Choosing the right DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfer film is crucial for achieving high-quality prints. Both hot peel and cold peel options are available, each offering unique benefits and challenges.

Understanding these differences can help you decide which film is best suited for your needs. In this article, we’ll explore the specifics of each film type, compare their constructions, highlight their differences, and provide usage suggestions.

We’ll also address common issues and offer a guide on choosing the right film for your business.

Hot peel DTF film is peeled immediately after heat pressing, making it efficient for high-volume production. Cold peel DTF film, however, requires cooling before peeling, ensuring better durability and detail retention. The best choice depends on your specific needs, design complexity, and production capabilities.

Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of each film type and understand how they can impact your printing process.

What is Hot Peel DTF Film?

Hot peel DTF film is designed to be peeled off right after heat pressing. This immediate peeling process is a significant advantage for businesses that need to produce large volumes quickly.

The efficiency of hot peel film lies in its ability to streamline the production process, reducing wait times and increasing overall productivity.

Advantages of Hot Peel DTF Film

• Speed: Hot peel films save time, making them ideal for large orders and tight deadlines.
• Convenience: The immediate peeling process is straightforward and easy to manage.
• Efficiency: Suitable for high-volume production, hot peel films help maintain a steady workflow.

Indeeded,people call hot peel DTF film as one second-peel off DTF film. At YXCHTV company, our hot peel DTF film also can warm peel off.

our technicians mentioned that the initial hot peel films on the market used a wax-based release layer. Due to the physical properties of wax, this led to uneven coatings and numerous issues with the films.

Now, our company’s designed production process has overcome these problems, resulting in very fine coatings and avoiding batch instability.

Compared to the hot peel film in the market, our films have more excellent quality as below table :

Highlight Features	Explanation
✓Uniform Ink Absorption	The film offers very uniform ink absorption, avoiding instability between batches. This prevents the common issue of color variation (such as color differences on the left and right sides of the same color series, or color bleeding and streaking), which is related to the fineness of the surface coating.
✓Strong Adhesion	The adhesion is excellent, preventing letters from easily peeling off.
✓Anti-static and Accurate Positioning	The back of the double-sided film has a coating that is anti-static, preventing powder from sticking in blank areas. It also ensures very accurate positioning without slipping.
✓High-quality PET Base Material	The PET base material is sourced from a renowned domestic manufacturer. It does not yellow or deform at 190°C in your oven.
✓Superior Coating Formula	The coating formula has been carefully selected and optimized, distinguishing it from other hot peel films on the market. It has an ink absorption capacity of up to 200%, and the printed film does not exhibit oil backflow even after prolonged storage.
✓High Color Saturation	The color saturation is excellent.
✓ Instant and Cold Peel	The film achieves true instant peel, allowing immediate peeling after pressing without needing to wait for a few seconds. Additionally, it can also be cold peeled after fully cooling, maintaining a matte finish. (Unlike other hot peel films on the market that cannot be cold peeled.)

What is Cold Peel DTF Film?

Cold peel DTF film requires a cooling period before it can be peeled off. This cooling step allows the adhesive to set more thoroughly, which can enhance the durability of the transfer.

Cold peel films are particularly useful for detailed designs that need to retain their integrity through multiple washes.

Advantages of Cold Peel DTF Film

• Durability: The cooling process ensures better adhesion and longer-lasting prints.
• Detail Retention: Cold peel films can capture finer details, making them suitable for intricate designs.
• Quality: The additional time taken in the process often results in higher quality prints.

As you know, cold peel dtf film also can peel off can cold, warm and hot siutation. Its operational adaptability is enhanced.

Compared to other supplier’s cold pee film,YXCHTV’S film with more below features,specially with the stable quality.

• 100% White Ink Absorption Rate: Maximizes ink usage for vivid, waste-free prints.
• Bright Color: Enhances color vibrancy, making designs stand out.
• High Elasticity and Soft Touch: Adapts to various fabrics, improving comfort for wearable items.
• Uniform Ink-Absorbing Layer: Prevents oil return, maintaining consistent print quality.
• Fine Line Printing: Achieves sharp and precise print quality, ideal for intricate designs.
• Anti-Static Matte Back Side: Prevents static, ensuring cleaner and more accurate prints in dry conditions.

Here we continute to explanin you their difference in the construction.(Remarked: both cold peel and ht peel film is double-sided)

Construction of Cold Peel and Hot Peel DTF Films

The construction of DTF films is essential in determining their performance. Both hot peel and cold peel films consist of a carrier sheet, an adhesive layer, and the printable layer. The key difference lies in the release layer.

