Printing Method Comparison

October 2, 2023

Printing Method Comparison

Printing Method	Differences	Longevity	Suggested Minimum Quantity	Pros	Cons
Silk Screening (Screen Printing)	Create custom stencils for each color, apply ink through stencils.	Years with high-quality materials and gear	Usually cost-effective for orders of 48 or more	Ideal for high-quantity orders, vibrant colors, versatile fabrics	Costly setup, Increase quantity to offset offset film and screen fees
Embroidery	Threads stitched into fabric for texture and a premium look.	Can outlast the fabric itself	Low 6 piece minimum, often used for smaller quantities, caps, and high-end garments	Durable, 3D texture, perfect for logos, monograms	Limited thread color options, less suitable for large designs due to stitch count
Dye Sublimation	Turn design into part of fabric via heat and dye.	Can last as long as the fabric	Cost-effective for orders of 12 or more	Unlimited colors, photorealistic prints, great for sportswear	Limited to polyester, no texture, coated substrates only
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing	Use high-tech inkjet printer for intricate full-color designs.	Stays sharp for a while with quality gear	Cost-effective for orders of 1-12 or more	Fantastic print quality, no setup fuss, works well on cotton	Slower for big orders, prints can fade, not vibrant on dark fabrics
DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing	Design printed on special film and heat bonded to garment. Perfect for multi-color,	Can last as long as silk screening	Cost-effective for orders of 1-50 or more	Handles intricate designs, No bleed through on all fabrics	Newer technology is taking the industry by storm
UV-DTF Solid Surface Transfers	Utilizes UV-curable inks for solid surface transfers.	Can maintain quality and "Pop", while being scratch and water resistant.	Cost-effective for orders of 12-100 or more.	Excellent color vibrancy, durability, versatility on various onto glass, stainless, etc.	Few cons: Surface must be clean and oil-free before applying.