Imperial's DTF Film Guide

When shopping for DTF film, you'll find countless products that all claim to be the "best." The reality is that not all DTF transfer film is created equal. The coatings, thickness, anti-static properties, release characteristics, and manufacturing quality all play a major role in the performance of your DTF printer and the quality of your finished transfers.

Unfortunately, much of the information available online comes from distributors who don't actually operate production DTF equipment. In many cases, marketing claims, assumptions, or translation errors from overseas manufacturers can make it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

At Imperial DTF, we don't just sell DTF supplies—we use them. Every film we offer is tested on production equipment before we recommend it to our customers. Our goal is to provide honest, experience-based information that helps your shop produce better transfers with fewer headaches.

Not All DTF Film Is Created Equal

Although most PET films appear similar, every premium DTF film has unique characteristics that affect production, including:

• Ink adhesion
• Powder adhesion
• Static resistance
• Film feeding
• Hot peel performance
• Finished print appearance

• Production consistency

Choosing the right film for your production environment can improve print quality while reducing downtime and wasted material.

At Imperial DTF, we offer three premium film options, each designed for different production environments and business needs.

AT AT Elite Double Matte DTF Film

The Best Anti-Static DTF Film

Static electricity is one of the biggest frustrations for DTF shops, especially during winter when humidity levels drop.

Even with properly grounded printers and shaker dryers, static can still cause:

• Film feeding problems
• Ink deflection
• Powder contamination
• Print inconsistencies
• Production interruptions

The AT AT Elite Rapid Peel Film was designed specifically to combat these issues.

Unlike standard matte films, the AT AT Elite features two additional anti-static coating layers on the back of the film. These coatings help dissipate static before it can interfere with production.

This film is an excellent choice for:

• Cold climates
• Low-humidity shops
• High-production facilities
• Operators experiencing static-related issues

During our testing, we used the exact same printer and dryer settings as our standard production workflow. No adjustments were necessary.

Because the film is slightly thinner than many traditional PET films, some operators may find they can lower dryer temperatures slightly while still achieving a perfect cure.

Juggernaut Gloss-Matte DTF Film

The Best DTF Film for Selling Transfers

If your business sells ready-to-press transfers, presentation matters.

The Juggernaut Gloss-Matte Film combines exceptional print performance with a glossy back side that makes finished transfers look brighter and more vibrant when customers receive them.

Artwork appears richer than when viewed through traditional matte films, creating a more professional presentation for online orders and gang sheets.

Performance is virtually identical to the AT AT Elite film.

Benefits include:

• Rapid hot peel
• Excellent powder adhesion
• Smooth printer feeding
• Consistent release
• Professional appearance

Our production equipment is properly grounded, allowing this film to run flawlessly, making it the preferred film on many of our in-house test printers.

If your business sells DTF transfers, Juggernaut delivers an excellent first impression before your customer even presses the transfer.

Imperial DTF Instant Peel Film

The Fastest Workflow for High-Volume Production (it's our favorite film to use)

For decorators looking to maximize efficiency, Imperial DTF Instant Peel Film offers the fastest production workflow of the three film options.

Designed for true production environments, Instant Peel allows operators to remove the carrier film almost immediately after pressing, reducing wait times between garments and increasing overall productivity.

Benefits include:

• True instant peel performance
• Excellent hot peel characteristics
• Smooth, consistent release
• Outstanding color reproduction
• Strong adhesion to a wide variety of fabrics
• Increased production efficiency

Instant Peel is an excellent choice for:

• High-volume production shops
• Contract decorators
• Print-on-demand businesses
• Large gang sheet production
• Shops focused on maximizing throughput

For decorators producing hundreds of transfers each day, eliminating cooling time can significantly improve workflow and reduce production bottlenecks.

Which Imperial DTF Film Is Right for You?

Each film has been developed for a different production environment.

Choose AT AT Elite if:

• You experience static electricity
• Your shop has low humidity
• You want maximum anti-static protection
• Production consistency is your priority

Choose Juggernaut Gloss-Matte if:

• You sell DTF transfers
• Customer presentation matters
• You prefer the appearance of a glossy-backed film
• Your production environment is already well controlled

Choose Imperial DTF Instant Peel if:

• Speed is your priority
• You produce high transfer volumes
• You want to reduce production time
• You need immediate peel performance to maximize efficiency

Recommended Heat Press Settings

Every heat press and garment is different. These settings provide an excellent starting point.

Temperature: 265°–285°F

Press Time: 6–15 seconds

Pressure: Medium to Firm (20–30 PSI)

Always perform a test press when working with new garments or specialty fabrics.

Recommended Printer & Dryer Settings

All three Imperial DTF films perform exceptionally well using multiple print resolutions.

Recommended Print Resolutions

• 360 × 2400
• 720 × 1800
• 720 × 2400

Printer Bed Heat

Printer bed heat is optional.

All three films print consistently whether bed heat is enabled or disabled.

Dryer Settings

Our production environment operates at:

• Dryer Temperature: Approximately 210°F
• Production Speed: Approximately 100 linear feet per hour
• Dwell Time: Approximately 1.67 feet per minute

Keep in mind that dryer temperature is directly related to dwell time.

If your printer operates at slower speeds, the film remains inside the dryer longer, allowing you to reduce temperature while still achieving a proper cure.

Likewise, higher production speeds may require additional heat to maintain complete powder curing.

Finding the proper balance between speed, temperature, and dwell time is one of the most important factors in producing consistent, professional DTF transfers.

Why Imperial DTF Tests Every Film We Sell

At Imperial DTF, we believe recommendations should come from experience—not marketing brochures.

Every DTF film we offer has been tested on production equipment under real-world conditions. We evaluate print quality, powder adhesion, release performance, static resistance, durability, and production efficiency before adding any product to our catalog.

Whether your priority is anti-static performance, professional presentation, or maximum production speed, Imperial DTF has a premium film designed to help your shop produce consistently outstanding transfers.