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LinkedIn The choice of printing technology determines how long the colors will remain vibrant in the sun, how legible fine text will be, and whether the graphics will perform well on specific media (tent, umbrella, banner, flag). Below you will find a comparison of the methods we use at MITKO: DTF, sublimation, solvent with lamination, and UV.
Key information
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At MITKO, we use four printing technologies: DTF, sublimation, solvent with lamination, and UV.
- DTF is a transfer from foil to PES and PVC, providing high color accuracy and good UV resistance.
- Sublimation is ideal for large fabrics, photographs, and full backgrounds while maintaining a soft fabric feel.
- Solvent with lamination prints on PVC of any length, and the laminate enhances UV and scratch resistance.
- UV printing cured by light offers the highest resistance to UV radiation and very sharp detail.
- Choose UV for long sun exposure and micro-typography, DTF for quick personalization, sublimation for large fabrics, and solvent+laminate for durable PVC elements.
DTF Printing (Direct To Film)
DTF involves printing graphics onto a special film, sprinkling it with thermosensitive powder, and heating it. This creates a transfer that we apply to polyester or PVC. The limitation is the width of a single transfer, which is about 58 cm (larger designs are divided into segments or planned to connect at seams/panels). In return, you get a very high degree of color reproduction and excellent UV durability. What do you gain from this? The production of transfers allows you to stay ahead of the project’s logistics. You can prepare batches of markings in advance and apply them to the fabrics as needed. In practice, this shortens preparation time and facilitates personalization, where the tent and banners need to be quickly adapted to the partner and their event. Since DTF works on both polyester and PVC, you can easily maintain a consistent brand color across the entire set. From the tent walls to plastic elements. High UV resistance ensures that vibrant logos do not fade after one season, keeping the brand area looking fresh for longer, which effectively reduces the costs of refreshing the display. When to choose?
- When there are many repetitions of logos or promotional signs
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When you need saturated colors that require consistency
Sublimation
The most popular printing method on fabrics is sublimation. It is particularly valued for its durability and color intensity. In this technology, a special sublimation ink penetrates deeply into the fabric structure, making the print resistant to damage, abrasion, and washing. The sublimation printing process begins with applying the ink to a so-called transfer paper. Then, using a specialized device (calender), the graphics are transferred from the paper to the fabric. Sublimation works best on polyester materials – it allows printing on fabrics of any length while maintaining intense, full colors in the CMYK palette, which stand out for their saturation and sharpness. Advantages of sublimation:
- No color limitations
- Resistance to damage, abrasion, and washing
Disadvantages of sublimation:
- Material limitations; sublimation works best on polyester materials
- Higher energy consumption, especially when printing on larger surfaces
Solvent with Lamination
This type of printing is dedicated to materials made of PVC (a type of plastic), which can be of any length. By using a full range of CMYK colors (the four basic colors used in printing), the final graphics are colorful and vivid. After the print is applied, the surface is additionally covered with a special layer of laminate. This protects the print from UV rays, ensuring that the colors do not fade in sunlight, and also safeguards the material against scratches and other damage. The printing process is carried out using solvent methods, which means that a characteristic odor may occur during the operation of the device. This is the only method we offer that is not completely odorless. Advantages of solvent with lamination:
- Resistance to mechanical damage and weather conditions
- More intense and clearer colors
Disadvantages of solvent with lamination:
- Environmental limitations; this printing generates more waste that is difficult to recycle
- Increased weight due to lamination
UV Printing
UV printing is a modern digital printing technology in which the ink is cured using ultraviolet radiation. In practice, this means that a special ink is applied to the surface of the material and then almost immediately exposed to UV lamps, causing it to harden. As a result, the paint does not soak into the substrate but creates a durable, abrasion-resistant layer on its surface. Advantages of UV printing:
- Highest UV resistance. Colors do not fade as quickly during prolonged sun exposure. They stay looking new for longer.
- Excellent sharpness and detail. Very good readability of fine text, thin lines, and codes.
- Odorless in use. No characteristic solvent smell.
Disadvantages:
- Higher unit cost. Usually more expensive than sublimation or solvent.
Comparison Table
| Criterion | DTF | Sublimation | Solvent + Lamination | UV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substrates | PES, PVC | PES (fabrics/knits) | PVC (coated) | PES, PVC, eco-leather |
| Format | Length: any; transfer width ~58 cm | Length: any | Length: any | Length: any |
| UV Resistance | High | Good/average with constant exposure | High (laminate) | Highest |
| Mechanical Durability | High | Very high (dye in the fiber) | High (with laminate) | High |
| Detail/Text | Good | Depends on PES (better with sans-serif/larger size) | Good | Very good (also 10 pt on eco-leather) |
| Odor during printing | Odorless | Odorless | Noticeable (during printing) | Odorless |
| Relative Cost* | Average | Low/average | Average | High |
*Approximate, dependent on quantity, coverage, and finishes.
Text Readability
Comparison of Printing Techniques
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