Are you excited to make UV DTF (Direct-To-Film) transfers but aren't sure how to get started? Well, don't worry. We've got you!
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create your own UV DTF decals. We'll discuss the materials you'll need, the exact step-by-step process, and, as an added bonus, we'll hit you with a few insider tips that will help take you from DTF beginner to UV decal superstar.
Ready? Let's go!
What is a UV DTF Transfer?
UV DTF or direct-to-film transfer is a method of UV printing that places ink directly onto an adhesive. You might also hear them called UV DTF stickers, UV DTF decals, or even UV DTF wraps. They all refer to the same process.
UV DTF transfers are an excellent way of customizing all types of objects, including those that are large or oddly shaped.
You could use UV DTF transfers to personalize your child's sports equipment or create your own business logos for your company vehicle. You could label DIY flight simulator controls or even generate custom labels for your power tools.
The possibilities for UV DTF printing are very broad, and part of its power comes from this type of decal.
Why Choose UV DTF Transfers Over Stickers?
Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why would I waste time making UV DTF transfers when I could just buy stickers and just use those?" Great question!
There are really two reasons why most people choose UV DTF over other types of object printing.
1. UV DTF Decals Offer More Customization
Buying a pack of stickers severely limits your design choices to what is commercially available. That limitation applies not only to the style of design but also the size and resolution of the stickers. Plus, you'll have to search numerous designs to find one you like.
UV DTF transfers, on the other hand, aren't stifled like stickers are. As long as you can find or design an image you like, you can make it a decal and put it wherever you want.
2. UV DTF Decals Offer More Durability
Likewise, durability is a key benefit of UV DTF decals. The inks used to create UV DTF prints are much more durable than paper stickers. They're almost always less reactive to moisture and can even handle some use and abuse.
That said, UV DTF decals are not truly permanent. You still need to handle them with care, especially on items exposed to frequent friction or harsh cleaning.
What You'll Need to Print UV DTF Transfers
So, now that we've covered the reasoning behind custom UV DTF transfers, let's talk a bit about the materials you'll need to create them.
A UV Flatbed Printer
In this instance, we'll be using our own eufyMake E1 UV printer as an example. Not only is it the perfect size for UV DTF prints, but the quality level of the prints it produces is perfect for UV DTF decals.
We love E1, but if you have another UV DTF printer, that's completely fine. You'll just need to adapt your process slightly.
eufyMake E1 UV Printer
Create stunning 3D texture and vibrant color on almost any surface. Compact yet versatile — built for both business and creative home use.
UV DTF Film
Our eufyMake E1 printer comes with two types of adhesive UV DTF film. We label these types as "Film A" and "Film B."
Film A is the ADHESIVE film that you'll print your design on.
Film B is the LAMINATION film that will be dressed over the finished design, so we can transfer it to our final surface. You'll need both.
A DTF Laminator
The laminator serves as the final step before application. Once the design is printed you'll remove it from the E1, and run the entire sheet of decals through the laminator.
Design Software
We'll be using eufyMake Studio, as it's made for working with our eufyMake E1 UV printer. It's easy to use and super intuitive. Plus, it allows you to upload your designs and print them directly onto the substrate.
However, if you have a different design software suite you'd like to use, feel free to do so. The important thing here is to have a way to get your design from your phone or computer so that you can print it on to the substrate.
A Cool Design
This is a given. You'll need to either find a design or make one.
The good news is that if you're using eufyMake Studio software, you can use its onboard tools-including the AI design studio-to create something you love.
We used eufyMake Studio to generate the fox image above, then added our own custom lettering.
Now that you've gathered your supplies, it's time to offer you a few tips before you start printing.
Things to Know Before You Start Making UV DTF Decals
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You can print more than one design on a single sheet of DTF film. Doing so will save you time and reduce film waste.
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DTF film and inks should only be applied to solid surfaces. Don't use them to make T-shirts or other clothing items.
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UV DTF transfers aren't always the best choice for extremely detailed or highly textured work. Sharp edges, and long, thin lines can chip when you remove the lamination layer from your design.
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Familiarize yourself with the production process before committing to longer/larger prints. That way you can see how the transfer behaves before wasting ink and time.
