Analysis of Core Technical Differences and Application Scenarios
Comparison of Technical Principles
| Parameters | DTF White Ink Heat Transfer Printer | UV DTF Crystal Label Printer |
|---|---|---|
| Core Process | Hot melt adhesive powder transfer technology (requiring powder sprinkling and hot pressing) | UV light curing stacking technology (glue + multiple layers of ink + varnish) |
| Medium Type | Special heat transfer PET film (the film is torn off after transfer) | Release film + transfer film (with a glue layer) |
| Curing Method | Hot air drying and curing (160-180°C) | Instant curing by UV-LED lights |
| Tactile Effect | Soft and fitting (similar to screen printing) | Three-dimensional embossed feeling (thickness 0.3-1.2mm) |
| Typical Applications | Clothing, shoes and hats, canvas bags | Glass bottles, metal nameplates, electronic product casings |
II. Differences in Equipment Configuration
A. Print Head Selection
DTF white ink heat transfer machines mostly use Epson micro piezoelectric print heads (such as modified models of L1800/R1390), which balance precision and cost and are suitable for the characteristics of hot melt inks.
UV crystal label machines need to be equipped with industrial-grade Ricoh print heads, which support the spraying of high-viscosity UV inks and are equipped with a white ink circulation system to prevent sedimentation.
B. Ancillary Equipment
For DTF, essential equipment includes an automatic powder shaking machine (with smoke purification) and a hot press machine (flat plate/roller type).
For UV DTF, essential equipment includes a precision release film winding system and a multi-layer stacking calibration sensor.
C. Production Environment
DTF requires controlling the humidity (40-60% RH) to prevent the powder from caking.
UV DTF requires an exhaust system to deal with the ozone generated during curing.
III. Case Studies of Typical Application Scenarios
A. DTF White Ink Heat Transfer Machine
- Customization for Cross-border E-commerce: Printing patterns on small batches of sweaters (a model with a width of 30cm, with a daily output of 200-300 pieces) [710].
- Sports Apparel: Heat transfer on elastic fabrics (tensile resistance > 300%) .
B. UV DTF Crystal Label Machine
- Wine Packaging: Embossed labels on transparent bottles (the thickness of the varnish layer is 0.5mm, resistant to alcohol wiping) .
- Electronic Products: LOGO stickers on metal casings (passing the 48-hour salt spray test) .
IV. Purchase Recommendations
- For Start-ups/Small Batches: Choose a modified DTF device (such as Epson L1800 + powder shaking machine, with a cost of less than 30,000 yuan) [510].
- For Industrial-grade Production:
- For DTF, select a five-head high-speed model (such as the five-head machine, with a 6pass speed of 30㎡/h) [8].
- For UV DTF, select a model with an automatic film calibration function.
Conclusion
Although both belong to the field of transfer printing, DTF focuses on the rapid customization of flexible textiles, while UV DTF specializes in high-precision labeling of hard materials. It is recommended to select a suitable solution according to the target market (such as clothing vs. industrial packaging) and the investment budget (in the range of 30,000-150,000 yuan).
