UV DTF
Direct printing on rigid objects: glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, acrylic, sealed wood.
A sharp, full-colour result, durable and wear-resistant — ideal for everyday or promotional use.
What is UV DTF?
UV DTF is a very high quality sticker, printed with UV ink and cured instantly by an ultraviolet lamp at the moment of printing. The ink doesn't dry: it solidifies, which is what gives it its resistance.
The transfer is made of two films: film A carries the printed design and its adhesive, film B protects it. To apply, you remove film B, position the design on the object, press by hand, then peel away film A. All that remains is the design, with no outline or visible background.
No heat is required — which makes it possible to decorate items that are already assembled, or materials that wouldn't survive a press. It's the most recent of the techniques we use: it spread from 2022-2023 onward.
What can it be applied to?
Smooth, rigid surfaces
Glass, glazed ceramic, stainless steel, aluminum, acrylic, rigid plastics, sealed wood, painted surfaces. The surface must be smooth, clean and non-porous.
Everyday objects
Bottles and mugs, glassware, phone cases, laptops, helmets, cases, containers, packaging, candle holders, indoor signage.
Any colour of object
Unlike sublimation, a white base is printed beneath the design. So the colours stand out just as well on a black object as on a clear one.
Why choose UV DTF?
Resistant to everything
Waterproof, scratch-resistant and UV-resistant. The cured ink does not fade or peel away in everyday use.
A slight relief
The UV ink forms a thin layer you can feel with a fingertip, giving a premium finish very different from an ordinary sticker.
No visible outline
Only the design transfers: no transparent background or cut border as on a conventional sticker. The result looks printed straight onto the object.
Good to know
Does it work on fabric?
Does it work on fabric?
No. UV DTF is designed for rigid surfaces. On a garment it wouldn't follow the stretch of the fabric and wouldn't survive washing.
For textiles, conventional DTF is what you need.
How is it applied?
How is it applied?
- Clean and dry the surface
- Remove the protective film
- Position the design on the object
- Rub firmly from the centre outward
- Slowly peel away the carrier film
No tools or heat press are needed. Your customers can apply it themselves if you order the transfers on their own.
Is it dishwasher safe?
Is it dishwasher safe?
Hand washing is recommended to preserve the design over the long term, especially on mugs and bottles.
The ink is waterproof, but the heat and harsh detergents of a repeated dishwasher cycle will eventually attack any adhesive.
What's the difference with sublimation?
What's the difference with sublimation?
Sublimation requires a light-coloured item with a special coating, and the ink penetrates the material: no relief, but no personalization possible on dark items.
UV DTF applies to almost any smooth surface, in any colour, with no particular coating and no heat — with a slight relief to the touch.
What files should I supply?
What files should I supply?
A vector file (AI, EPS, PDF) or a high-resolution image — 300 dpi minimum, at actual application size.
A PNG with a transparent background is ideal, since only the design transfers. We can vectorize an existing logo if needed.
What equipment do you print on?
What equipment do you print on?
We produce our transfers on a Toyoda Falcon UV DTF, which prints up to 24" wide and applies the protective varnish in the same pass.
Its UV lamps cure the ink instantly as it prints: that curing is what gives the design its resistance to water and scratches.