One of our customers recently mentioned that another distributor/salesperson told him, “Film is film,” implying that all DTF films are essentially the same. Anyone experienced in DTF printing knows this couldn’t be further from the truth.

First, let's go over how DTF (Direct-to-Film) film is made. The exact process can vary slightly by manufacturer, but the core steps are generally the same:

How DTF Film Is Made: Step-by-Step

1. Base Film Production (PET Film)

The process starts with PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) — a durable, heat-resistant plastic used for most high-quality DTF films.

• PET resin pellets are melted and stretched into thin sheets.
• This base film is what gives DTF film its strength, heat stability, and smooth surface.

2. Surface Treatment

Before coating, the PET film undergoes corona or plasma treatment.
This step:

• Increases surface tension
• Helps coatings stick properly
• Ensures even ink absorption during printing

Without this step, ink would bead up or smear.

3. Applying the Release Layer

Next, a release coating is applied to the PET film.
This layer:

• Allows the printed design to release cleanly when pressed onto the garment
• Ensures the adhesive powder doesn’t stick too aggressively to the film
• Gives the film its matte or glossy look (matte is most common for DTF)

This layer is often a proprietary formula and is one of the biggest differences between cheap and premium DTF films.

4. Applying the Ink-Reception Layer (Coating Layer)

A second coating is added—this is the ink-receptive layer.
It’s responsible for:

• Holding CMYK and white ink without spreading
• Controlling dot placement for sharp details
• Preventing smudging or color bleeding
• Ensuring proper curing of white ink

This layer dramatically affects print brightness and durability.

5. Drying and Curing

After coatings are applied, the film passes through heated drying tunnels.
This:

• Evaporates solvents
• Hardens the coating layers
• Locks in the release properties and ink-receptive characteristics

Manufacturers must carefully control temperature and humidity to ensure consistency. T

6. Quality Control

Before the film is rolled up and packaged, it goes through multiple checks, including:

• Surface uniformity inspection
• Coating thickness measurement
• Release performance testing
• Ink absorption tests
• Curl resistance and static resistance checks

7. Winding, Cutting, and Packaging

Finally, the film is:

• Rolled into jumbo rolls
• Cut into common sizes (13" × 19", 24", 60", etc.)
• Packaged in moisture-controlled boxes

Why This Process Matters

Small differences in:

• Coating chemistry
• Thickness consistency
• Surface treatment
• Release layer quality

This is why “film is film” simply isn’t true—premium film requires more precise engineering and tighter quality control. Often, when the film doesn't make the quality control, they will bundle up all the film that doesn't make the cut, and sell as economy film.  Brokers, or shops buying by the container load, will pick up the film for cheap, most of the time unaware it is bad film, and now it enters the DTF market. We've all experienced inconsistent or poor-performing film....now you know why.

Now lets go over how good quality and poor quality film can affect the end result, your prints. DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing is highly dependent on the quality of the film you choose. High-quality DTF film can significantly enhance print clarity, color vibrancy, and durability, while low-quality film can compromise an otherwise flawless design. Here’s a clear breakdown of how good versus bad DTF film impacts your final results.

How GOOD DTF Film Affects Your Prints

1. Better Ink Absorption

High-quality film has a properly coated surface that holds ink evenly.

• Colors appear vibrant and solid
• Lines and small details remain sharp
• No puddling or bleeding of ink

2. Strong Adhesion of Powder

Good film allows hot-melt powder to stick evenly.

• Produces smooth, consistent transfers
• Reduces patchiness or weak spots in the print

3. Cleaner Release During Transfer

Quality DTF film releases the cured print cleanly when peeled.

• Peeling (hot, warm, or cold) is smooth and effortless
• Prevents tearing or stretching of the design

4. Better Durability After Washing

Good film + proper curing results in:

• Long-lasting prints
• No cracking or premature fading
• Full wash-and-wear resistance

5. Color Accuracy

Premium film maintains color fidelity. In addition, a good releasing film will allow you to press the transfer with less pressure, which means less dulling of the colors on your print.

• True-to-design, or more accurate color representation
• Improved gradients and halftones

How BAD DTF Film Affects Your Prints

1. Poor Ink Retention

Cheap film often has uneven or low-quality coating.

• Ink runs or spreads
• Blurry edges
• Loss of fine details

2. Uneven Powder Adhesion

Low-quality film makes powder stick inconsistently.

• Patchy or incomplete transfers
• Weak spots that peel over time

3. Difficult Release

• Bad DTF film doesn’t release the print properly after curing.
• Film sticks to the print, making the peeling process extremely difficult
• Parts of the design remain attached
• Wrinkling, stretching, or tearing occurs

4. Reduced Print Durability

Poor film contributes directly to:

• Early peeling or cracking
• Poor wash resistance
• Fading after only a few cycles

5. Static and Dust Problems

• Cheap film tends to attract dust due to improper anti-static coating.
• Dirt affects adhesion
• Visible specks appear in the print

How to Identify Good DTF Film

Look for:Anti-static coating - like the matte/matte finish on AT AT

• Even matte or semi-matte printable surface
• High transfer rate  - so Rapid or Instant Peel Film
• Strong heat tolerance (no wrinkling or warping during curing)

Summary Table

Feature	Good DTF Film	Bad DTF Film
Ink absorption	Even, vibrant, sharp	Blurry, bleeding
Powder adhesion	Smooth, consistent	Patchy, weak
Peeling	Easy, clean	Tearing, sticky
Durability	Long-lasting	Cracks, peels
Color quality	True, bright	Dull, inaccurate
Dust/static	Low	High