Powder adhesives have been the traditional DTF printing standard used as the transfer ink bonding agent to fabric. However, this method is increasingly problematic because fine dust particles affect air quality; particularly in places where there is little ventilation or weak labor protections. Inhalation risks and dust contamination are reasons shops all over the world are re-evaluating their adhesive technologies.

Enter liquid glues – a neat, more exact choice that gets rid of airborne particles. Liquid kinds are getting popular because of their ability to be directly used on the film with almost no waste. Though they work in a neater way, these glues do bring some problems. Many print workers say there is printer clogging due to the thickness of glue-based liquids, and the drying time can take two to three times longer than usual powder systems which hurts production speed.

Still, the long-term shift appears inevitable. Industry projections suggest that demand for DTF powder adhesives, especially in high-volume regions, may decline by as much as 50% by 2026 as more printers transition to liquid systems. Manufacturers are also exploring hybrid adhesives that combine fine powder benefits with liquid application accuracy, signaling a new frontier in transfer chemistry.