AlbaChem® DFR Direct to Film Remover — 20 oz
Albatross
AlbaChem® DFR Direct to Film Remover (Item 2020, 20 fl. oz) — the low-odor, water-soluble, non-hazardous solvent purpose-built for removing DTF transfers from garments. Where AlbaChem VLR is the cotton-only HTV specialist, DFR is the all-textile DTF specialist — safe on polyester, mild odor, water-rinse cleanup. Strong solvent blend attacks the DTF binder so misprinted transfers peel or scrape off cleanly. Ships from San Antonio, TX with FREE SHIPPING on orders over $200 — and unlike VLR, DFR ships without flammable-liquid restrictions.
$28.99
Description
The Low-Odor, Water-Soluble, Polyester-Safe DTF Remover
The low-odor, water-soluble, non-hazardous DTF transfer remover purpose-built for Direct-to-Film production shops. Removes DTF graphics from all textile types — including polyester and performance blends where VLR can’t go. Mild solvent odor, water-rinse cleanup, ships ground without hazmat fees.
Why DTF Shops Choose DFR Over VLR
DFR ships as standard parcel — no flammable-liquid restrictions, no hazmat surcharges, no Limited Quantity Exemption paperwork. Cleaner regulatory profile than VLR or any chlorinated competitor.
After application, rinse the garment with water or run it through a wash cycle. No oily residue, no chemical buildup, no second-pass cleanup required. Garment is ready for reprinting after drying.
Mild solvent scent vs VLR’s strong odor. Comfortable to use in DTF production lines, classrooms, home shops, and any environment with limited ventilation.
The killer feature. DFR works on 100% polyester jerseys, performance fabrics, cotton, blends, and tri-blends. VLR can’t touch polyester — DFR can.
Specifically formulated to dissolve the hot-melt polyamide adhesive used in Direct-to-Film transfers. VLR’s chemistry was designed for HTV adhesives — different problem, different solution.
Same precision-pour Yorker spout as VLR — puts solvent exactly where you need it. Apply a small puddle to the back of the print area, wait 1-5 minutes, peel/scrape.
Contains no California Prop 65 listed ingredients. No methylene chloride, no perchloroethylene, no trichloroethylene. Sellable and usable in all 50 US states.
Manufactured by Albatross USA, Inc. (Long Island City, NY) — Albatross has supplied the apparel decoration industry with cleaning chemistries since 1932. DFR is the newest addition to their catalog, built in response to the DTF boom.
What’s in the Bottle
Single 20-ounce HDPE bottle with Yorker-type precision-pour spout. Same trusted applicator used on every AlbaChem product.
Factory-sealed cap ensures the solvent hasn’t evaporated or been tampered with in transit. Check the seal before first use.
QC tested by Albatross USA at their Long Island City, NY facility. Same manufacturer that’s supplied the apparel industry’s chemistries since 1932.
Downloadable from this product page in English and Spanish. View DFR SDS (English).
Full application instructions, package data, shipping classifications, and chemical properties. View DFR TDS (English).
See DFR In Action — Official Demonstration
Official AlbaChem demonstration showing DFR removing a DTF transfer from a polyester garment. Note the application technique (apply through the back), the longer dwell time (1-5 minutes vs VLR’s 10-15 seconds), and the water-rinse cleanup step at the end.
Watch the second AlbaChem demonstration video →
Step-by-Step: How to Use DFR
DFR removal takes about 5-10 minutes per garment including the water-rinse step. Slower than VLR but gentler — and the only safe option for polyester. Follow Albatross’s official Technical Data Sheet procedure:
Lay the garment flat with the DTF print facing up. Have water ready for rinsing (sink, spray bottle, or wash basin). DFR is low-odor but light ventilation is still good practice. Wear nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean.
Apply a small drop to an inside seam or hem. Wait 30 seconds, then rub with a white rag. Verify the fabric doesn’t weaken, fade, or transfer dye before treating the visible print area.
Turn the garment inside-out. Using the Yorker spout, apply DFR to the back side of the fabric directly beneath the DTF print. Saturate the area generously — DTF binder takes more solvent than HTV adhesive.
Let DFR penetrate the DTF binder. For thick or fully-cured transfers, wait the full 5 minutes — Albatross recommends 3 minutes minimum for best results. This longer dwell time is the key difference from VLR’s 10-15 second wait.
Flip the garment right-side-out. Gently peel the DTF transfer in one piece if possible. For tight detail or stubborn spots, use a plastic scraper or the dull edge of a credit card. If needed, drip more DFR directly on top of the print and continue.
Apply additional DFR to a clean terrycloth or other textured cloth. Wipe the print area to lift any remaining DTF binder. Terrycloth’s texture works better than smooth cotton for this step.
