Special Report Curing of direct to film adhesives
You have the machine, and you’re ready to produce, but how do you cure the transfers? There are many hardware options out there, each providing benefits and challenges to all size companies. Mark Vasilantone, president of Vastex International, explains each one and gives an idea of which may be best for you.
I
n direct to fi lm (DTF) technology, artwork is inkjet-printed onto an intermediate fi lm that can be transferred using heat onto cotton, polyester and other fabrics, as well as treated leather.
Once prepared, you can use the transfers immediately, store them for later, or sell
them as a fi nished product. In simplest terms, the transfers are printed with the colour layer fi rst, then with the white base. After printing, and while the ink is still wet, the graphic is coated in a powdered adhesive which must be heated to cure. A critical step in the DTF process is thorough and uniform curing of
Adding powdered adhesive to a recently printed DTF film
the adhesive. A properly cured transfer will have a glossy, orange peel texture. Printed transfers are generally cured using one of four types of equipment:
Heat presses
To cure the transfer on a clamshell heat press, the bottom platen should be heated. For presses without a bottom heating element, the press can be closed for 30 seconds to heat the bottom platen. Lay the transfer with adhesive side up on the bottom platen and hover the top platen above the transfer as closely as possible without touching. For swing-away models, set the machine to hover just above the transfer without making contact. Dwell time and temperature will depend on the make of heat press used, but estimate between one and fi ve minutes per transfer at 275°F to 350°F (135°C to 150°C).
Since most DTG and DTF shops own a heat press, this option is likely already available. However, using a heat press to cure DTF adhesives requires operator time and attention, and prevents the heat press from being used for other tasks, potentially creating a bottleneck in production. Most operate on 120V and should be operated below a separate powered exhaust hood to evacuate fumes.
Curing ovens
Designed to cure individual sheets of DTF fi lm up to 18x24in (460x610 mm), curing ovens are single-function devices that provide uniform heating at temperatures up to 300°F (150°C). Once the oven is heated to the desired temperature, the transfer sheet is inserted into a tray that slides in and out to retain the heat inside the body of the device.
An automatic timer and alarm signal the operator to remove the transfer. A typical setting is 260°F (127°C) at 120 seconds. A fume extractor or separate powered exhaust hood is strongly recommended.
Putting the cured film on a heat press | 48 | October 2026
Flash cure units With fl ash cure units, the transfer is placed on a vented platen over which the
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