info@1clickprint.com
01909 561888
DTF has taken the printing world by storm. But if you’ve ever printed DTF, you’ll have seen the vapours it gives off. This has led to serious concerns and industry rumours about what damage those fumes might be doing, with some even questioning if DTF powder is the next asbestos or a potential cause of cancer.
Because we output hundreds of metres of DTF Trade Print every day using a bank of large printers, we needed to know for sure if the environment was safe for our team. If the extraction is turned off even for a few minutes, the print room turns into a sauna with attitude.
Here is exactly what we found when we brought in the experts to test our production line.
The standard safety data sheets often just list what should be in your supplies, rather than what is actually in them. When you dig into the chemistry of the curing process, there are a couple of potential red flags:
The Powder: DTF adhesive powder is made from 100% TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). While TPU itself is completely safe, polyurethane is normally manufactured using harsh chemicals called isocyanates.
The Heat Risk: If your curing oven has a hot spot that pushes the powder above 180°C, the TPU can break down and release these isocyanates into the air for you to breathe in. Isocyanates are dangerous, heavily regulated, and are a leading cause of severe workplace asthma.
The Inks: When dealing with the powder and the baking, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released into the air. However, it is actually the inks that produce almost all of the visible vapours you see during printing.
To get definitive answers, we hired Euro Environmental, the UK’s leading experts on workplace exposure. We didn’t just want a quick glance at the paperwork; we wanted hard data.
They fitted our production manager, Dominic, with a massive array of sensors to track his exposure during a standard working day. They tracked every breath and every movement to conduct a full-spectrum test. They tested for:
Airborne fine particles
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Isocyanates
They even took urine samples to test for anything that wasn’t airborne.
After a four-week wait, the experts returned a comprehensive 31-page report covering every aspect of our DTF production.
The results were a massive relief:
Small particle dust: Not an issue.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Not an issue.
Isocyanates: No evidence of exposure.
Overall: No exposure detected.
We can confidently say that printing with our high-quality DTF ink and powder is completely safe.
While our supplies passed with flying colours, we don’t know what is in your DTF powder or ink. To minimise your risk and protect your health, you need to take proactive steps:
Demand Proof of Testing: Do not rely on hand-me-down safety documents from a random factory overseas. Always source your inks and powder from a supplier that can provide genuine evidence of safety testing.
Use Proper Ventilation: This is the most important step. Even if your fumes don’t contain dangerous isocyanates, a build-up of vapours will 100% irritate your eyes and throat, which is zero fun. Always run adequate extraction.
(Note: If you are looking to expand your offerings without dealing with the curing ovens and powders required for fabrics, UV DTF Printing is a fantastic alternative for rigid items that relies on UV light curing rather than heat and melting powder).
