DTG vs Screen Printing: Which Is Best for Your Designs?
Two of the most popular ways to print custom clothing are DTG (direct-to-garment) and screen printing. Both produce great results, but they suit different designs and order sizes. Here is how to choose.
What is DTG printing?
DTG printing works like an inkjet printer for fabric, spraying the design straight onto the garment. It reproduces full colour, fine detail and photographic artwork with no setup, which makes it perfect for one-offs and small runs.
What is screen printing?
Screen printing pushes thick ink through a stencil (screen), one colour at a time. Setting up screens takes time, but once running it is fast, hard-wearing and cheaper per unit at higher volumes.
DTG vs screen printing at a glance
- Detail & colour: DTG wins for photos, gradients and many colours. Screen printing is best for bold, few-colour designs.
- Minimum order: DTG has no minimum – ideal for print on demand. Screen printing pays off on bulk runs.
- Durability: Both last well; screen prints have a slight edge on heavy use.
- Feel: DTG sits soft in the fabric; screen print has a classic textured finish.
Which should you choose?
For a print-on-demand store selling varied designs in small quantities, DTG is usually the answer. For large, simple-design orders – events, teams, merch drops – screen printing is more economical. Printing on mixed fabrics like polyester? Consider DTF transfers instead.
Not sure which fits your range? See all MerchPanda printing services or browse our blank t-shirts to get started.