Ink Guide

Ink is printed onto a transfer film rather than directly onto the fabric; heat then transfers it to the textile surface. This working principle makes DTF usable across cotton, polyester and blended fabrics without pretreatment. The key question when choosing it is whether your workflow suits direct printing or a transfer-based step.

A solvent-based ink system that runs on wide-format printers. It's the usual choice for signage, advertising boards and outdoor applications. The deciding factor is whether the print will be used outdoors and whether a wide-format surface is needed.

A dye-based ink system that turns to gas under heat; it's printed onto transfer paper first, then applied to polyester fabric with a calender press. It's used on fabrics with a high polyester content. Choosing it depends on the fabric's polyester content and whether a transfer-paper-based process fits the workflow.

A subclass of standard sublimation ink, formulated to penetrate fabric fibers more deeply. It's used in textile applications that call for denser color saturation. The distinction from standard sublimation is fiber penetration depth — choosing it depends on whether that difference is actually needed.

A disperse ink system printed directly onto polyester fabric, without a transfer paper step. Unlike sublimation, it skips the intermediate transfer stage. The deciding factor is whether your production flow should include a transfer-paper step at all.

An ink class that fixes to the fabric surface by forming a binder film. It's used mainly on cotton and other natural or blended fibers. Choosing it depends on whether the fabric's fiber structure suits surface fixation rather than a chemical bond.

An ink class that fixes by forming a chemical bond with cellulosic fibers such as cotton, linen and viscose. It's used on natural cellulosic fabrics. The deciding factor is the fabric's cellulosic fiber content and its suitability for a chemical fixation process.

An ink class that chemically interacts with protein-based and polyamide fibers such as wool, silk and nylon. It's used on fabrics with these fiber structures. The main criterion when choosing it is whether the fabric is protein-based or polyamide-based.

An ink system that cures and fixes under UV light. It can be used on various rigid surfaces such as cardboard, PVC, wood and metal, though the suitable surface type varies by product. The deciding factor is whether the print goes on a rigid or semi-rigid non-textile surface.

An ink class with a water-based carrier. It's used in textile and paper printing. The deciding factor is whether a water-based process is preferred over solvent- or UV-based systems.