Screen Printing vs DTG Printing

Screen printing generally lasts longer. The ink sits on top of the fabric and creates a thick, durable layer that can withstand 50+ washes without significant fading. DTG ink is absorbed into the fibers, which gives a softer feel but may fade slightly faster after 30-50 washes. Both methods produce long-lasting results when properly cured.

It depends on quantity. DTG is cheaper for small orders (under 24 pieces) because there are no setup fees. Screen printing becomes significantly cheaper per piece at higher quantities because the setup cost is spread across more shirts. The crossover point is typically around 24-50 pieces.

Screen printing is not ideal for photographs because each color requires a separate screen. A process called simulated process printing can reproduce photos using 6-8 screens, but it is expensive and complex. DTG is the better choice for photographic or highly detailed full-color artwork.

Standard DTG printing works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends (at least 50% cotton). Polyester and performance fabrics require special pretreatment and may not hold DTG ink well. For polyester, we recommend screen printing or DTF (direct-to-film) printing instead.

Most screen printing orders use 1-4 colors. Each additional color adds a screen setup fee ($25/screen). We can print up to 8 colors, but beyond 4 colors, DTG often becomes more cost-effective because it prints unlimited colors at no extra charge.

DTG printing has a softer hand feel because the water-based ink is absorbed directly into the cotton fibers. Screen printing sits on top of the fabric and has a slightly raised texture. However, we use discharge and water-based screen printing inks that produce a very soft feel on light-colored garments.

Yes! Many customers use screen printing for the front (a simple logo) and DTG for the back (a detailed, full-color design). We can also use screen printing for the bulk order and DTG for a small run of specialty pieces. Contact us to discuss a hybrid approach.

Turnaround for both methods depends on order size, design complexity, and our current production schedule. DTG is typically faster than screen printing for small orders since there are no screens to set up. Rush options may be available case-by-case for both methods.