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The impact of DTF is growing in the garment decoration world. So much so that companies must focus as much time on the consumables as well as the big machinery. Resolute is helping solve these issues by producing DTF film in-house. Managing director Colin Marsh explains.
As DTF production moves into its next stage of growth, speed is no longer the only measure of efficiency. For high-volume print operations, the real pressure often comes from the parts of the workflow that interrupt production: roll changes, film waste, static, moisture, and unnecessary downtime.
A standard 100m roll of DTF film can disappear in just a couple of hours on today’s high-end production systems. Each changeover means stopping the printer, handling film, resetting the feed and accepting the inevitable waste that comes with restarting a production run. For businesses running multiple machines, those interruptions can happen several times a day.
Resolute has now addressed that issue by bringing DTF film production in-house. The company produces DTF film rolls in custom widths of up to 1.2m wide and in virtually any practical length, giving larger customers the freedom to specify rolls that match their equipment, workflow and output requirements.
For busy DTF producers, this is more than just a convenience. It has the potential to change the rhythm of production. During Resolute’s beta trials, one of the most popular formats was a 63cm x 200m roll. This size allows two 30x40cm leavers transfers to be printed side by side, reducing film waste while keeping the print area at an efficient and practical size.
Importantly, the custom service does not replace Resolute’s standard off-the-shelf DTF film range. The company continues to supply the standard 60x100m rolls, alongside standard 45cm, 42cm, 35cm, 33cm and 30cm width options, giving customers the choice between readily available everyday stock and bespoke rolls designed for higher-volume production.
Epson, Roland and Mimaki DTF printer owners can also benefit from the Resolute Hot Peel PRO 80cm, 90cm and 1.2m DTF rolls, in custom lengths and a tweak to the widths that are not available from the current consumable suppliers, not to mention the price you would expect when buying direct from the manufacturing source.
A seamless change
The move comes at a time when industrial DTF users are increasingly focused on continuous roll-to-roll production, layout efficiency and minimising downtime. In high output environments, better use of film area and fewer roll changes can make a direct difference to daily throughput, labour efficiency and material cost.
At the heart of the new service is Resolute Premium Pro DTF film coating, a unique hybrid coating developed to help combat some of the most common causes of production issues: patchy light colours, moisture and static. In DTF printing, these can create instability, from powder contamination and film movement to inconsistent results across longer runs. Resolute’s coating was developed towards the end of 2025 and has remained unchanged ever since, giving the company time to test it in real production environments before wider release. Its first test in the market was in Resolute’s Trade Only transfer service, hosted at www.hotpeel.film. The mystery behind the quality of transfers produced in the trial is now out of the bag, but it remained a hot topic for many months before the film’s final release.
Resolute obtained an exclusive license on the hybrid coating, and early results have shown some of the most
vibrant colours seen in the industry. Greys and blues, which can often appear patchy on lower-quality film, are noticeably more consistent thanks to the quality of the coating and the way it is applied. During production, the hybrid coating is laid down using a new confidential process, improving tack continuity across the multiple coatings to the film surface, helping to deliver stronger, cleaner solid colours.
New investments, new equipment
The investment behind the service is equally significant. Resolute commissioned a new automated 1.3m-wide multi-take-up slitter and spooling machine, allowing the team to convert master rolls into bespoke sizes quickly and accurately. The production requires specialist handling equipment due to the 4km length of master rolls used, before being modified to its final width and length. That capability gives UK and international customers access to film formats that would previously have required compromise, large minimum orders, or overseas sourcing. Packaging and other materials used in the process are sourced locally in the UK, improving Resolute’s eco credentials.
Resolute is the only UK company processing PET film specifically for DTF and manufacturing high-quality, low-sediment DTF inks; the custom roll service strengthens that position further as true leaders in DTF technology.
Keeping it in the family
Although Resolute is no longer a small company, it remains a family-run business, with six family members part of the knowledgeable team at Resolute HQ in Chesterfield. That combination of scale, technical understanding and family ownership has become a defining part of the company’s identity.
With in-house ink manufacturing, custom DTF film production and a clear focus on solving real production problems, Resolute is positioning itself as one of the most distinctive DTF manufacturers in the UK. For customers chasing higher output, better quality, less waste and fewer interruptions, custom DTF film may be the next upgrade they did not realise they needed.
For further details, visit www.resolute.ink or contact Colin Marsh on 01246 202686 colin@resoluteink.co.uk
