Choke Adjustments in DTF Printing

Understanding DTF Printing and Choke Adjustments

What is Choke in DTF Printing?

Choke is a printing technique used to ensure that the White ink under-base does not show around the edges of the printed colors. When the design file is loaded in the RIP software (before printing) a choke or inset is applied to all the areas where color ink will print. This choke or inset is very minimal, but in designs with small text and fine details it can make those small design pieces practically disappear.

In Production Changes to the Choke

Periodically there are alignment and printing quality issues. To compensate for this, the DTF Production team will adjust the amount of choke to prevent the white ink from showing or extending beyond the printed color.

This choke adjustment is usually not noticeable, but if the design includes small text or fine details, the result can appear drastic. For example, if you have a design with small text that previously printed fine, you might notice that the same text is now less readable or missing in the recent prints.

Exceptions to the Choke in DTF Printing

The only exception, where a choke or inset is NOT applied to a design, is when printing white only. Wherever there is White in a design, there is no choke applied (since only white ink is being printed). This is one way a customer could print designs with pieces smaller than our recommended 0.02 inch minimum. However, the thinner the printed text, line, element is, the less adhesive there is and could lead to a failure when the transfer is heat applied.

Using CMYK and RGB white are the best ways to ensure only white is printed. If a 'white' Spot color is used, or if the CMYK or RGB values are not pure white (C:0 Y:0 M:0 K:0 or R:255 G:255 B:255) the RIP software will see this as a printed color and apply a choke.

Best Practices

To ensure that your DTF Transfers print clearly (even with small / thin pieces), follow these steps:

Check Thickness: Ensure that the text, lines, or other elements in your design are at least 0.02 inches thick. This is the minimum recommended thickness, though if you can go thicker, that will give you a better result.
Assign CMYK 'White': If your text, lines, or other elements are smaller than the recommended thickness, you can assign it CMYK 'white'. This will prevent choke from being applied, ensuring that it remains visible.
Review Design Before Printing: Before submitting your design for printing, review it to ensure that all details meet the minimums. This can help you catch any potential issues before the design goes to print.

Understanding how choke adjustments can affect your DTF prints is crucial for ensuring that your designs come out as expected. By following the steps outlined above, you can address issues related to small text and fine details, ensuring that your designs are clear and readable. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out to our customer service team.