DTF hot melt adhesive powder is graded by particle size in microns. "80-170u" means the powder spans a particle distribution from about 80 to 170 microns — a common working range across DTF consumables supply. It matters because particle size changes how much powder deposits on the film, how it behaves in the shaker and oven, and how the adhesive layer bonds to a given fabric. ChromaBind's DTF hot melt powder line is available in this 80-170u range across its ep005 and ep001 grades, with a 1-NO grade also listed in the factory spec. The right grade for your shop depends on the fabric and application, and it should always be confirmed with a sample run on your actual material before you commit to a bulk order.
What does "80-170u" actually mean?
"u" is shorthand for micron (µm) — one micron is one-thousandth of a millimetre. A spec of 80-170u means the powder is not a single uniform particle size; it is a distribution that ranges from about 80 microns up to about 170 microns. When a supplier quotes a particle size, they are describing the range that the bulk of the particles fall into.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 micron (µm) | One-thousandth of a millimetre |
| 80-170u | Particle distribution from 80 to 170 microns |
| 100u | About 0.1 mm |
Why particle size matters in DTF production
Particle size influences three things you will notice on the production floor:
- Deposit weight. A coarser powder deposits more adhesive per square metre; a finer powder tends to spread more evenly and can behave differently in the shaker.
- Melting and flow. Powder has to melt and flow into a continuous adhesive layer during curing. Particle size is one factor that changes how fast and how evenly that layer forms.
- Hand feel and bond. After transfer, the adhesive layer sits between the ink and the fabric. Coarser layers can feel stiffer, and the bond to a smooth or stretchy fabric can differ from a heavier cotton.
Because all three effects interact with the fabric and with the powder formulation, they cannot be predicted from a micron number alone. That is exactly why a controlled sample test matters.
Fine, medium and coarse — the categories suppliers use
Supplier and print-shop guides commonly group DTF hot melt powders into fine, medium and coarse categories, and describe each as behaving differently on different print jobs. A-Sub's overview of fine, medium and coarse DTF powders is a useful industry reference, and Sublistar's guide to choosing DTF powder explains the selection logic from a consumables supplier's viewpoint. Use these to build the right questions, then verify on your own fabric.
What the grade name tells you
Grade names such as ep005, ep001 or 1-NO identify a specific powder formulation and its particle specification. The same nominal particle range can still behave differently between formulations, so the grade name matters as much as the micron number.
When a supplier quotes a grade, ask for the matching specification sheet so you can compare like for like:
| What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Particle size range (e.g. 80-170u) | Sets the working category and deposit behaviour |
| Melt point or recommended curing temperature | Tells you whether it fits your oven settings |
| Recommended fabric types | Gives the supplier's intended application range |
| Batch number format | Lets you trace repeat orders back to a production batch |
ChromaBind's current DTF powder line lists ep005 (80-170u) and ep001 (80-170u) as the primary grades, plus a 1-NO grade as recorded in the factory sheet. See the DTF hot melt adhesive powder product page for the current SKU records and pack formats.
How to match a powder grade to your fabric
There is no honest shortcut: the reliable way to match a grade to fabric is a controlled sample run on the actual material you print. This workflow works for both production shops and distributors validating a new line.
- Name the fabric. Cotton, poly-cotton, polyester, stretch, heavy fleece and smooth technical fabrics all place different demands on the adhesive layer.
- Ask the supplier for a recommended grade and a sample. Confirm the sample route — fee, freight, quantity and timing — for your target SKU and destination.
- Run the same file on the fabric you actually use. Keep printer settings, shake time, curing temperature and press settings identical so the only variable is the powder.
- Check the result. Look at powder coverage after shaking, how the film peels, adhesion after washing and stretching, and the hand feel of the finished print.
- Keep a batch record. Note the grade, batch number and settings so the next reorder can reproduce the result.
Our DTF consumables testing checklist walks through the full evaluation in more detail.
A simple sample test plan
| Test | What you are looking for |
|---|---|
| Shake / deposit | Even coverage with no bare patches or excess build-up |
| Peel | Clean release, no powder lifting with the film |
| Cure | Adhesive melts into a continuous layer at your current oven settings |
| Wash / stretch | Adhesion holds on your target fabric after a normal wash cycle |
| Hand feel | The printed area feels acceptable for your product |
If you are comparing grades, test them side by side on the same fabric before choosing. Particle size also interacts with curing temperature, so set the oven correctly for the grade you test — see our DTF powder curing guide.
Documentation to ask your supplier for
Before you order in volume, a responsible supplier should be able to give you a clear documentation picture. Ask for:
- SDS/MSDS for the powder
- TDS that includes particle size range and recommended curing temperature
- Batch number format
- Transport appraisal for the shipping mode you plan to use (sea and air routes can differ)
Documentation status is verified for the selected product and shipment, and available document identifiers and scope are shared with the quotation. If the same questions are coming up for inks and liquids, our DTF import documentation guide covers the wider file set.
Ordering: pack formats and container references
Once the grade is validated, the packing question is straightforward. ChromaBind's powder line is available as 1kg and 5kg packs (20 packs or 4 packs per 20KG carton), 20kg cartons, 20kg and 25kg drums, and 25kg bags, with carton, pallet and 20GP container references recorded per SKU. The HS reference is 3909500000.
| Pack format | Example carton reference |
|---|---|
| 1kg pack | 20 packs per 20KG carton |
| 5kg pack | 4 packs per 20KG carton |
| 20kg carton | 20KG per carton |
| 20kg drum / 25kg drum | 20kg or 25kg per drum |
| 25kg bag | 25kg per bag |
Exact carton dimensions, gross weight and CBM are shared from the current SKU record with your quotation. See our guide to reading a DTF consumables quote and mixed DTF container loading if you are planning a combined shipment.
If you already know your target fabric and grade, request a quote and we will confirm the SKU-level packing, sample route and documentation status for your destination.