How Often Should You Refill DTF Powder While Printing? Tips for FColor and Manual Powdering Systems

Question: 

I’m using a DTF printer from FColor and wondering if refilling the powder while printing frequently is normal. It seems like I’m constantly adding powder back into the top hopper. Is this typical?

Answer:

Is It Normal to Refill DTF Powder Frequently?

Yes, it is normal, especially during continuous or large-volume printing jobs. Whether using an automatic powder shaker or handling powder manually, the need to replenish powder frequently can initially feel surprising, but it is common.

Here’s a breakdown:

If You're Using an Automatic Powder Shaker:

Many FColor DTF printers are paired with automatic powdering machines. These machines apply powder to the film, typically including a powder return system to recycle unused powder. However:

• Efficiency Varies: Not all machines have efficient recovery systems. Some lose more powder in the return process due to suction issues, angle misalignment, or static cling.

• Surface Area Matters: If you print full-width designs, you use more ink, which means more powder is needed to adhere to the wet areas.

• Powder Density: Some users apply a heavier powder coat for better bonding, which uses more adhesive per print.

• Refill Rates Depend on Throughput: It’s common to refill multiple times during a single session for high print volumes.

So yes, if you’re adding powder more than expected, you’re not alone—it’s a shared experience among many users learning the DTF workflow.

If You’re Applying Powder Manually:

If you’re manually dusting the powder onto the wet ink film:

• The usage will depend strictly on how much area is printed and how thickly you apply the adhesive powder.

• You’ll likely reclaim some powder by collecting the excess and reusing it, but you must still periodically top up your working batch.

The action you mentioned—where it feels like you’re constantly shaking or snapping the film—is known in the DTF community as “flicking” or “snapping” the film. This step is essential and helps reduce wasted powder and poor curing results.

Here's how to do it properly:

1. Hold the printed film firmly on both sides near the printed section.

2. Please give it a quick downward snap (like shaking dust off a towel).

3. Optionally, tap the backside or gently knock the film's edge against a table to release stubborn powder.

4. You aim to leave powder only on the ink and remove all loose particles from unprinted areas.

This prevents residue from baking into the film during the curing process and avoids chalky marks on the final transfer. If you’d like, we can help craft a sentence or brief explanation to include in training materials or customer handouts—just let us know!

Handling powdering and printing efficiently takes a bit of trial and error, especially when balancing waste, print quality, and time. Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we're able to receive your printer. We service both entire units and specific parts, with guidance for each repair route. While our rates might not be the most budget-friendly, we strongly encourage self-help through online learning. Start by exploring our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search icon beside the "About" tab to find the right video. We've been producing content for nearly a decade, so searching by topic there is often more efficient than waiting for a response. Plus, YouTube may also recommend other relevant videos that could help!

Thanks again for reaching out—we appreciate your dedication to learning the DTF process, and we’re here to support you however we can!