Enhancing Apparel with Special Effects and Neon Inks in DTF Printing: David Sweetnam

06 September 2025: David Sweetnam, Keypoint Intelligence, Explains how this Adds Compelling Visual Appeal without the Complexity of Traditional Embellishment Methods.

The direct-to-film (DTF) printing landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, driven by innovations that enable decorators to differentiate through vibrant and eye-catching designs. Among the most impactful developments are special effect solutions-ranging from glitter and foil finishes to fluorescent neon inks-that add compelling visual appeal without the complexity of traditional embellishment methods.

Beyond CMYK: Expanding the Creative Palette
Today’s advanced DTF systems, many equipped with three or more printheads, support a broader range of ink channels beyond the standard CMYK and white. This includes spot colors, fluorescents, and even pastels, which significantly expand the available color gamut.

Fluorescent inks, commonly referred to as neon, are especially effective for high-impact applications such as nightlife apparel, festival wear, and promotional gear. While most devices treat neon inks as a spot colour only, some devices incorporate neon inks into their icc profile. In one test our lab testing, the addition of Neon Magenta and Neon Yellow increased the printable color gamut by 27% and allowed much improved spot colour matching of some challenging colours compared to CMYK alone., improving the reproduction accuracy of challenging brand colors-from a DeltaE of 7.24 down to 2.56 in one example.

Simplifying Special Effects
The introduction of specialty DTF films, such as glitter and foil varieties, further enhances design possibilities. These films integrate visual effects into the release layer, eliminating the need for post-processing steps like cutting or weeding.

In our evaluation of films from STS, Sublistar, Calca, Nanjing Yiqia, and others, glitter-based products offered consistent, dense coverage across both cotton and polyester substrates. Foils, while visually striking, were slightly more finicky on cotton materials but still delivered excellent results when properly calibrated.

Performance Through Wear and Wash
Durability remains a key consideration for decorators. Neon ink prints maintained their vibrancy and UV-reactive properties even after 20 wash cycles, with only minor reductions in glow intensity. Similarly, glitter and foil transfers demonstrated strong wash resistance over 15 cycles at 30°C, particularly on polyester garments. These results reinforce the viability of special effect DTF as a durable and value-added offering.

Looking Ahead
At events like APPPExpo in China, emerging techniques such as dual-pass foil applications – printing adhesive followed by foil transfer-are pushing the boundaries of what DTF can achieve. While these require multi-head printers, they offering sharp, premium finishes that rival more complex embellishment methods. A recent LinkedIn poll indicated that while 25% of respondents intend to explore neon DTF within the year, only 18% believe they can command higher prices for such effects. This underscores the opportunity for providers to better communicate the value of specialty applications to their clients. As DTF technology continues to mature, decorators now have a powerful toolkit to deliver both creative distinction and commercial durability.

For more insights, contact David Sweetnam at david.sweetnam@keypointintelligence.com