DTG, screen print, transfer: how the three differ

Three common ways to put a graphic on a t-shirt, and they behave differently after ten washes.

Screen printing

Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per colour. Excellent saturation and durability at volume, but setup cost per colour means it only makes sense for large runs of the same design. Not viable for made-to-order single pieces.

DTG

Direct-to-garment printing sprays water-based pigment into the fibres, like an inkjet printer for cloth. No setup cost, so one shirt is economic. The print sits in the fabric rather than on top of it, which is why it feels soft. We print this way.

Transfers and vinyl

Heat-pressed film sits on the surface. It is cheap and fast, and it is also the method most likely to crack, peel or feel stiff across a large area.

What this means for you

A DTG print will soften slightly with washing — that is the ink settling, not wear. It will not crack like a transfer unless it is washed hot or tumble dried.

Common questions

Why do you print DTG instead of screen printing?

Screen printing needs one screen per colour and a large run. DTG has no setup cost, so a single made-to-order shirt is economic.

Does DTG fade?

It softens slightly with washing but does not crack like a transfer unless washed hot or tumble dried.