Do you know how to choose TPU hot melt powder?

The DTF printing process has become increasingly popular among manufacturers in the industry. However, many factories, after purchasing a DTF printer, are often troubled by not knowing how to choose the right consumables. Indeed, the market offers a wide variety of DTF printer consumables, especially TPU hot melt powder.Do you know how to choose TPU hot melt powder?Let’s take a closer look at what TPU hot melt powder is.

At first glance, TPU hot melt powder may seem ordinary, but it is actually a type of adhesive. Adhesives are the bonding medium between two materials, and they come in many forms, most commonly in liquid form. Hot melt powder, however, appears in powder form.

In fact, TPU hot melt powder is not only used in the DTF printing process — it has a wide range of applications.

TPU hot melt powder can be applied to various textiles, leather, paper, wood, and other materials for printing, as well as in the preparation of different glue pastes. Glue pastes made with TPU hot melt powder feature excellent water resistance, high bonding strength, fast drying, low risk of screen clogging, and no impact on ink colors. It is considered a new environmentally friendly material.

So, what role does TPU hot melt powder play in the DTF printing process, and how is it applied?

After the DTF printer finishes printing the colored part of the design, a layer of white ink is applied on top. Next, using the powdering and shaking functions of the DTF powder shaker, TPU hot melt powder is evenly sprinkled over the white ink layer. Since the white ink is in liquid form and wet, the TPU hot melt powder naturally adheres to it, while areas without ink do not attract powder.
Then, the design passes through an oven (arch type or conveyor type), where the ink is dried and the TPU hot melt powder is fixed onto the white ink. This completes the DTF transfer sheet.

After that, the design is transferred to clothing or other fabrics using a heat press. The garment is laid flat, the DTF transfer sheet is positioned correctly, and the appropriate temperature, pressure, and time are applied to melt the TPU hot melt powder, bonding the design firmly to the fabric. This is how a customized garment made using the DTF process is completed.

Types of TPU Hot Melt Powder

First, there are coarse, medium, and fine powders.

• Coarse powder has larger particles, greater thickness, and a stiffer feel. It is suitable for coarse-textured cotton-linen or denim, such as cotton-linen tote bags, denim jackets, and backpacks.

• Medium powder has smaller particles, a softer feel, and good wash resistance. It is suitable for general cotton, polyester fabrics, and medium-to-low stretch fabrics, such as T-shirts, hoodies, sportswear, and eco-friendly bags.

• Fine powder has even smaller particles compared to medium powder. It can be used for T-shirts, hoodies, and sportswear, and is also suitable for printing small and detailed wash labels and tags.

Next, TPU hot melt powder is also classified by mesh size. The higher the mesh number, the finer the powder, which makes it suitable for more delicate fabrics. Common mesh sizes in the market are 60, 80, 90, and 120.

Does that mean the finer the powder, the better?
When choosing consumables, manufacturers should remember: the most expensive is not always the best — the most suitable is the best. Selecting the right TPU hot melt powder according to your fabric type ensures maximum utilization of the material and avoids unnecessary cost waste.

In addition, TPU hot melt powder is divided into high-temperature and low-temperature types.

• Standard TPU hot melt powder requires high heat to melt and bond to the garment.

• Low-temperature TPU hot melt powder allows pressing at lower temperatures, making the process more convenient.
  High-temperature TPU hot melt powder offers better resistance to hot water washing, though standard TPU hot melt powder will also withstand normal household washing temperatures without peeling.

Lastly, TPU hot melt powder also comes in different colors. The most common is white, which is used by most manufacturers. Black hot melt powder is also available and is often used on dark fabrics.

In summary, to choose TPU hot melt powder wisely, first understand its role, and then select the type that best matches your fabric to achieve the best results.