Hot Peel Film Construction

Hot peel DTF Film typically use a wax-based release layer. This layer melts during the heat pressing process, allowing for immediate peeling without the risk of sticking. The wax layer ensures that the transfer can be done quickly and efficiently.

Cold Peel Film Construction

Cold peel DTF PET film use a silicone-based release layer. This layer requires cooling to solidify and release cleanly. The silicone layer provides a stronger bond between the transfer and the fabric, which enhances durability and detail retention.

Difference: cold peel vs hot peel dtf

We have tried our best to summarize their biggest differences. You should choose them based on your own conditions.

Feature	Hot Peel Film(Also call one second peel-film)	Cold Peel Film(Also call cold/warm/hot peel film)
structure	Main layer is wax	Main layer is silicone
Peeling Time	Immediate peeling after heat press	Must wait until the film has completely cooled
Suitable Fabrics	Suitable for high-temperature resistant fabrics	Suitable for various fabrics, including those not resistant to high temperatures
Production Speed	Faster production as peeling is immediate	Slower production as waiting for the film to cool is necessary
Finish Quality	Generally brighter colors and higher gloss after peeling	Vibrant colors, but glossiness may be slightly lower than hot peel
Ease of Operation	Easier to operate, suitable for fast-paced production environments	Requires more patience and skill to ensure perfect peeling
Cost	Generally lower cost	May be slightly higher due to the need for finer material handling
Print fine line pattern	Not suggest	NO Problem

Using Suggestions

Here are some recommendations for using each type of film:

Hot Peel Film

• Large Patterns: Ideal for large, simple designs where speed is essential.
• High-Volume Production: Best for businesses with large orders and tight deadlines.
• Immediate Use: Perfect when prints need to be handled or shipped quickly.

Cold Peel Film

• Detailed Designs: Suitable for intricate patterns requiring high detail retention.
• Durability Needs: Use when prints need to withstand multiple washes.
• Quality Focus: Ideal for high-quality prints where detail and durability are paramount.

Common Issues Clients Face

Clients often encounter several issues when using DTF film. Understanding these can help you mitigate them effectively.Mostly issues happened maybe because of the bad film quality

Bubble Dots:

The bubble points phenomenon in white ink heat transfer printing film refers to the appearance of small, bubble-like imperfections on the film’s surface.

These bubbles can occur during the printing or pressing process and are often caused by a series factors,but most impartant reason is the uneven coating of the film.

Color Inconsistency:

The color inconsistency phenomenon in white ink heat transfer printing film, often referred to as “yin-yang color,” describes the issue where different sections of the printed film exhibit varying shades or tones of color. This inconsistency can manifest as:

1. Left-Right Color Differences: The same color appears differently on the left and right sides of the printed film, creating an uneven appearance.
2. Uneven Color Saturation: Some areas of the film may show higher color saturation while others appear faded or lighter.
3. Patchy or Streaky Colors: The film may display patchy areas or streaks where the color intensity fluctuates, leading to a visually inconsistent print.

This phenomenon can be caused by several factors, but membrane factors account for 60%。Therefore, it is important to choose the right manufacturer.

Choosing Guide

When deciding between hot peel and cold peel DTF films, consider the following factors:

• Production Volume:For high-volume, fast-paced production environments, hot peel films are more efficient. They allow for quicker turnaround times and increased productivity.
• Design Complexity:For intricate and detailed designs, cold peel films are preferable. They capture finer details and provide higher quality prints.
• Durability Needs:If long-lasting prints are essential, cold peel films offer better durability. They are more resistant to washing and wear over time.
• Time Constraints : When time is limited, hot peel films can speed up the process. They are ideal for meeting tight deadlines and large orders.
• With strong after-sales team:To choose a best supplier ,who can support you in-time solutions is very important. No mater in dtf printer or dtf consuables,they have rich experience。

FAQ

1. What temperatures are required for hot and cold peel films?

Hot peel films typically require higher temperatures around 165ºC, while cold peel films operate at lower temperatures around 140ºC.

2. Can I use hot peel film for detailed designs?

Yes, but cold peel films are better for capturing fine details.

3. Which dtf film offers better wash resistance?

Cold peel films generally offer better wash resistance due to the additional cooling and adhesive setting process.

4. Are there specific fabrics better suited for each type of film?

Hot peel films are suitable for most fabrics, while cold peel films are better for delicate fabrics that require higher detail retention.

5. Can I switch between hot peel and cold peel films in the same production run?

It is possible, but adjustments in temperature and peeling time will be necessary.

If this post helped you, let us know. Are you facing similar issues? Need urgent help? Or perhaps you need sample testing? Contact us today to get started!

YXCHTV comany is aim to supply you the heat transfer solutions,not just to wholesales the dtf products.