Color shifts, vibrancy issues, and opacity problems can stem from a variety of factors. While we’ll cover some of the key causes in this article, there’s no easy fix. Achieving great color results in digital printing requires a solid understanding of color theory. We’re not saying you need to become a color profiling expert, but you should be aware of the limitations when working with CMYK.
DTF printing is one of the simpler processes for garment printing, but it’s not without its color challenges. Many of us in the printing and graphic design industries are familiar with working in RGB, but when we move from RGB to CMYK for digital printing, things can get tricky. It would be nice if there were software that could perfectly match PMS colors for DTF, but unfortunately, that doesn't exist—and it probably never will. Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black simply can’t reproduce all the colors in the Pantone color book. However, we can get pretty close on most of them, and we'll go over some tips for better color accuracy.
To improve color consistency in your prints, it’s crucial to use a good color profile tailored for DTF printer. This profile ensures that colors are reproduced accurately across different devices and materials. Once you’ve set up your printer with the correct profile, don’t change it—work with it. Here’s what we mean:
If the color of a logo you just printed doesn't match what you saw on your computer screen or the PMS color you assigned, try to do color replacement in your artwork. To do that follow these steps:
- Load RGB color charts onto your printer's computer.
- Print the color charts and lay them out on white paper or a white table, ensuring you're in a room with good lighting.
- Review the printed colors and select the Reds, Blues, Grays, etc., that closely align with your printing requirements or your client's needs.
- Take note of these colors, combine them together in one, or a few color charts, then load the list back into your software. Now you have a personal reference chart. We recommend printing them out, pressing on white fabric and having them available in your art room.
Now you have this work done, let's give you an example of the process. Say your customer has a logo and they want to hit or match a specific red. Grab your Pantone book, physically compare the PMS color you are looking to match to your printed color charts. Once you find the match, you can grab the RGB values from the chart and apply them to your artwork.
Once you've substituted the new colors in your design, print again, and you should be much closer to your desired result.
Keep in mind, if you start tweaking the color profile curves to adjust one color, you'll likely run into trouble with the other colors in future prints. It can quickly turn into a never-ending cycle of adjustments. Stick to working with your good solid color profile, and avoid altering it just to match one color.
Here are some other tips to help you get the best color results in your DTF printing:
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Choose High-Quality Films
The transfer film you use plays a significant role in color vibrancy. Once you have found the right film for you, like Juggernaut Hot Peel make sure that you are also storing it in a climate-controlled room to avoid its chemistry being compromised by extreme temperature changes. -
Only use High-Quality Inks and stick with them
ImperialDTF only sells high-quality DTF inks, and beware of bargin-priced DTF inks, they will give you bargin quality prints, or even possibly degrade your printhead faster than normal. Low quality inks typically contain impurities or separate quickly leading to potential obstruction in your printhead nozzle. -
Optimize Printer Settings
- Color profiles: Make sure you're using the correct ICC profile for your printer, inks, and films. A custom profile can help ensure accurate, vibrant color output.
- Print quality: Sometimes your print quality maybe set at the lowest setting and you for more detail you may want to look at using a higher print quality setting.
- Ink density: Adjust the ink density settings to apply enough ink for strong, vivid colors, without over-saturating and causing bleeding.
- Proper Use of White Ink: Ensure that the white ink is applied with the correct density and opacity. This base layer is crucial for making colors stand out, especially on dark or colored fabrics. A uniform layer of white ink is essential; too little will make colors appear dull.
- Are you curing the prints at the right temp and time? Proper curing is key to vibrant and long-lasting DTF prints. Inadequate curing—whether through a heat press or curing oven—can lead to faded or dull colors. Make sure to follow the correct time and temperature settings to fully cure the print and maintain vibrant colors. TEST TEST TEST! There are many different settings based upon your DTF recipe, environment, how much ink you lay down, etc. so make sure you have your variables dialed in before tackling that big job!
- Use Correct Heat Press Settings: The right temperature, pressure, and pressing time are essential for achieving optimal color vibrancy. Insufficient heat or pressure can lead to poor adhesion or dull colors. Experiment with different settings to find what works best for your fabric and materials.
There are so many other items we could talk about when it comes to color on a DTF printing, or any digital printer for that matter. But what we listed is a good start. If there is something you have questions on, just let us know, (contact) and we'll see if we can help.
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