DIGITAL PRINTING / DTF www.images-magazine.com 48 images APRIL 2022 Fanéla: GLB Reversal Software and Brother Film and Powder from MHM Direct GB Ashley Kelley, head of DTG/ DTF/sublimation Tell us a bit about Fanéla. Fanéla is a one-stop shop for garment decoration. Why did you decide to start offering DTF printing? We initially started offering DTF to our clients to overcome the issues with printing onto polyester-based garments and also in order to do small logo work better by gang-sheeting up and pressing onto garments instead of pretreating each and every garment separately, thus saving time and money. What DTF system do you use and how many machines are you using it on? We are utilising the RIP software given to me for free by Brother called GLB Reversal and use this on the six Brother GTX Pro Bulks we already have for DTG. We starting doing this initially around one year ago using Adobe Photoshop and creating our own base and flipping the art over to make transfers, but the free software offered to us by Brother makes it a quick and easy process. Why did you opt for this system? We use this system because of its ease of use and there is no extra outlay to pay for as it utilises everything we already have for DTG. Because we are primarily a print-on-demand business we often do one-offs so a sheet-fed system like this is better for us than a roll-to-roll system. Why did you choose to adapt your existing DTG machines rather than buy a DTF machine? Do you think you’ll buy a DTF printer in the future? We decided to go down this route as all we had to purchase was PET film and glue powder to get going. We may buy one in the future, but we’re hoping that Brother will develop one as opposed to buying direct from China because we are confident in the Brother brand and also the back-up service we receive is always impeccable. Is there anything you’d like to see improved or don’t particularly like about the DTF process on a Brother machine? The software tweak I would like to see is the ability to ‘gang’ up my artwork so I can have multiple art on one sheet. What’s your top bit of advice on getting the best out of it? My tip would be to take time to dial in the settings that suit your film and environment, but once the settings are on point it’s a breeze to use. What type of work is it mainly used for? Like I say, we mainly use it for doing leftchest logos as we can load one sheet with between 30-40 images and so it makes it really cost-effective. Do you see DTF replacing other types of printing at Fanéla? I work with almost all the possible methods of decorating garments and they all have their place and not one supersedes the other – so, no, I don’t think it will, but rather [it will] help in areas where we can bring costs down. What would be your advice to others thinking of starting to offer DTF printing? Test, test and test! Purchase many different PET films and powders to make sure you have the correct ones for your needs and also dial in those settings. www.fanela.co.uk Opting to use its Brother GTX Pro Bulks meant all Fanéla had to purchase to start DTF printing was PET film and glue powder, explains Ashley
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