Run the area under water to flush out remaining DFR (it’s water-soluble — this is required, not optional). For best results, send the garment through a complete wash cycle to fully rinse the solvent and any released DTF particles.
Tumble dry or air-dry. For faster turnaround, heat press the area for 10-15 seconds to drive off remaining moisture. Inspect for any residual DTF adhesive — repeat the process if needed. Once fully dry, the garment is ready for reprinting.
Unlike VLR which evaporates completely on its own, DFR is water-soluble and meant to be rinsed out. Skipping the rinse leaves a small amount of solvent residue in the fabric — not dangerous, but it can affect re-press adhesion. A quick rinse or wash cycle solves it.
What DFR Removes (and What It Doesn’t)
DFR was engineered specifically to dissolve DTF transfer binder chemistry — the hot-melt polyamide adhesive that holds DTF graphics to fabric. It’s also effective on most other heat-applied transfers, with the key advantage of working safely on synthetic fibers where VLR fails. Here’s the honest compatibility breakdown:
| Material Type | DFR Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DTF Transfers (Direct-to-Film) | Excellent | The primary purpose. Breaks down DTF’s hot-melt polyamide binder, allowing the entire transfer to peel away cleanly. |
| DTG Prints (white underbase residue) | Very good | Lifts DTG pretreatment and underbase residue. Useful for reclaiming garments with misprinted DTG underbases. |
| Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) | Good | Works on most HTV adhesives. VLR is faster on cotton HTV, but DFR is the better choice when polyester is involved. |
| EasySubli HTV | Good | Removes EasySubli from cotton and poly blends. Slower than VLR on cotton but safer on poly. |
| Sublimation transfers (paper to fabric) | Very good | Lifts unwanted sublimation transfer adhesive (the carrier residue, not the dye itself). |
| Plastisol transfer paper residue | Good | Cleans up plastisol-transfer adhesive that didn’t release cleanly. |
| DTF on Polyester Jerseys | Excellent | DFR’s standout use case. Performance jerseys (basketball, soccer, baseball) where VLR would damage the fabric. |
| Adhesive Pre-Coat & Powder Residue | Good | Cleans up DTF powder/adhesive that transferred off-target during pressing. |
| Cured Plastisol Screen Print Ink | Not effective | DFR does not dissolve cured plastisol. Use a dedicated plastisol spot remover (different chemistry). |
| Sublimation Dye (in fabric) | Not effective | Once dye is sublimated into polyester fibers, no chemical removes it. The fiber IS the print. |
| Discharge Ink | Not effective | Discharge dyes the fabric — bleached fibers can’t be ‘un-bleached.’ Reclaim by re-dyeing. |
| Embroidery | Not applicable | Stitches are mechanical, not chemical. Use a stitch eraser tool to remove embroidery. |
Fabric Compatibility Chart
DFR’s poly-safe formulation is its biggest advantage over VLR. If your production includes any polyester garments, performance apparel, sports jerseys, or poly-blend tees, DFR is the right remover. For pure cotton work, either remover works — but DFR is gentler on color-sensitive fabrics:
| Fabric Type | DFR Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | Excellent | DFR works on cotton, though VLR is faster for cotton-only HTV jobs. |
| Cotton/poly blends | Excellent | DFR’s sweet spot — handles all common 50/50, 60/40, 65/35 blends with no fiber damage concerns. |
| 100% Polyester (jerseys, athletic) | Excellent | DFR’s killer feature — safe on polyester where VLR would weaken or damage fibers. Critical for sports apparel. |
| Tri-blend (cotton/poly/rayon) | Very good | Generally safe. Rayon is more sensitive than poly — apply quickly, rinse promptly. |
| Performance fabrics & spandex | Good with caution | Spandex/elastane is solvent-sensitive. DFR is safer than VLR but still test first. Apply quickly, don’t let dwell. |
| 100% Rayon & viscose | Test first | Rayon weakens in most solvents. DFR is lower-odor and water-soluble, but always test inconspicuous area first. |
| Acetate & triacetate | Avoid | Acetate is highly solvent-sensitive. Likely to damage the fabric even with DFR’s milder formula. |
| Nylon | Test first | Some nylons tolerate DFR fine, others discolor. Always test before treating a customer’s garment. |
| Denim | Excellent | Heavy cotton — DFR works well. Slight wet area until evaporation, fully reversible. |
| Linen & hemp | Excellent | Natural fibers tolerate DFR well. Standard cotton-style application. |
Polyester jerseys vary widely in fiber treatment and dye chemistry. Apply a small drop of DFR to an inside seam or hem of the customer’s specific garment, wait 30 seconds, then rub with a white rag. If the fabric weakens, fades, or transfers color, abort and try a different reclamation approach.
