How to apply UV DTF transfers

The application steps

1. Clean and dry the surface. It must be free of dust, grease and residue. Isopropyl alcohol works well on glass, metal and most hard plastics. Let it dry fully.
2. Prepare the transfer. Rub the backing firmly before you separate anything, so the artwork is fully bonded to the top carrier film.
3. Remove the backing. Peel it away slowly and check the artwork has lifted with the carrier rather than staying on the backing. If any part stays behind, lay it down and burnish that area again.
4. Position the transfer. Line it up before it touches the surface. Treat placement as final: once the adhesive makes contact and is burnished, lifting it is likely to damage it.
5. Apply gradually. Start from one edge or the centre and work outwards, pressing as you go, so air is pushed out rather than trapped.
6. Burnish thoroughly. Go over the whole design firmly and evenly, paying attention to edges and fine detail.
7. Remove the carrier film slowly. Peel back on itself at a shallow angle rather than pulling upward. If any part of the design lifts, lay it back down, burnish again, and continue.
8. Re-burnish. Go over the applied artwork once more, especially the edges.

Getting a clean result

• Work at normal room temperature. A very cold surface makes adhesives sluggish.
• Curved items such as tumblers and bottles need the transfer applied progressively around the curve, not pressed on flat.
• Take your time on the carrier peel. Most failures happen there.
• Test on the same item you intend to sell before running a batch.

What we have not yet confirmed

DECOVINK has not finished validating the following against our own UV DTF production, so we are not publishing figures for them:

• Curing or settling time before an item is handled, washed or shipped.
• Water resistance, dishwasher performance and outdoor durability.
• Minimum printable line width and smallest reliable detail.

We would rather leave these blank than publish a number we have not tested. They will be confirmed before UV DTF launches.

Surfaces to avoid

UV DTF is not intended for fabric, highly flexible or stretchy materials, heavily textured surfaces, oily surfaces, silicone, food-contact areas, safety-critical equipment or high-temperature surfaces. For garments and textiles, use our DTF transfers.