A DTF consumables quote is more than a price per unit. For international buyers, the real cost sits in the packing details — carton quantity, gross weight, CBM (cubic meters), and HS code reference. Reading these correctly is the difference between a smooth container shipment and surprise freight charges at the port.
This guide explains each field on a DTF consumables data sheet using real ChromaBind SKU data so you can evaluate quotes, compare suppliers, and plan shipping costs before you commit to an order.
View DTF transfer film product specs
What does "carton" mean in a DTF consumables quote?
A "carton" is the export-ready shipping box that contains the product. In DTF consumables, carton quantity varies by product type and format.
DTF film: rolls per carton
DTF film is sold by the roll. The carton tells you how many rolls you receive per box.
| Variant | Carton quantity | Carton size (m) | GW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single side 30cm | 4 rolls/ctn | 0.62×0.31×0.15 | 15 kg |
| Single side 60cm | 2 rolls/ctn | 0.62×0.31×0.15 | 15 kg |
| Single side 33cm | 2 rolls/ctn | 0.62×0.29×0.15 | 9 kg |
| Double side 60cm × 100m | 1 roll/ctn | 0.62×0.16×0.16 | 7.5 kg |
A double-side 60cm roll carton (1 roll/ctn) is physically the same width as the single-side 60cm carton (2 rolls/ctn) but half the thickness — because double-side film is thicker per roll so fewer rolls fit per box. This affects how you stack pallets and calculate container space.
DTF powder: kilograms per carton, not rolls
DTF powder packs by weight, not count:
| Variant | Carton quantity | Carton size (m) | GW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1kg pack × 20 (20KG ctn) | 20 packs/ctn | 0.27×0.53×0.25 | 21 kg |
| 20kg carton (ep005) | 20KG/ctn loose | 0.52×0.35×0.25 | 22 kg |
| 20kg drum | 1 drum/ctn | 0.34×0.34×0.47 | 22.5 kg |
| 25kg bag | 1 bag | 0.76×0.42×0.12 | 26.2 kg |
Important: Carton quantity (e.g., "4 rolls/ctn" or "20KG/ctn") is packing information — it is not the same as commercial MOQ. A supplier may ship multiple cartons per order. Always confirm minimum order quantity separately.
DTF ink: bottles per carton
DTF ink is shipped in cartons of standardised bottles or sets:
| Variant | Carton quantity | Carton size (m) | GW |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTF white ink 20KG | 20KG/ctn | 0.46×0.37×0.25 | 22 kg |
| DTF CMYK ink 20KG | 20KG/ctn | 0.47×0.36×0.24 | 22 kg |
| UV DTF ink 1L × 20 (Vikas) | 20 bottles/ctn | 0.51×0.408×0.21 | 22 kg |
| UV DTF ink 500ml × 20 (Vikas) | 20 bottles/ctn | 0.37×0.30×0.195 | 12 kg |
For a full breakdown of UV DTF AB film and B film packing options, see our UV DTF AB film buyer's guide.
Gross weight (GW) vs net weight: what is the difference?
Net weight (NW) is the weight of the product alone. Gross weight (GW) is the product plus all packaging (carton, inner bags, partitions, tape, pallet if applicable).
- Film example: A single-side 30cm DTF film carton has a GW of 15 kg — most of that is the film rolls. The carton itself adds roughly 0.5–1 kg.
- Powder example: A 20KG-carton of 1kg packs has NW = 20 kg (20 × 1kg packs) but GW = 21 kg. The 1 kg difference is the carton, inner partitions, and packing tape.
- Ink example: A UV DTF ink carton (1L × 20) has GW = 22 kg for a net 20 kg of ink.
Why GW matters: Freight forwarders charge by gross weight (for air freight) or by whichever is higher between gross weight and volumetric weight (CBM × a conversion factor). If your supplier only provides net weight, you cannot calculate accurate freight costs.
All ChromaBind DTF consumable SKUs quote gross weight per carton so you can share accurate data with your freight forwarder during the RFQ stage.
See our DTF hot melt powder pack formats guide for detailed pallet (36 cartons, 720 kg NW / 735 kg GW) and 20GP container (639 cartons) loading references.
CBM: cubic meters and shipping cost
CBM (cubic meters) is the volume a carton occupies. It is calculated as length (m) × width (m) × height (m).
Why CBM matters more than you think
Sea freight (especially LCL — less than container load) is charged by CBM. Even for FCL (full container load), CBM tells you how many cartons fit in a container and whether you can mix different products.