Who Uses DFR — Production Scenarios
DFR was developed in response to the DTF explosion of 2020-2022. As DTF transfer production scaled up, shops needed a reclamation chemistry that worked on DTF binder AND wouldn’t damage the polyester garments DTF is most often pressed onto. AlbaChem built DFR to fill that exact gap. If you do any of this work, DFR earns its place in your shop:
DFR vs VLR — Which AlbaChem Remover Should You Buy?
Both products are made by Albatross USA and ship in identical 20 oz Yorker bottles. They look similar on the shelf. But they’re engineered for different jobs, different fabrics, and different shop environments. Picking the right one matters:
| Specification | ★ AlbaChem DFR (This Product — Item 2020) | AlbaChem VLR (Vinyl Letter Remover — Item 1020) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | DTF transfers (Direct-to-Film) | HTV (heat transfer vinyl) letters & designs |
| Hazmat Classification | ★ NON-HAZARDOUS | Flammable Liquid Cat. 2 (Limited Qty Exempt) |
| Solubility | Water soluble (rinse with water) | Organic solvent (evaporates, doesn’t rinse) |
| Odor Level | ★ Low odor (mild solvent scent) | Strong (use ventilation) |
| Polyester / Performance Fabrics | ★ Safe on all textiles incl. polyester | NOT RECOMMENDED on polyester/synthetics |
| Cotton Performance | Excellent | Excellent (slightly faster) |
| Wait Time | 1-5 minutes (3 min optimal) | 10-15 seconds (faster on cotton HTV) |
| Cleanup | Water rinse + wash cycle | Evaporates — no rinse needed |
| VOC Content | 50% | Higher (flammable solvent) |
| HAP / Ozone-Depleting / SARA 313 | None / None / None | None / None / None |
| Container | 20 oz Yorker spout | 20 oz Yorker spout |
| Typical Market Price | ~$25-$33 (higher — premium formula) | ~$17-$22 |
| When to Pick This One | DTF shops, polyester production, sports jerseys, low-ventilation workspaces | HTV-heavy shops, 100% cotton work, fastest possible reclamation |
If your production is purely cotton HTV, get VLR — it’s cheaper and faster. If you do any DTF, polyester, or performance apparel, you need DFR. If you do both (most shops), buy a bottle of each. They live in the same parts bin and cover every reclamation scenario between them. Compare and shop both in the AlbaChem remover category.
The Math: How Many Garments Does One Bottle Save?
A 20 oz bottle of DFR contains 591 mL of solvent. DTF reclamation uses more solvent per job than HTV (DTF binder is thicker and the dwell time is longer) — figure roughly 10-15 mL per garment. Conservatively, one bottle reclaims 40-60 misprinted DTF transfers.
| Scenario | Cost Without DFR | Cost With DFR |
|---|---|---|
| Crooked DTF transfer on a $35 polyester jersey | $35 jersey + reprint + transfer = ~$45 loss | ~$0.55 DFR + 8 minutes labor |
| Misaligned name on team basketball jersey | $50 jersey + delayed delivery + customer complaint | ~$0.55 + re-press in 10 minutes |
| Box of 24 misprinted DTF polos | $15 × 24 = $360 in seconds | ~$13 DFR (~half a bottle) + 3 hours |
| Custom event tee with wrong date (DTF) | $20 garment + reorder + brand damage | ~$0.55 + 8 minutes |
| Bottom line | A single 20 oz bottle of DFR pays for itself the first time you save one $35 polyester jersey. After that, every reclaimed garment is pure margin recovered. | |
Sports/team apparel decorators work primarily with expensive polyester jerseys ($30-$80 each) instead of $5-$10 cotton tees. A single ruined jersey is several times the cost of a cotton seconds — meaning DFR’s per-garment savings are larger. Add the fact that VLR cannot safely treat polyester (VLR would damage the fabric), and DFR becomes the only safe reclamation chemistry for this category.
Safety, Handling & Storage
DFR is classified as NON-HAZARDOUS by Albatross — a major advantage over VLR’s Flammable Liquid Category 2 rating. It’s still an industrial solvent and deserves basic care, but it’s substantially safer to store, handle, and ship. Always read the full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before first use.
- Not classified as flammable liquid
- No Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP)
- No Ozone-Depleting Substances
- No SARA 313 listed chemicals
- VOC content: 50% (still ventilate well)
- Light ventilation recommended (open window or fan)
- Nitrile gloves recommended for extended use
- Safety glasses for splash protection
- Low-odor formula tolerated by most operators
- Wash hands after use
- Store in original Yorker bottle, cap tight
- Cool, dry, well-ventilated area (40-95°F)
- Keep out of direct sunlight
- Away from food & drink
- Shelf life: 24+ months unopened
- Eye contact: Rinse with water for several minutes
- Skin contact: Wash with soap & water
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air (unlikely with low-odor formula)
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; call Poison Control
- Consult SDS for full first aid details
DFR’s non-hazardous classification means it ships as standard parcel — no Limited Quantity Exemption paperwork, no flammable-liquid markings, no air freight restrictions. VLR ships ground-only under 49 CFR 173.150 Limited Quantity Exemption. DFR has none of those restrictions. International orders are also simpler with DFR (still verify your destination country’s specific requirements). Contains no chlorinated solvents (no methylene chloride, no PCE, no TCE) and no California Prop 65 listed ingredients.
