DTG vs. Screen Printing: Choosing the Best Printing for Your Apparel Brand

When it comes to printing on t-shirts, hoodies, or any kind of custom apparel, the choice between DTG and screen printing can feel overwhelming. Should you go with the modern DTG printing process or stick to traditional apparel screen printing? What’s more cost-effective for small runs? And most importantly—which method gives your brand the professional look it deserves?

In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down DTG printing vs screen printing, compare benefits, costs, and quality, and help you decide the best option for your apparel brand.

What is Screen Printing?

Let’s start with the basics: what is screen printing?

Screen printing shirts (also known as silk screening) is a method where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil (screen) onto fabric. Each color in a design requires a separate screen, which makes it more labor-intensive but produces vibrant, long-lasting prints.

How does screen printing work?

• A stencil of your design is created on a mesh screen.
• Ink is spread across the screen and pressed through with a squeegee.
• The ink bonds with the fabric, creating bold, opaque designs.

The screen printing process is especially popular for bulk orders, team uniforms, and promotional apparel.

What is DTG Printing?

Now let’s answer another common question: what is DTG printing?

DTG printing (short for Direct to Garment printing) is a newer technology where specialized inkjet printers apply ink directly onto fabric. Think of it like a paper printer, but for t-shirts.

The DTG printing process:

• A garment is loaded into a DTG print machine.
• The printer sprays water-based ink directly onto the fibers.
• Heat is applied to cure the design, making it permanent.

Is DTG printing good quality? Yes! DTG excels at capturing detailed artwork, gradients, and photographic images that screen printing can’t easily replicate.

DTG vs Screen Printing: Key Differences

When it comes to DTG printing vs screen printing, here are the main factors to consider:

1. Print Quality & Detail

• DTG printing: Best for intricate designs, full-color images, and small details.
• Screen printing: Best for bold, simple graphics with few colors.

Question: Which printing method gives better quality—screen printing vs digital printing?
For bold, solid designs, screen printing wins. For photographic, multi-color designs, direct to garment printing offers superior detail.

2. Durability

• Screen printing shirts are extremely durable because thick ink layers bond with fabric. They last through many washes.
• Custom DTG printing is durable too but may fade faster if not properly pre-treated or washed frequently.

3. Color Range

• Screen printing: Limited by number of screens; best for 1–6 color designs.
• DTG screen printing: Unlimited colors with smooth gradients. Perfect for logos, artwork, or photo prints.

4. Order Size & Cost

• Screen printing services are cost-effective for large orders due to setup costs.
• DTG printing services are ideal for small runs, one-off designs, or on-demand printing.

Is DTG printing more expensive than screen printing?
For bulk, screen printing is cheaper. For small batches or individual prints, DTG is more cost-efficient.

5. Environmental Impact

• Screen printing process uses more ink and chemicals (for cleaning screens).
• DTG printing uses water-based inks and is generally more eco-friendly for short runs.

DTG Printing vs Screen Printing: Which is Best for Your Apparel Brand?

The right choice depends on your needs:

• Choose DTG printing if you’re starting a small apparel brand, selling online, or offering customized one-off designs.
• Choose screen printing if you need thousands of custom screen printing shirts with bold logos or text at a lower per-unit cost.

What type of printing is best for starting a clothing brand?
 DTG printing is best for new apparel brands with small runs, while screen printing suits established brands doing bulk.

Advantages of DTG Printing

• Unlimited colors and gradients.
• Great for photographic designs.
• No setup costs—ideal for small batches.
• Quick turnaround for custom DTG printing.

Advantages of Screen Printing

• Bold, vibrant colors that last years.
• Cost-effective for bulk orders.
• Works on a variety of materials (cotton, blends, polyester).
• Established screen printing services are widely available.

Limitations of Each Method

• DTG printing limitations: Works best on 100% cotton, may fade over time, slower for bulk orders.
• Screen printing limitations: Higher setup costs, limited detail, not cost-effective for small orders.

Screen Printing vs Digital Printing: A Growing Debate

Some brands wonder: Is screen printing vs digital printing the future of apparel?

The answer? Both will coexist. Screen printing services will remain popular for bulk orders, while digital DTG printing dominates custom, fast-fashion, and e-commerce apparel.

Final Thoughts: DTG vs Screen Printing

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer in the DTG vs screen printing debate. Instead, it comes down to your apparel brand’s size, design style, and budget.

• Need fast, detailed, one-off designs? Go with direct to garment printing.
• Need bold, durable designs for bulk orders? Stick to custom screen printing.

By understanding both methods, you’ll be able to scale your brand smartly, offering high-quality prints that customers love.

FAQs 

Q1: What is DTG printing and how does it work?
 DTG, or direct to garment printing, uses inkjet technology to print designs directly onto fabric. The DTG printing process is great for detailed artwork and small runs.

Q2: What is screen printing?
 Screen printing shirts uses stencils and ink pushed through mesh screens. It’s ideal for bold, simple designs and large bulk orders.

Q3: Which lasts longer, DTG or screen printing?
 Apparel screen printing is more durable over multiple washes. DTG is long-lasting too, but may fade slightly faster if not cared for properly.

Q4: Is DTG printing good quality?
 Yes, custom DTG printing produces high-resolution, detailed prints with vibrant colors. It’s especially good for photos and complex designs.

Q5: When should I choose DTG vs screen printing?
 Choose DTG printing services for small, detailed, or custom runs. Choose screen printing services for large batches, uniforms, or bold logo designs.