From Screen Printing to DTF: How Technology is Changing the Game

Discover the future of the printing industry with Artik's co-owner Saul as he explores our latest investment - the DTF Mimaki machine! Learn how Direct to Film (DTF) printing is revolutionizing the world of custom merchandise. Is screen printing dead? Find out how technology is transforming screen printing and why DTF is the next big thing. Watch now to see how Artik is leading the way in printing innovation!
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: the changing face of screen printing
00:12 - Tour of Artik's screen printing department
01:00 - Introduction to the new Mimaki DTF machine
02:00 - The DTF machine at work
02:24 - The difference between screen printing and DTF
04:49 - When to choose digital over screen printing?
05:35 - The DTF machine at work part 2
06:49 - The cost involved: screen printing vs DTF
08:10 - The final step of DTF: heat pressing the transfer
09:18 - The DTF print result
10:19 - Are DTF prints less durable than screen printing?
10:35: Video recap and final thoughts: Is screen printing dead?

[@LoudPackGear]

Every method definitely has its time and place. I always felt like DTF was looked down on as a small shop thing. Glad to see big shops are using them as well in this way. What temperature do you find works best for your application?

[@screenprintexchange]

The internet is not good about keeping business models and trade secrets. DTF has definitely impacted screen printed goods and demand for S P equipment. Here are the problems. Consumers are bypassing the traditional t-shirt shops and buying just the transfers directly and heat pressing at home. People use to complain about garage screen printing shop, now we have a transfer press in the house and many wholesale transfer sites selling directly to the consumer (your customers). No overhead costs to do this.

[@ArtikToronto]

Do you agree with the video conclusion on screen printing and digital printing?

[@screenprintexchange]

Wait until DTF goes high speed with Roll to Roll using single pass printheads or single pass inkjets with a sheet feeder (like offset). It will be a game changer. Heat transfer presses will be more automated and staff will be easier to train. Require less employees, less capital equipment purchases, smaller warehousing , less utilities and a simply production model. 😂 It makes me sad.