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Buckets of Ink Help CenterScreen printing, DTF & embroidery supply · Tempe, AZ since 2008
Short answer: Good DTF prints come from a handful of settings: the RIP color (ICC) profile matched to your ink and film, mirror on, the right amount of white underbase, a small white choke, a print mode (resolution and passes) that suits the job, and a room at about 40–60% humidity. Start from the profile and settings supplied for your printer and ink, and change one thing at a time.
1. RIP software and ICC profiles
The RIP turns your artwork into the color and white layers the printer lays down. Its ICC profile tells it how your exact ink and film reproduce color, so use the profile made for the ink you run. NeoStampa by Inédit, the DTF RIP we offer, has native ICC profile support, automatic white generation and nesting for gang sheets. If you change ink brands, change the profile too.
2. Mirror
DTF is printed on film and pressed ink-side down, so the job must print mirrored. Most DTF queues mirror automatically. A transfer that reads backwards after pressing means mirror was off.
3. White underbase amount
The printer lays the color layer first and the white on top. The white layer gives the transfer its opacity on dark garments and is the layer the hot-melt powder sticks to. More white gives a brighter print on dark shirts but uses more ink and takes longer to dry; too little lets the garment show through. Start from your RIP's default white setting for your ink, then adjust while checking a pressed sample. See DTF white ink for keeping white ink flowing.
4. White choke
Choke shrinks the white layer slightly inside the color edge so no white halo shows around the design. Too much choke can leave thin lines and small text without enough white under them. Set it in the RIP and check fine detail on a test print.
5. Print mode: resolution and passes
The print mode sets resolution and the number of passes. More passes generally give smoother fills and fewer visible lines but print slower. If you see lines across solid areas, check nozzles and feed before changing mode; see DTF printer banding.
6. Room temperature and humidity
Settings only work in the right room. Most DTF printers run best at about 40–60% relative humidity and roughly 65–80°F. Dry air dries ink in the nozzles, causes static on film and makes powder stick where it should not. Full details: DTF printer humidity and temperature.
7. Curing and pressing
After printing, the powder has to be cured and the transfer pressed at the temperature, time and pressure for your film and powder. See how to cure DTF powder and DTF heat press settings.
Your printer's own numbers
Exact values (white percentage, choke size, print modes, head height) depend on the printer, ink, film and RIP version, so we do not list one set of numbers for every machine. CobraFlex owners: use the profiles and settings supplied with your printer and RIP, and the printer spec sheet on the CobraFlex DTF printer page (Downloads). Need the manual for your model or help dialing in a setting? Call or text 480-229-7806.
Frequently asked questions
Do you mirror the image for DTF printing?
Yes. The printed side of the film faces the garment when you press, so DTF artwork prints mirrored (reversed). Most DTF RIP setups mirror the job for you; check that mirror is on in your print queue before you run a gang sheet.
What settings does a DTF printer need?
The main ones are the RIP color (ICC) profile for your ink and film, mirror, the white underbase amount, the white choke, the print mode (resolution and passes), and the room conditions. Start from the profile and settings supplied for your printer and ink, then change one setting at a time.
What is white choke in DTF?
Choke pulls the white layer in slightly from the edge of the color layer, so white does not peek out around the design. Your RIP sets it, usually in pixels or points.
What humidity does a DTF printer need?
Most DTF printers run best at about 40–60% relative humidity in a comfortable room, roughly 65–80°F. Dry air dries ink in the nozzles and causes static on film.
Where do I find the settings for my CobraFlex printer?
Use the profiles and settings that came with your CobraFlex printer and RIP, and the printer spec sheet on the printer page. If you need the manual or help with a setting, call or text 480-229-7806.
Related: DTF RIP software · DTF white ink · DTF banding · Unclog a DTF head · DTF printer maintenance · CobraFlex DTF printers
