DTF PRESSING INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat press to 325-350 degrees
- Pre press your garment for 5 seconds to remove moisture
- Place DTF transfer in desired placement area. Cover transfer with a Teflon sheet .
- Press garment firmly for 15 seconds.
- Please wait 24 hours before washing
- For Longer Lasting results wash garment inside out.
- If ironing garment turn inside out
RISK FACTORS DTF TRANSFER STORAGE
- Temperature - DTF transfers do best at room temperature or slightly below. Balance is a must! Extreme temperatures disrupt the harmony of stored transfers. Particularly, heat can melt the adhesive. A single hot summer day sitting in a warehouse can cause transfers to stick together.
- Moisture - The primary arch-nemesis of DTF transfers is moisture in the air, so a climate-controlled environment is key. High humidity levels above 50% can adversely impact your transfers. Telltale signs of moisture damage include print bubbles or edges starting to peel up.
- Sunlight - Although direct sunlight should have little effect on the vibrancy of the printed transfer, the sun rays can activate the glue. Even if your overall room temperature is stable, sunbeams hitting the surface for prolonged times can cause concentrated heat.
- Dust - Airborne particles can collect and stick to your DTF transfers over time, reducing their adhesive power upon pressing. Maintaining a dust-free storage environment is crucial to preserving their quality.
DTF STORAGE BASICS
Properly storing your DTF transfers is straightforward if you understand the fundamental principles. Here are four essential guidelines for long-term storage. Implement these methods to guarantee that your transfers are prepared for use whenever required:
- Utilize airtight containers such as Ziplock bags, bins, or plastic folders.
- Ensure that the transfers are laid flat, avoiding any angled positioning, edge placement, or bending.
- Refrain from over-stacking; do not create tall piles or place any extra weight on top of the transfers.
- Lastly, interleave sheets of paper between the transfers in a stack to provide additional protection.
DTF STORAGE ESSENTIALS
To achieve successful long-term storage of your transfers, certain essential items are required. These products are budget-friendly, readily available online, and can be purchased in bulk.
Resealable Bags
Ziplock bags provide an effective sealed environment that protects against external contaminants. Their versatility, available in multiple sizes, makes them a cost-efficient solution for safely storing numerous transfers. It is crucial to remove as much air as possible before sealing, as trapped air can contribute to moisture accumulation.
Silica Packets
These small packets contain silica gel, a desiccant that effectively absorbs excess moisture. Including a packet in your storage bag or container serves as an additional safeguard against humidity. This is particularly important during shipping, ensuring that your transfers remain unaffected by changes in weather throughout their transit.
Parchment Paper
Inserting a sheet of parchment paper between each transfer, especially for storage periods exceeding one month, helps to keep each transfer distinct and prevents any adhesive interaction with adjacent items. This simple measure significantly contributes to preserving the quality and integrity of each transfer.
Plastic Airtight Containers
These containers come in various sizes and designs to accommodate different storage requirements, from small quantities to larger reserves. By selecting a high-quality container, you guarantee that your transfers remain in excellent condition, regardless of the duration of storage. Durable containers not only store your transfers but also provide essential protection.
PRO TIPS FOR STORING DTF TRANSFERS
Initiating your journey entails more than merely understanding the fundamentals. Whether you are a small business owner executing on-demand transfers or an organization engaged in reprinting uniforms and branding various items, these professional insights will assist you in gaining a competitive advantage. The primary considerations are accessibility and minimal handling. The less your transfers are manipulated, the better their quality is preserved.
Gang sheets - If you have obtained rolls of gang sheets, they can be stored in their original form and cut as required, provided they are kept in an airtight bag. Numerous cylindrical bags of various sizes are available from leading online retailers, and twist ties can be utilized for sealing. Different methods for pre-cut transfers exist, tailored to your business's turnover rate, as detailed below.
Shelving and organizers - Implement shelving solutions from office supply retailers to maintain your DTF transfers in an organized and easily accessible manner. Seek shelving designed for letter-sized papers or larger formats. This approach is particularly effective for businesses with high turnover rates where DTF transfers are frequently utilized.
File folder system - A traditional flat file is ideal, though increasingly rare. A filing cabinet equipped with drawers and labeled file folders can effectively organize your transfers, although it may not accommodate larger transfers. Each customer or item type can have a designated folder, facilitating the easy retrieval of necessary transfers.
Storing large quantities - Avoid stacking excessive amounts on top of one another, as this can lead to the bottom transfers adhering together, resulting in damage. Even when employing the interleaving technique, it is advisable to store them in stacks of 50-100 or fewer to mitigate this risk.
Climate control - Implementing automatic temperature regulation and dehumidifiers ensures an optimal environment for your transfers. In the absence of central air conditioning, small dehumidifiers can be beneficial when positioned near the stored transfers (and emptied regularly), although larger professional models are preferable if available.
Troubleshooting - If your transfers fail to adhere properly after appropriate pressing, you may be encountering issues with the pressing process. It might be time to order fresh transfers from Print Pixie Transfers.