This guide walks through the full process of making UV DTF decals — every step from artwork to finished product, plus the film and accessories you need along the way.
By the end you'll know what A film and B film each do, what to prepare besides the film itself, how many steps stand between your artwork and a finished decal, and which moves are the easiest to get wrong.
What are UV DTF decals, and how are they different from regular stickers or eco-solvent vinyl decal?
UV DTF decals are built very differently from a printed sticker, and the difference starts with how the layers go together. They're also sold as crystal labels or crystal stickers.
Regular sticker | Eco-Solvent Vinyl Decal | UV DTF decal | |
Structure | Single adhesive-backed layer (paper) | Printed vinyl + laminate (optional — lamination improves durability) + transfer tape | UV ink layers + adhesive cured as one |
Look and feel | Flat | Flat (gloss or matte lamination optional) | Raised, dimensional |
Adhesion | Moderate; edges lift over time | Strong; stretchable and heat-formable to conform to complex curves | Strong |
Durability | Not abrasion- or water-resistant | High | Abrasion-resistant and waterproof |
Best surfaces | Flat paper, packaging | Outdoor vehicle wraps, large-format signage, flat rigid materials |
UV DTF film and accessories: what you need
UV DTF film comes as a two-part set: A film, which you print on, and B film, which carries the design onto the product.
A film (print film): The entire sheet is coated with adhesive, and the design prints directly onto that adhesive side. The A film gets peeled away at the end, but the adhesive travels with the design and becomes the layer that holds the decal onto the product.
B film (transfer film): Pressed down over the design during lamination. Once the A film is peeled away, the design is carried by the B film; you apply it to the product, peel the B film off, and the design stays behind.
A film and B film are used as a set. Neither one produces a finished decal on its own.
Laminator: Bonds the A film and B film together into one complete UV DTF decal.
Roll feed: For long-format UV DTF decals, you'll also need the roll feed accessory.
Step-by-step tutorial: how to make UV DTF decals
Step | Please note | |
|---|---|---|
Step 1: Print preparation |
| A transparent background is recommended |
Step 2: Load the B Film on the Laminator | Load the B film onto the laminator and switch on the heating function
| Adhesive side up (the slightly tacky side) |
Step 3: Laminate the A Film With the B Film | Feed the A film through the laminator print side up (adhesive side up) to laminate it with the B film
| Load the B film roll on the laminator and let it finish heating; feed the A film in print side up, let the machine pull the material through, and wait until the entire design has passed before cutting |
Step 4: Cut and separate the designs | Separate the designs with scissors or a die cutter; you don't need to cut tight to the artwork — margin around the edges is fine | |
Step 5: Apply the Decal and Peel the B Film | Peel off the A film and apply to the product | Clean the surface of the product first; set the decal down from the center, then squeegee outward to both sides, going over it several times. This keeps the adhesive from failing to bond to the surface |
Peel off the B film | Slowly, at a low angle, keeping it close to the surface | |
Tips for better UV DTF decals
- Always clean the product before applying — nine times out of ten, that's why a decal falls off. Wipe with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth, and let it dry completely before applying.
- Peel the B film slowly. If the design starts lifting with the film, press it back down and re-peel from a different direction. Don't force it.
- For transparent objects, use a Color + White + Color ink mode. The design then carries color on both faces, so it reads correctly from either side of the glass.
- For gloss or scratch resistance, print 1–3 varnish layers. More layers mean more gloss and better scratch resistance, at the cost of longer print time.
