By Nicholas Bevilacqua, product marketing manager, DTF & DTG, Fiery

Producing vibrant, high-quality direct to film (DTF) and direct to garment (DTG) printing relies on one critical element: a strong, well-executed white ink layer. This layer serves two roles: a solid underbase that supports CMYK colors, and a lighter highlight white that brings out detail in bright or semi-transparent areas. However, printing the white layers effectively, especially in a single pass, has always been a challenge—leading to muted colors, dull gradients, and lost detail.

Fiery’s newly patented Single-Pass Underbase with Highlight technology solves this long-standing limitation. Integrated into Fiery Digital Factory, it’s the only RIP process in the industry that applies both the underbase and highlight white simultaneously—no second pass, no media rewinding, no additional hardware, and no workflow disruption.

Why Traditional Workflows Fall Short

In typical DTF and DTG workflows, applying white ink involves a two-step layering process. First, a dense white underbase is laid down to support the full CMYK color range. Then, a lighter white “highlight” is added in bright or semi-transparent areas to ensure detail and brilliance. However, most DTF printers don’t support the rewinding or precision required for multiple passes. As a result, the highlight white layer is often skipped or poorly executed, leaving colors flat and lifeless.

Even with DTF printers that support multiple passes, this two-step process introduces inefficiencies: longer production times, increased risk of misalignment, and excessive ink usage. Operators are left navigating complex setups for results that still fall short of customer expectations.

How Fiery’s RIP Offers a Smarter, Simpler Print Pass

Fiery’s patented Single-Pass Underbase with Highlight technology removes the need for multiple passes by intelligently separating the white ink channel into underbase and highlight functions, then executing both in a single pass. The underbase ensures strong color saturation, while the highlight white adds brightness and fine detail where needed, without over-inking darker areas.

This all happens automatically within Fiery Digital Factory. The RIP software analyzes each design, calculates exactly where and how much white ink to apply, and delivers smoother gradients, sharper highlights, and more consistent results—all at full production speed.

Because it’s software-driven, users don’t need new equipment or workflow changes. Just enable the feature in Digital Factory, select a compatible print mode like “Color Opaque” for DTF, and adjust the ink strength for the underbase and highlight white in the Processing Options tab.

Brighter white tones make all colors stand out in DTF and DTG applications.

Better Results, Less Waste

Single-pass white control dramatically improves both quality and efficiency. Prints are more vibrant and detailed, with cleaner highlights and richer colors. At the same time, ink waste is reduced, especially in areas where a strong underbase isn’t needed.

By simplifying what used to be a complex, multi-step process, print providers can increase output, reduce errors, and produce consistently high-quality results with minimal setup.

Delivering DTF Innovation

Whether you’re running a high-volume shop or growing your print business, Digital Factory’s patented Single-Pass Underbase with Highlight technology provides measurable value. Larger operations gain increased throughput and reduced downtime, while smaller shops can achieve premium results without investing in new hardware or retraining staff. In all cases, it leads to a faster, more efficient print process with better outcomes.

This patented feature is more than just a technical improvement—it’s a reflection of Fiery’s commitment to driving the future of DTF printing. By addressing a long-standing challenge with an intelligent, software-driven solution, Fiery is not merely keeping pace but setting the standard for what RIP software can do in specialty printing. Digital Factory combines high-fidelity color management with advanced production tools, streamlining the entire DTF workflow from start to finish.

In a competitive market where speed, quality, and efficiency all matter, this breakthrough gives print providers a distinct competitive edge. Whether you’re printing full-color graphics, custom transfers, or high-contrast designs, Fiery Digital Factory helps you do it better, faster, and in a single pass.

Download a free 30-day trial of Fiery Digital Factory here.