How to Hand Powder and Cure DTF Transfers in an Oven

This guide explains how to hand powder a printed transfer and cure it in the oven correctly, so it is ready for pressing with a smooth orange-peel finish.

Before you start: Turn on your oven and allow it to preheat fully before preparing the transfer.

Step-by-step

Print your chosen file, then feed the printed design forward using the down arrow on the control panel.

Print your chosen design and feed it forward
If you have not already done so, place a clean sheet of silicone paper into your powder tray.

Prepare your powder tray with silicone paper
Cut the printed transfer from the machine and place it in the powder tray with the ink side facing up.

Note: If the ink looks too wet, let it rest for a few minutes before applying the powder, if powder is applied when the ink is too wet the transfer could crack after washing.

Place your transfer onto the powder tray
In one smooth motion, pour a line of adhesive powder down the middle of the transfer, covering the full height of the design. Any excess powder can be reused, so do not worry about overpouring.

Pour a line of adhesive powder onto the transfer
Pick up the transfer by the edges and roll the film in smooth, complete motions to spread the powder evenly across the print. Repeat this five times for each half of the transfer.

Roll the powder back and fourth over the ink
Make sure you roll the powder slightly past the edge of the printed area so the transfer is fully coated in adhesive. This helps improve both pressing and wash performance.
Once the transfer is fully coated, hold it by the top edge over the powder tray with the ink side facing away from you. Flick the back of the transfer to remove any excess powder.

Remove any excess powder from the transfer
Open the oven and place the transfer inside with the ink side facing up. Close the oven and set the timer by pressing the silver button next to the digital display.

Place the coated transfer onto a curing oven
When the oven starts to beep, press the same silver button to stop the timer and remove the transfer from the oven.

Cure the transfer and stop the timer when completed
Check the finish of the cured powder. It should be melted and have an orange-peel appearance.

Remove and check the finished transfer
If the transfer looks or feels sandy, it is under-cured. Place it back in the oven for half of the original curing time.
Once you can see the orange-peel effect, the transfer is fully cured and ready to press.

Your DTF transfer is now ready to press