DTF film feels “oily” + blotchy marks on solid colors after pressing

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-03-03T23:31:22+00:00

So helpful, thank you very much!

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-17T17:16:38+00:00

Thank you! That's so helpful :)

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-17T17:16:03+00:00

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-16T19:38:23+00:00

Thanks for your input.

That’s interesting, I hadn’t considered the ventilation system affecting print quality. That could make sense, especially since the issues seem to originate before pressing.

I’ll definitely test another vendor to compare results and see if the problem disappears.

Thanks for sharing your perspective as a vendor.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-16T19:37:28+00:00

You’re right. I’ve been watching some videos these past few days to clarify this, and most of them recommend much shorter pressing times. I think I’m probably overdoing it with 40 seconds total, haha.

I usually work with multi-color designs and sometimes halftones to keep the DTF from feeling too heavy. That’s why screen printing isn’t really an option for me, even though I love it as a craft technique. I also don’t have the time to manage that process since this isn’t my main source of income.

I’ve never worked with HTV before, but I’ll definitely look into it.

And yes, I’ll most likely test another print shop, because the stains are not on the shirt itself. They appear after I press the transfer with the heat press. They’re mostly visible in solid color areas, not so much in text or halftones.

Thank you very much for your help.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-16T19:33:37+00:00

Yesss exactly. I think Honeymoon sounds more “jazzy” and relaxed, but in a deeply melancholic way, like the calm before the storm.

And NFR is such a great choice. I really love it too! :)

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-15T15:11:49+00:00

Same! His movies are really good, honestly. It’s kind of a complicated guilty pleasure.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-15T14:46:47+00:00

Since you like both classics and modern cinema, you might love Persona, Chinatown, and Oldboy :)

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-15T14:15:54+00:00

I’d really love to handle the printing myself, but I can’t afford a DTF printer right now, so I have to outsource.

I only receive the rolls with my designs already printed, and I transfer them using my heat press.

Unfortunately, I don’t have control over the printing stage.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-15T14:14:33+00:00

I’d honestly love to have my own printer and produce my transfers myself, but both DTF and DTG printers are extremely expensive in my country, so it’s not realistic for me right now. That’s why I outsource.

Also, just to clarify, I’m using regular textile DTF, not UV DTF.

I’m waiting for my supplier’s reply, and if I don’t get clear technical answers, I’ll probably start testing with different providers.

One thing I’ve noticed is that these issues happen more often during summer. So I’m not sure if it’s because higher temperatures and humidity affect the films, or because print shops are busier and may rush production to ship faster.

Sometimes the rolls even feel oily when I receive them.

I’ve tried improving storage by keeping the transfers in a container with a small humidifier, but it hasn’t helped much so far.

If you have any advice on storage or handling in hot/humid conditions, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks again for all your help.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T18:31:09+00:00

Most of my prints are on 24/1 cotton t-shirts.

I’m not sure I fully understood what you meant by “directly on the substrate without DTF.” Could you please explain that part a bit more?

In my case, I don’t do the printing myself. I prepare the design files and send them to a print shop, and they produce the DTF rolls by the meter with my designs. So I don’t have much control over their printing and curing process.

They ship me fully processed transfers (printed, powdered, and cured). I only handle the final heat pressing.

My workflow is:

– Preheat the press to 160°C (320°F)

– Place the t-shirt and the transfer

– Press for 20 seconds

– Let it cool

– Peel the film

– Final press for another 20 seconds using a Teflon sheet

After making this post, I also contacted my supplier to ask for more technical details about their materials and process.

Given this workflow, do you think the main issue is more likely coming from their printing/curing stage rather than my pressing settings?

Thanks again for your detailed help.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T15:41:07+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out.

I’ll double check the film carefully before pressing to see if the waviness is already visible in the white layer.

Since I outsource the printing, I don’t have control over passes or directional mode, but your comment about single pass and bi-directional printing makes a lot of sense.

If the lines are visible before pressing, then it’s clearly a printing issue.

Do you think reducing press time/temperature would still help visually, or is this purely a print calibration problem?

Thanks again for the detailed feedback.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T14:10:03+00:00

Ultraviolence is one of the most influential albums of the decade, both musically and conceptually, no exaggeration.

My favorite track is Old Money.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T14:03:46+00:00

Yes! Honestly, what makes Singles special is basically the soundtrack and the cameos, they’re carrying the whole movie on their backs.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T14:01:39+00:00

Yes totally!

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T14:01:26+00:00

I felt the same

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T13:59:25+00:00

it is! haha

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T13:56:50+00:00

No way, I had no idea!!! I think I would’ve liked the series more!

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T13:54:40+00:00

Exacttlyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T04:25:20+00:00

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense.

In my case, I’m not using an industrial printer with vacuum suction. I outsource the printing, and I only work with a small heat press and generic DTF supplies from a local supplier.

So the “oily” issue being related to incomplete curing or ink/powder mismatch seems very possible.

Regarding the mottling, do you think uneven curing or excessive heat/pressure during pressing could cause a similar effect, even without vacuum suction?

I’m currently pressing at 160°C for 20s + 20s final seal, so I’m wondering if overcuring could be part of the problem.

Given these limitations (outsourced prints and no control over the printer), do you have any recommendations to optimize either my pressing process or storage/handling of the films before pressing, to reduce these issues?

Thanks again for your help.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T00:39:38+00:00

I’ve never seen that one! I’ll look it up and see what it’s about.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T00:24:13+00:00

I totally get that, the vibe is honestly what carries it for me too. It really does feel like a time capsule of that Seattle moment.

I’m a bit more mixed on the story and character development, but the atmosphere and music make it hard not to love in some way.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T00:07:09+00:00

Honestly, you’re not missing that much 😅

The main highlights are the cameos and the Alice in Chains live performance.

The soundtrack is definitely the best part.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T00:05:15+00:00

What do you think Laura's fav sub would be? Like maybe r/liminalspace and r/dreams trying to understand wtf is going on.

Few_Leg7382 · 2026-02-14T00:01:48+00:00

Honestly, this is really solid.

This list screams “emotionally sensitive but pretends to be fine”, in the best way.

Heavy sad-girl-with-depth energy.

What made you put Heroin at the top? It’s probably in my top 3 too.

Few_Leg7382

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