What are DTF Transfers?

Direct-to-Film (DTF) vs. Other Textile Printing Methods

Are you exploring modern textile printing methods? Direct-to-Film (DTF) might be your answer. Discover why DTF is gaining traction and how it compares to other popular printing techniques.

What is Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing?

  • A cutting-edge method that prints digital designs on clear polyester films.
  • Uses water-based inks and a special adhesive coating.
  • Perfect for high-quality, detailed designs.
  • Not ideal for every fabric, e.g., silk and nylon.

Benefits of DTF Printing:

  1. High-Quality Prints: Offers sharp and vibrant images.
  2. Efficiency: Speeds up production and cuts down manual work.
  3. Versatility: Prints intricate designs with ease.
  4. Cost-Effective: Especially for multi-colored designs in small quantities.

DTF vs. Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing:

  • DTG prints directly on garments; DTF uses a film intermediary.
  • DTG can be more complicated with garment pretreatment.
  • DTF shines with detailed designs and faster turnarounds.

DTF vs. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV):

  • Forget the tedious cutting and weeding with HTV. DTF saves you time!
  • For multi-color designs, DTF is often the wallet-friendly choice.

DTF vs. Sublimation Transfers:

  • DTF’s versatility allows it to print on various fabrics, unlike sublimation.
  • Want crisp details on dark or light fabrics? DTF is your go-to.

Final Thoughts: While DTF is still budding, its unique benefits make it a favorite for many textile printers. Stay updated with the evolving printing technology, and consider DTF for your next project.

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Raster and Vector

Choosing the Right Image Format for Your Prints

When it comes to preparing a file for printing, it is important to use the correct image format. Whether you are creating a brochure, business card, poster or any other printed material, using the wrong format can lead to blurry images and pixelated prints. So how do you decide which format to use? Enter raster and vector images.

Understanding Raster Images
A raster image is made up of thousands of tiny pixels arranged in a grid pattern. This type of image is best used for photographs, complex graphics or artwork that contains gradients, textures and shading. The most common raster formats are JPG (short for Joint Photographic Experts Group) and PNG (Portable Network Graphics). Raster images have a fixed resolution—meaning they cannot be enlarged without losing quality—so it’s important to make sure your image is large enough to begin with. Otherwise, when you try to enlarge it later on, your image will become blurry or pixelated.

Understanding Vector Images
A vector image is composed of shapes and paths that are created using mathematical equations instead of pixels. This allows them to be scaled up infinitely without losing any resolution or quality. Vector images commonly use EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) formats which work well with logos or illustrations made up of lines and shapes. Unlike raster images, vector images often require specialized software such as Adobe Illustrator in order for them to be edited correctly.


Conclusion:
Using the right type of image format can help ensure that your prints look great every time. Whether you choose a raster or vector image depends on what type of content you’re printing out; if it’s something like a photograph or complex graphic then go with a raster format but if it’s something simple like a logo then opt for the vector format instead. No matter what you choose though, always make sure that your source file is saved at an appropriate size so that your prints don’t come out fuzzy or pixelated! With this knowledge under your belt there should be no stopping you from creating great looking prints anytime!


Key Component in a Desktop Publishing Workflow
Free software such as below.

Scribus
Scribus-logo
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Brochures Printing Options

Printed Side

You can print full color on the front or on both sides of your flat piece. For folded products you can print full color on the outside or the outside and inside of your piece.

Paper

You can select one of several premium paper types for your piece.

100 lb. Gloss Text

Our 100 lb. gloss text is a thicker paper weight stock with a glossy sheen on both sides. This paper is an ideal choice for a more durable, heavier piece than other text weight stocks and provides a gloss finish to make colors more vibrant.

  • Paper Type: C2S Gloss Text
  • Thickness: 4.9 pt.
  • Weight: 100 lb.
  • Brightness: 90
  • Color: White

70 lb. Matte Recycled Text

Our 70 lb. recycled matte text stock is an eco-friendly, lightweight matte text stock that contains post-consumer material. This thinner text stock will give your piece a crisp, clean matte look.

  • Paper Type: C2S Matte Text
  • Thickness: 4.2 pt.
  • Weight: 70 lb.
  • Brightness: 93
  • Color: White

100 lb. Gloss Cover

Our 100 lb. gloss cover stock is a thick, premium cover stock with a glossy sheen on both sides. This is thicker and heavier than a text weight stock and has a gloss finish to make colors more vibrant.

  • Paper Type: C2S Gloss Cover
  • Thickness: 9.3 pt.
  • Weight: 100 lb.
  • Brightness: 90
  • Color: White

80 lb. Matte Recycled Cover

Our 80 lb. recycled matte cover stock is an eco-friendly, thicker matte stock that contains post-consumer material. This cover stock will give your piece a crisp, clean matte look.

  • Paper Type: Matte Cover
  • Thickness: 8.8 pt.
  • Weight: 80 lb.
  • Brightness: 93
  • Color: White

13 pt. Matte Cover

Our 13 pt. matte cover stock is an ideal choice for products where a matte finish is desired. It presents a more subtle, sophisticated look.

  • Paper Type: C2S Matte Cover
  • Thickness: 13 pt.
  • Weight: 100 lb.
  • Brightness: 93
  • Color: White

13 pt. 100% Recycled Matte Cover

Our 13 pt. recycled matte cover stock is the ultimate eco-friendly choice. This paper is made from 100% post-consumer waste and has excellent printing characteristics combined with a sophisticated matte finish.

