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DTG vs screen printing: which one to choose
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing works like an inkjet printer for clothing. It sprays water-based ink straight onto the garment, so full-color art and photos need no screens. Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen, one screen per color, and costs less per piece as the run grows. We do both.
- We do both
- DTG for full-color art
- Screen printing for bigger runs
How they compare
Both put your design on the garment. They differ in how the ink gets there.
| Compared | DTG printing | Screen printing |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A print head sprays water-based ink onto the garment, like an inkjet printer | Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one screen per color |
| Setup | No screens, so a new design needs no setup | A screen is made for each color before printing |
| Colors | Full color, gradients and photos | Best with a few bold colors, matched to your color codes |
| Fabrics | Cotton and high-cotton blends | Cotton, blends and polyester, with the right ink |
| Dark garments | Sprayed with a pretreatment first, then printed over a white base | Printed over a base layer of white ink |
| Feel | Soft. The ink soaks into the cotton. | Soft with water-based ink, a layer on top with thicker inks |
| Cost per piece | Changes little with the quantity, because there is no setup | Falls as the run grows, because each screen is made once |
| Best for | Full-color art, photos, many designs and small runs | Logos and bold graphics, and bigger or repeat runs |
What each print looks like
You see the print you choose on your sample before bulk.
How a DTG print is made
- Prepare the artwork. A high-resolution file, with a clear background around the design.
- Pretreat dark garments. A dark tee is sprayed with a pretreatment liquid where the print goes, then pressed dry, so the white ink has a surface to sit on.
- Load the garment. The tee is pulled flat over the printer's platen, the board that holds it in place.
- Print. On a dark tee, the printer lays down a white base first, then the colors on top. On a white tee, it prints the colors only.
- Cure the ink. A heat press sets the ink in the fabric.
- Check every piece. Each print is checked against your approved sample. Then each tee is folded and packed.
Pick by the artwork and the run
- Choose DTG for full-color art, photos and gradients, for many designs in small numbers, and for cotton tees and hoodies.
- Choose screen printing for logos and bold graphics in a few colors, for an exact color match, and for bigger or repeat runs.
- Mix them. Print full-color art on the front by DTG, and a one-color logo on the back by screen printing.
- Not sure? Send your artwork, the garment and the quantity. We will suggest one, and you see it on your sample before bulk.
Questions buyers ask
What is DTG printing?
DTG means direct-to-garment. A printer sprays water-based ink straight onto the garment, the way an inkjet printer prints on paper. It needs no screens, so it can print full-color art and photos.
Which is better, DTG or screen printing?
It depends on the artwork and the run. DTG suits full-color art, photos and small runs of many designs. Screen printing suits logos and bold graphics in a few colors, and bigger runs, where it costs less per piece.
Can DTG print on dark shirts?
Yes. A dark garment is sprayed with a pretreatment first. Then the printer lays down a white base and prints the colors on top.
Can DTG print on polyester?
DTG works best on cotton and high-cotton blends. For polyester sportswear, sublimation or heat transfer usually works better. Tell us the fabric, and we will suggest one.
Is DTG good for small orders?
Yes. DTG needs no screens, so a new design needs no setup. That makes it a good fit for small runs and for many designs.
Does a DTG print feel soft?
Yes. The ink soaks into the cotton instead of sitting on top, so the print feels soft and stays matte.
What is the minimum order?
Usually 25 pieces per style and color for clothing, with sizes mixed. Tell us what you are making and we will confirm.
Can I see the print before the full order?
Yes. We make one physical sample first, for $150 to $500 depending on the design, plus shipping. You see the print on your sample before we make the full order.
Your request is ready
Send it to us on WhatsApp, or copy it into an email to contact@sharknits.com.
Want to talk sooner? Book a 15-minute call on Google Meet.
What happens next
- We reply with questions and a quote.
- We make one sample for you to check.
- You approve it, and we make your order.
contact@sharknits.com · +1 647 501 5424
Sharknits is a custom clothing manufacturer for brands in the US, with factories in Lahore and Sialkot and a U.S. corporate office near Chicago.