PressCraft Knowledge Base
Every term you need to understand Direct-to-Film transfers, UV DTF stickers, and the industrial print workflow behind PressCraft. Bookmark this page or share a single definition with a teammate via the link icons next to each term.
A digital printing technology that prints designs onto a PET film coated with adhesive powder. The film is then heat-pressed onto fabric, transferring full-color, durable graphics. Works on cotton, polyester, blends, and dark or light garments without pretreatment.
See also: Wikipedia: Direct-to-film printing
A UV-cured variant of direct-to-film printing designed for hard surfaces such as glass, metal, ceramic, wood, and plastic. UV DTF transfers apply by peel-and-rub — no heat press required. Produces a raised 3D finish that is waterproof and dishwasher safe.
A single transfer sheet that contains multiple individual designs packed efficiently to maximize material usage. Gang sheets reduce per-design cost and waste. PressCraft sheets come in Small (22x28 in), Medium (22x44 in), Large (22x60 in), and XL (22x84 in).
A DTF film type that allows the carrier sheet to be removed immediately after pressing while still hot. Speeds up production but can result in a slightly softer finish than cold peel.
A DTF film type requiring the carrier sheet to fully cool before removal. Cold peel produces a smoother, more durable finish with crisper edges, but adds a few minutes per piece.
A measure of print resolution. For DTF and UV DTF transfers, 300 DPI at final print size is the industry standard. Files below 150 DPI will print pixelated; 150–299 DPI is acceptable for casual designs; 300+ DPI delivers professional quality.
A four-color printing model using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) inks. Most digital printers, including DTF, use CMYK. Designs in RGB will be auto-converted, but neon and ultra-bright colors may shift slightly during conversion.
See also: Wikipedia: CMYK color model
Raster Image Processor software that converts design files into instructions for the printer. RIPs control color profiles, white underbase, and ink density. Industry standards include CADlink, Acrorip, and Kothari.
A machine that applies controlled heat and pressure to fuse a transfer onto fabric. PressCraft DTF transfers are pressed at 300°F (149°C) for 12 seconds with medium-firm pressure.
A hot-melt polymer powder applied to wet DTF ink before curing. The powder bonds the print to fabric during heat pressing. Powder grades range from fine (soft hand) to coarse (heavy-duty).
Polyethylene terephthalate film, the carrier substrate for DTF transfers. PET film holds the printed design and adhesive powder until heat-pressed onto fabric.
The process of heating freshly powdered DTF prints to melt and bond the adhesive. Industrial DTF lines cure at 250–300°F for 2–3 minutes before transfers are ready to ship.
A heat-activated dye process that bonds ink directly into polyester fibers. Unlike DTF, sublimation does not work on cotton or dark fabrics. DTF is generally preferred for versatility.
See also: Wikipedia: Dye-sublimation printing
A solid-color vinyl cut into shapes and heat-pressed onto fabric. HTV is limited to one or two colors per layer; DTF allows full-color photographic prints in one pass.
See also: Wikipedia: Heat transfer vinyl
A traditional decoration method using mesh screens to push ink through stencils onto fabric. Excellent for very high quantities of simple designs. DTF beats screen printing on small runs and full-color art.
See also: Wikipedia: Screen printing
A layer of white ink printed beneath colored inks so designs appear vivid on dark fabrics. DTF printers automatically generate the white underbase from your design's transparency.
A PNG file format with an alpha channel preserving transparent backgrounds. The preferred format for DTF uploads because the printer treats transparent areas as “no ink”.
Extra design area extended past the trim line to prevent unprinted edges. For DTF transfers cut around the design, a 0.1 inch bleed is recommended.
Vector graphics (AI, SVG, EPS) scale infinitely without losing quality. Raster graphics (PNG, JPG) are pixel-based and degrade when scaled up. PressCraft accepts both, but vectors are ideal for logos and crisp text.
A durability test where a printed garment is washed multiple times to check for cracking, fading, or peeling. PressCraft DTF transfers withstand 50+ wash cycles when applied correctly.
The ability of a transfer to flex and recover with the fabric without cracking. DTF transfers stretch up to 30% before showing micro-cracks, making them ideal for activewear and knits.
Ink that hardens instantly under UV light, producing a durable, waterproof finish. UV DTF stickers use UV-cured ink, allowing application to non-porous hard surfaces.
An optional protective layer applied over UV DTF prints to enhance scratch resistance and gloss. PressCraft offers matte and glossy lamination on UV DTF stickers.
A small unprinted area on a UV DTF sticker that helps lift the design from its backing during application. Common on stickers larger than 4x4 inches.
A standardized color profile that ensures consistent color reproduction across devices. Designers can request PressCraft’s ICC profile to soft-proof colors before submitting files.
See also: Wikipedia: ICC profile
Software that automatically arranges multiple designs on a gang sheet to minimize wasted material. PressCraft’s builder auto-nests designs and lets users fine-tune placement before approval.
The time between order approval and shipment. PressCraft’s standard turnaround is 48 hours from approved proof to dispatch, with worldwide tracked delivery.
A digital preview of how a design will appear on the final transfer. PressCraft sends a proof within 4 hours of file upload for approval before printing begins.
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