Direct-To-Film (DTF): Image Processing

Direct-To-Film (DTF): Image Processing

Image Processing: Getting Started

Image Processing steps are used to include in a PMM images edits, DTG presets and DTF hybrid screening options.

These steps are typically performed in Pre-press using tools such as Illustrator or Photoshop. By incorporating these options into the PMM, the process can be automated, as the image processing steps are applied automatically whenever a file is processed with the selected PMM.

By default, an Auto white option is created as part of a DTF PMM and the Auto white behavior depends on what White percentage, White generation and choke has been applied during initial profile creation.





Before making any changes to a PMM, it's recommended to duplicate it first.

To add custom Image Processing, right click on the PMM mode in Calibrator, a menu will appear with the option to “Add New Image Step.” An Image Step can include an image edit, DTG preset, or a sample document with embedded changes.

Image Processing: Image Edit

Typical DTF Image edits are:
  1. Increase Saturation to make images “pop”.
  1. Increase in Contrast to prepare for t-shirt color knock out.

1. In Calibrator, duplicate the existing PMM so that new edits are not affecting the original PMM.
To duplicate select the PMM Mode and select the duplicate icon at the bottom of the window and provide a new print mode name.

If it is the first time opening Image Edits will show an empty list, this means you need to create one:

2. Using Editor, make sure to select the DTF printer and print mode and open an image.(File -> Open) 


3. Select the loaded image with the cursor, go to the Image Menu and select an Image edit function.
Idea
When replacing the printed black with shirt black it's beneficial to increase the contrast (Levels).


4. Once the desired image edits have been performed, the edits can be saved as an image script:


5. After saving the Image Edit Script the following confirmation will appear:

6. Now go back to Calibrator 

7. Expand the profile, right click on the mode and select "Add new image step"



8. Once loaded the Image Edits like Levels and Hue/Saturation will show with their respective behaviors:


Any file now processed by the above PMM will automatically apply the Image processing steps without any manual intervention. 



Image Processing: DTG or DTF Separations (DTG Separation in Editor)

1. Another Image Processing step could be the DTG/DTF specific steps like removing t-shirt color. More details about how to do this in the following article: DTG or DTF separations
A heavier knockout works effectively by making the black or white area transparent, allowing the shirt's color to show through instead of using ink.
Info
DTF Black t-shirt= 0% Chroma & 90% Tolerance. Chroma is not recommended for DTF.

2. After the separation preset is created, you can apply it to the PMM by right click the mode and selecting "Add new image step" and then selecting DTG preset:


Image Processing: DTF Halftone Screening

1.To create a halftone screen, open the Editor. Under the "Extra" pull-down menu, select "DTF Screening." This will open the Halftone setup dialog.


2. Leave the Channel selection set to "White“.
3. For Shape, select "Round," as it is the most commonly used option.
4. A typical setting is a 22-degree Angle.
5. The Frequency should be determined by evaluating the PMM White Test Chart and the LPI Test, with a common frequency being between 25-35 LPI.
6. Choke, this is a positive value in millimeters, a common White Choke for DTF printing is around 0.1 to 0.15 mm inward from the edge of the colored layer.

  1. 0.12 mm choke (0.004 inches): For fine details or smaller designs
  2. 0.15–0.2 mm choke (0.006–0.008 inches): For standard prints, providing a good balance between opacity and edge cleanliness
  3. 0.25 mm choke (0.01 inches): For larger, less detailed designs where there’s more tolerance for alignment shifts.

Notes
Testing for optimal results with your setup is ideal, since the right choke can vary based on factors like ink type, transfer film, and printer resolution.

7. The Input Range feature allows users to control the sensitivity of the alpha transparency (using a bump curve) and avoid halftone screening in highlight areas.

A 10% to 90% bump curve range focuses opacity adjustments on mid-level transparencies while leaving the lightest (near 0%) and darkest (near 100%) areas mostly unchanged.
This boosts mid-range transparency for more visibility without affecting the extremes, preserving delicate fades and solid areas for smooth gradients and balanced opacity.
Main purpose is to avoid halftone screening in skin tone areas (95%-99% range).

8. Once the desired screening is set and been applied, the Editor displays a preview of the applied screening.

When the Output panel is selected, and the mouse pointer hovers over the preview, the CMYK+W values are shown:



  1. Each channel can be individually previewed by toggling the eye icon to enable or disable the preview.
  2. If DTF screening changes have to be made, use the Edit > Undo option to revert back to the previous setting(s) and re-apply with new DTF Screening Settings.
  3. If a DTG shirt color knockout (DTG Preset) is applied, Editor also simulates the background.
  4. The background color can be adjusted under the View > Background menu

White background with black knock out applied:

Same image with black knockout but with Black simulated background:

Applying the Image Processing Steps as a Sample Document:

The final step is to save the Image Processing Steps like the DTF Screening and DTG Separation as aur file (Special PrintFactory file format).

1. File -> Save As, name the file with the Image Processing Steps(Image Edits and DTF Screening) applied for example:
2. Once saved the sample document can be applied to the PMM by selecting the PMM (Mode), expand the so that more details are visible, then right click the mode, select Add new Image Step.

3. As Type select, Sample Document, and browse to the location the aur file has been saved to:

4. Once applied the Image Processing step will be added to the PMM:


Here's an example of a DTG Preset (black knock out) combined with the DTF Screening:





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