The short answer
Choose screen printing for 24 or more shirts with up to four or five spot colours. Choose DTG for small quantities, photographs, gradients or a different design on every shirt.
How each method works
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen, one screen per colour. DTG works like an inkjet printer, spraying water-based ink directly into the fabric.
Cost
Screen printing has a setup cost for each screen, then a low cost per shirt. DTG has no setup, but each shirt costs more to print. That is why the crossover point is usually around 24 to 48 shirts for a simple design.
Look and feel
Screen printing gives the brightest, most opaque colour, especially on dark shirts. DTG has a softer hand and handles fine detail and photos better.
Durability
A well cured screen print outlasts the shirt. DTG holds up well on cotton when washed inside out in cold water.
Not sure?
Send us your design and quantity. We will price both methods where it makes sense and recommend the cheaper one that still looks right.