How to Make UV DTF Transfers: 3 Steps
Now it's time to finally get down to business. Let's walk you through the steps to getting your UV DTF design printed and applied.
Step 1: Designing & Placement
First, place your adhesive substrate onto the print bed of the eufyMake E1. Then peel back the top layer of clear plastic to expose the adhesive.
Next, in eufyMake Studio, click the + tab on the upper left of the screen to open a new canvas. Once that canvas opens, hit the green "Snapshot" button to scan your print bed. This will take a moment or two.
When the scan is complete, you can upload an image or use the onboard tools to make a new design.
Finally, position your design onto the snapshot image of the print bed and adjust its size and placement. You can even right-click and select Duplicate if you'd like to make more than one decal instance.
Step 2: Printing
After you've adjusted the design, hit the Print button in the lower-right corner of the eufyMake Studio screen. This will transfer your design to the printer. When prompted, press the green button on E1. You should hear a chime indicating that the printer has started the printing process.
Step 3: Laminating
When printing is complete, you'll get a notification from eufyMake Studio. But we're not done quite yet. Now we have to laminate the print so we can effectively transfer it.
Carefully remove the printed design from the E1's print bed. Make sure your laminating machine is on and ready. Then, place your design, with the adhesive side up, into the laminator.
Hit the heating button, and your design should automatically begin to feed through the machine.
When the design is all the way through the laminator, use the green onboard cutter to separate it. For large numbers of decals, the included eufyMake cutting mat can help separate individual prints into more manageable sizes.
How to Apply UV DTF Transfers
Now you get the UV DTF Transfers! Let's talk about how to apply them on the items.
Step 1: Clean the Surface
Before anything else, make sure the surface of your item is clean. Dust, oil, or even fingerprints can weaken the adhesive.
Use an alcohol wipe or a clean cloth with a bit of isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the area thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Step 2: Remove the Backing Sheet
Then you'll need to remove the paper or plastic backing sheet. This will expose the adhesive attached to the design.
Step 3: Apply the Design
Next, apply your design to your surface, and, using your fingers, press out any air bubbles. Don't rush this step because trapped air bubbles can alter the design.
Step 4: Peel Off the Top Film
Now, carefully peel the top laminating layer from the design. Take your time here so you can ensure the print stays attached to the object.
If it peels up with the laminate, press it back down firmly and try to peel from a different angle. The slower you go here, the better the results will be.
Step 5: You're Done!
Congratulations! If you completed these steps, then you should have a newly applied decal that you can be proud of.
Now step back and admire your custom piece. Once you've done it once, it's hard not to start looking for the next item to decorate.
Most UV DTF designs don’t need extra curing. But if you want extra durability, you can let the object sit in sunlight or under a UV lamp for 30–60 seconds after applying.
Putting It All Together
Once you see how simple this process is, we know you'll want to customize everything. Hopefully, with this guide, you can feel a little more confident approaching this task with UV DTF decals and transfers.
UV DTF decals are easily one of the most exciting aspects of UV printing, and using them correctly opens up an entire world of design possibilities. They can even offer customization options that wouldn't be available in any other medium.
So, don't be afraid to try making your own UV DTF decals. Happy Printing!
FAQs
Can you put items that have UV DTF decals into the dishwasher?
We don't recommend putting any items made with E1 into the dishwasher. That said, we've tried it, and often the designs weren't heavily damaged.
How long does UV DTF last?
UV DTF decals are made to last for years. The UV-cured ink is water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and won’t fade easily in sunlight. If you put them on a clean, smooth surface, they can stay bright and in good shape for 3 to 5 years or even longer.
Can you remove UV DTF decals?
You can remove UV DTF decals, but it’s not easy. They stick very well, so it may take some work to peel them off. Using warm water or a hair dryer can help loosen the adhesive. After peeling the decal off, you might find some sticky residue left behind. You can clean this away with rubbing alcohol, but be careful not to damage the surface.
Can you put UV DTF decals on fabric?
UV DTF decals don’t work well on fabric.They are meant for smooth, hard surfaces like plastic, wood, glass, or metal. If you try to put them on clothing or other fabrics, they won’t stick well and will likely peel or crack quickly. For fabric, it’s better to use something made for textiles, like heat-transfer vinyl or traditional DTF.