CBM comparison across DTF consumables
| Product | Carton size (m) | CBM per carton | Cartons per 20GP (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTF film (single 30cm) | 0.62×0.31×0.15 | 0.02883 | ~780 |
| DTF powder (1kg pack carton) | 0.27×0.53×0.25 | 0.035775 | ~629 |
| DTF powder (ep005 20kg ctn) | 0.52×0.35×0.25 | 0.050085 | ~449 |
| DTF white ink 20KG | 0.46×0.37×0.25 | 0.04255 | ~529 |
| UV DTF ink 1L × 20 | 0.51×0.408×0.21 | 0.0436968 | ~515 |
| AB film A3 (500 pcs white base) | 0.455×0.335×0.14 | 0.02134 | ~1,055 |
Notice the range: one 20GP container can hold roughly 450 to 1,050 cartons, depending entirely on product density and carton dimensions. This is why a mixed container — combining film cartons (low CBM per kg) with ink cartons (higher density) — often uses container space more efficiently than a single-product load.
How to calculate CBM yourself
If a supplier gives carton dimensions in centimetres (e.g., 62 × 31 × 15 cm):
CBM = 0.62 × 0.31 × 0.15 = 0.02883 m³
If a supplier does not provide carton dimensions, you cannot calculate CBM, and you cannot estimate sea freight. This is a red flag when comparing DTF consumable suppliers.
HS code references: what they mean and what they do not
HS codes (Harmonized System codes) are internationally standardised product classification numbers used for customs declarations, tariff rates, and trade statistics.
ChromaBind HS reference codes
| Product family | HS reference |
|---|---|
| DTF transfer film / UV DTF AB film | 3920620000 |
| DTF hot melt adhesive powder | 3909500000 |
| DTF ink / UV DTF ink / UV flatbed ink | 3215902000 |
How to use HS codes in a quote
- Use as a reference, not a guarantee. The final HS classification is determined by customs in the destination country based on the exact product composition, application, and local tariff interpretation.
- Share with your customs broker. The HS reference helps your broker start the classification process before the shipment arrives.
- Check for duty rate differences. Different HS chapters may carry different import duty rates. If the supplier's HS code seems wrong for your market, ask your customs agent to verify.
Note: Documentation including SDS/MSDS for DTF powder, DTF ink, and UV ink is available on request, to be verified. Do not assume REACH, RoHS, or other certification status without verified documents.
Putting it together: sample quote comparison
Here is how a well-structured DTF consumables quote should look. Compare these two hypothetical supplier responses:
Supplier A (weak quote)
| Item | Price | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| DTF film 60cm | $X/roll | 100 rolls |
| DTF powder | $Y/kg | 100 kg |
❌ Missing: carton dimensions, CBM, gross weight, HS code, pack format detail. You cannot calculate freight or container loading from this quote.
Supplier B (strong quote — spec-complete)
| Item | Pack | Ctn size (m) | CBM | GW/ctn | HS ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF film SS 60cm | 2 rolls/ctn | 0.62×0.31×0.15 | 0.02883 | 15 kg | 3920620000 |
| DTF powder ep005 | 20KG/ctn | 0.52×0.35×0.25 | 0.050085 | 22 kg | 3909500000 |
✅ You can immediately: estimate sea freight per container, plan pallet stacking, calculate land cost per unit, and share accurate data with your freight forwarder.
ChromaBind provides spec-complete quoting on all 42 SKUs across five consumable families — DTF transfer film, DTF hot melt powder, DTF ink, UV DTF ink, and UV DTF AB film.
Common mistakes when reading DTF consumables quotes
Mistake 1: Confusing carton quantity with MOQ
"4 rolls per carton" does not mean MOQ is 4 rolls. A supplier may require 50 cartons as the minimum order. Carton quantity and MOQ are separate data points.
Mistake 2: Using net weight for freight calculations
Air and sea carriers charge by gross weight or volumetric weight. Using net weight under-estimates your shipping cost by 5–15% depending on packaging density.
Mistake 3: Assuming one HS code fits all markets
The same DTF film may be classified under different HS subheadings in different destination countries. Always confirm with your customs broker before shipping.
Mistake 4: Ignoring CBM when comparing unit prices
A lower per-kg price on powder becomes irrelevant if the carton CBM is 30% larger than a competitor's, because fewer cartons fit per container, raising your per-unit shipping cost.
How to request a quote with complete packing data
When contacting a DTF consumables supplier, ask for these fields to be included in every line item:
- Carton dimensions (length × width × height in metres or cm)
- CBM per carton
- Gross weight per carton
- Carton quantity (units/ctn, rolls/ctn, or kg/ctn)
- HS code reference
- Sample policy and sample freight terms
- MOQ status (exact quantity or "confirmed per order")
- Lead time status (exact days or "depends on product and order quantity")
Submit an RFQ to ChromaBind with your target SKUs, monthly volume, and destination port — we will respond with per-SKU packing data and a confirmed lead time estimate. Free sample support is available for qualified buyers.