  • Paper Type: C2S Matte Cover
  • Thickness: 13.1 pt.
  • Weight: 120 lb.
  • Brightness: 95
  • Color: White

80 lb. 100% Recycled Uncoated Text

Our 80 lb. recycled uncoated text stock is the ultimate eco-friendly page choice. Made from 100% post-consumer waste it has excellent printing characteristics combined with a writeable, uncoated finish.

  • Paper Type: Uncoated Text
  • Thickness: 5.2 pt.
  • Weight: 80 lb.
  • Brightness: 96
  • Color: White

Brilliant White 80 lb. Linen Text

A bright white linen textured paper stock. Comprised of 30% post-consumer waste, it’s also an eco-friendly option — perfect for any full-color application and a clean, crisp and classic look.

  • Paper Type: Linen Text
  • Thickness: 6.6 pt.
  • Weight: 80 lb.
  • Brightness: 98
  • Color: Bright White

Natural White 80 lb. Linen Text

A classic, elegant creamy white linen paper stock that is smooth to the touch. Comprised of 30% post-consumer waste, it’s an eco-friendly option — ideal for sophisticated, high-end applications. Due to the base color of this paper we recommend solid colors or black-only printing in your design.

  • Paper Type: Linen Text
  • Thickness: 6.6 pt.
  • Weight: 80 lb.
  • Brightness: N/A
  • Color: Natural Cream White

Hole Drilling

You can print full color on the front or on both sides of your flat piece. For folded products you can print full color on the outside or the outside and inside of your piece.

Perforation

Add an optional perforation to your piece. You will need to work with customer service on file setup for this selection.

Folding

Your order will be scored and/or folded per your selection.

Flat (No Folding)

No folding or scoring will be applied to your piece.

Tri-Fold / Letter-Fold

A tri-fold, also known as a letter-fold, is constructed by folding a sheet twice like a mailed letter.

Half-Fold

A half-fold, also known as a book fold, is constructed by folding a sheet once, creating two equal halves.

Z-Fold

A z-fold, also known as a fan fold or zig-zag fold, is constructed by folding a sheet twice in the shape of the letter “Z”.

Double Parallel Fold

A double-parallel fold, also known as a parallel center, is constructed by folding a sheet in half, and then in half once again.

Right-Angle Half Fold

A right-angle half-fold, also known as a French fold, is constructed by folding a sheet in half horizontally, and then in half once again vertically.

Accordion Fold

An accordion-fold is constructed by folding a sheet three times in a zig-zag pattern, creating a piece that expands like an accordion.

Gate Fold

A gate-fold is constructed by folding a sheet inwards on each side, creating two side panels that open like doors or gates.

Double Gate Fold

A double-gate fold is constructed by folding a sheet inwards on each side, creating two side panels that open like doors, and then folding the sheet in half.

Hardcopy Proof

For an additional fee, you can order a printed proof that entitles you to receive up to three hardcopy proof revisions. A hardcopy proof offers a color accuracy guarantee for the final proof that is approved by you.

Common Card Stock Weights and How to Use Them

Common Card Stock Weights and How to Use Them

Choosing the right weight for your project can impact its durability, convey quality, and influence the first impression your intended audience has of your project.

Here are some of the most common card stock weights and their typical uses:

65lb

Common Uses:

  • Light-weight business cards
  • Greeting cards
  • Postcards
  • Book covers
  • Posters
  • Tickets
  • Crafts

80lb

Common Uses:

  • Standard-weight business cards
  • Posters
  • Greeting cards
  • Invitations
  • Table Tents
  • Folders
  • Tickets
  • Crafts

100lb

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Flat cards
  • Invitations
  • Posters
  • Folders
  • Tickets
  • Crafts
  • Gift tags
  • Greeting cards

110lb

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Awards
  • Certificates
  • Report covers
  • Menus
  • Price lists
  • Crafts
  • Gift tags
  • Invitations

10 pt

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Brochures
  • Trade show materials
  • Media kits
  • Menus
  • Calendars
  • Event programs
  • Lookbooks
  • Crafts
  • Certificates
  • Awards
  • Report covers

12 pt

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Postcards
  • Gift tags
  • Pocket folders
  • Report covers
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Media kits
  • Crafts
  • Presentation materials

20lb

Common Uses:

  • Standard Copies
  • Binder Inserts
  • Love Notes
  • Posters
  • Flyers
  • Schoo Projects
  • Crafts

25lb

Common Uses:

  • Standard Copies
  • Binder Inserts
  • Love Notes
  • Posters
  • Flyers
  • Schoo Projects
  • Crafts

100lb

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Flat cards
  • Invitations
  • Posters
  • Folders
  • Tickets
  • Crafts
  • Gift tags
  • Greeting cards

110lb

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Awards
  • Certificates
  • Report covers
  • Menus
  • Price lists
  • Crafts
  • Gift tags
  • Invitations

10 pt

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Brochures
  • Trade show materials
  • Media kits
  • Menus
  • Calendars
  • Event programs
  • Lookbooks
  • Crafts
  • Certificates
  • Awards
  • Report covers

12 pt

Common Uses:

  • Business cards
  • Postcards
  • Gift tags
  • Pocket folders
  • Report covers
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Media kits
  • Crafts
  • Presentation materials

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