Koala Paper, China, Launches DTF Transfer Film Compatible with Sublimation Inks
Revolutionary Coating Technology Empowers DTF Printing on Various Materials Without Changing Equipment
Nanjing, China–Koala Paper, a brand committed to innovation in digital printing materials, today announced the launch of a new sublimation-compatible Direct to Film (DTF) transfer film, specially designed for users of sublimation printers. This product supports sublimation ink systems and enables precise transfers onto non-polyester materials such as cotton fabrics and canvas—without the need for costly DTF-specific equipment. By significantly reducing the technical and financial barriers of cross-material printing, it offers a flexible and cost-effective new solution for creative hobbyists and small to medium-sized businesses in the custom printing industry.
The newly released DTF transfer film features Koala Paper's independently developed dual-layer coating structure. The top layer is a nanoporous absorption coating specifically engineered for sublimation inks. It effectively locks in dye molecules and prevents image shifting, cracking, or peeling during heat pressing. The bottom layer is an optimized release coating that ensures smooth image transfer and clean peel-off, avoiding residue or tearing issues. While enhancing image color saturation and definition, this advanced coating technology also reduces the risk of color bleeding and ink dispersion during the transfer process—bringing true "cross-platform compatibility" to sublimation printing workflows.
"In the past, sublimation inks were considered unsuitable for DTF films due to fundamental differences in transfer mechanisms—sublimation works by vaporizing the ink and allowing it to penetrate fabric fibers, whereas DTF relies on pigment ink bonding with hot melt adhesive to form a surface layer. Since sublimation dye molecules couldn't be effectively held by traditional DTF coatings, the resulting prints often appeared blurry and lacked colorfastness." explained the product manager Terry Hou at Koala Paper. "However, our nanoporous coating technology has solved this problem by enabling sublimation ink to anchor securely on the film surface. The result is vivid color output with excellent durability. Most importantly, users can now expand into cotton-based printing applications without changing any of their existing sublimation equipment—dramatically lowering the hardware threshold and operational costs."
Koala Paper states that the film is compatible with mainstream thermal sublimation ink systems, and the transferred images feature clear details with color performance comparable to existing sublimation processes. More crucially, this solution eliminates the need for investing in expensive DTF-specific equipment. It is fully compatible with desktop thermal sublimation printers such as the Epson L8050, capable of saving over 60% of the overall equipment and consumable costs. Meanwhile, the film features fast drying, no peculiar smell, easy peeling, and other advantages, which greatly simplify the operation process and improve production efficiency. It is especially suitable for non-industrial users such as small and medium-sized studios, home workshops, and education and training institutions.
On the sustainability front, the product reflects Koala Paper's ongoing commitment to green manufacturing. Both the coating materials and film base have passed multiple safety and environmental certifications, and the production process uses low-energy, high-stability coating technology to minimize environmental impact while maximizing transfer performance.