Pair DFR With the Right Accessories
DFR is a focused tool — but a complete DTF reclamation station also needs supporting items. Stock these alongside your DFR bottle for a complete workflow:
Technical Documentation
Technical Specifications
Product Identification
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | AlbaChem® DFR Direct to Film Remover |
| Manufacturer | Albatross USA, Inc. (Long Island City, NY) |
| Manufacturer Item Number | 2020 |
| RCS SKU | ALB-2020 DFR |
| Product Category | Textile cleaning solvent / DTF reclamation chemical |
| Country of Manufacture | United States (made in USA) |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Form | Liquid solvent |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Odor | Mild solvent — low odor formulation |
| Solubility in Water | Yes — fully water soluble |
| VOC Content | 50% |
| Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) | None |
| Ozone-Depleting Substances | None |
| SARA 313 Chemicals | None |
| Chlorinated Solvents | None — no methylene chloride, no PCE, no TCE |
| California Proposition 65 | Contains no Prop 65 listed ingredients |
| Hazmat Classification | NON-HAZARDOUS — ships as standard parcel |
| Ingredient Disclosure | Trade secret (Albatross proprietary blend) |
Application Specifications
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Apply through fabric underside via Yorker spout, beneath the print area |
| Dwell Time | 1-5 minutes (3 minutes optimal per Albatross TDS) |
| Cleanup Method | Water rinse + standard wash cycle (DFR is water-soluble) |
| Drying | Air dry or tumble dry. Heat press accelerates drying (10-15 seconds) |
| Ready for Reprint | When fabric is completely dry — typically 15-30 minutes after wash |
| Solvent Per Garment (avg) | 10-15 mL — bottle reclaims approximately 40-60 garments |
Packaging & Shipping
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Container Size | 20 fl. oz (591 mL) |
| Container Type | HDPE bottle with Yorker-style precision-pour spout |
| Case Pack | 12 bottles per case (case pricing available) |
| Case Weight | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) |
| DOT Shipping Classification | Non-Hazardous — no special shipping markings required |
| Hazmat Surcharge? | No — ships standard ground rates within continental US |
| Air Shipping? | Eligible — DFR’s non-hazmat status allows air freight (verify with carrier) |
| International Shipping? | Easier than VLR — non-hazmat classification simplifies customs. Contact us for quotes. |
Storage & Shelf Life
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | 40°F – 95°F / 5°C – 35°C ideal |
| Shelf Life (unopened) | 24+ months in original sealed bottle |
| Shelf Life (opened) | 12 months — keep cap tight when not in use |
| Storage Location | Cool, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Direct Sunlight | Avoid — keep bottle in shade or original carton |
| Freezing Tolerance | Avoid freezing — solvent properties may change after freeze/thaw |
Compatibility Summary
| Item | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Materials Removed | DTF transfers, DTG underbase residue, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), sublimation transfer carrier residue, plastisol transfer adhesive residue |
| Compatible Fabrics | 100% cotton, 100% polyester, cotton-blend, tri-blend, performance fabrics, denim, linen, hemp |
| Test Before Using On | Rayon, nylon, spandex/elastane, acetate, dyed silks — apply small test drop first |
| Cannot Remove | Cured plastisol ink, sublimation dye in polyester fibers, discharge dye, embroidery stitches |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
| Document | Link |
|---|---|
| Technical Data Sheet (English) | Download DFR TDS (PDF) |
| Safety Data Sheet (English) | Download DFR SDS (PDF) |
| Hoja Técnica (Español) | Download DFR TDS Español (PDF) |
| Hoja de Seguridad (Español) | Download DFR SDS Español (PDF) |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
You May Also Like
Related products
-
Vastex PTF-100 DTF Powder Applicator – Automated Powder-To-Film System for Consistent, Clean DTF Transfers – FREE SHIPPING
$2,385.00 -
STS Inks TPU Black DTF Powder – 1kg Bag – Premium Polyurethane Adhesive for Dark Garments
$70.00 -
STS Inks 24″ DTF Film – Instant Hot or Cold Peel, Double-Sided Matte Direct-to-Film Transfer Roll
$213.21 -
STS Inks Direct to Transfer (DTF) Film Ink for Epson Printheads – 1 Liter CMYK / 900ml White
Price range: $34.29 through $892.00
