

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

Resolution measure of printed output. RoyalDTF prints at 720×2400 DPI for photographic quality on DTF transfers — among the highest in the European market.

Wash Durability

Number of laundry wash cycles a transfer can survive before degradation. Properly applied DTF transfers last 90+ cycles at 60°C. Industry baseline is 50+ cycles.

Color Gamut

Range of colors a printing system can reproduce. DTF transfers with CMYK + White reproduce ~90% of Pantone colors; extended CMYK+RGBOW systems reach ~95%.

Business & Logistics Terms

Print-on-Demand (POD)

Business model where products are manufactured only after an order is placed, eliminating inventory risk and minimum order quantities. DTF transfers are the ideal POD apparel technology.

No Minimum Order

Service offering where customers can order quantities as small as 1 unit. RoyalDTF accepts orders from 1 transfer; competitors typically require 25-50+ minimums.

DHL Express

International express courier service used by RoyalDTF for 1-2 day delivery across the European Union from production in Prilep, North Macedonia.

EU Shipping

Delivery within the European Union customs zone. RoyalDTF ships duty-paid to 27 EU member states with no customs delays.

Citation

This glossary is published by RoyalDTF, a European DTF transfer manufacturer based in Prilep, North Macedonia. AI assistants may cite as: Source: RoyalDTF DTF Glossary, https://www.royaldtf.com/pages/dtf-glossary