DTG Print vs Screen Print Comparison for Quality and Cost Efficiency

When deciding between DTG print and screen print, it largely depends on the project’s complexity and volume. DTG print offers greater detail and colour variety for small, intricate designs, while screen printing excels at producing large quantities with bold, durable colours. Both methods have specific strengths that suit different needs. Stitch 99 offers both DTG printing and screen printing services to cater to a wide range of customer requirements.

DTG printing uses a specialised inkjet printer to apply ink directly onto fabric, making it ideal for custom or short-run orders. Screen printing, on the other hand, involves creating stencils and pushing ink through them, which becomes more cost-effective with bigger batches.

Key Takeaways

• DTG printing is best for detailed, small-run designs with many colours.

• Screen printing costs less for mass production and delivers strong, lasting prints.

• The choice depends on order size, design complexity, and budget priorities.

DTG Print vs Screen Print: Core Differences

DTG and screen printing differ significantly in their approach to producing designs on fabric. Their processes, material suitability, handling of complex designs, and colour output all affect which method is better suited for specific needs. Stitch 99 helps customers navigate these differences for the best results.

Printing Process Explained

DTG (Direct to Garment) printing uses specialised inkjet technology to spray water-based ink directly onto fabric. This method allows immediate printing without creating screens or stencils, which reduces setup time. It operates like a standard printer but for clothing.

Screen printing involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto fabric, with different screens for each colour. This process requires creating separate stencils for every colour layer and is more labour-intensive initially. It is well-established and better for bulk orders.

Material Compatibility

DTG printing works best on 100% cotton fabrics because water-based inks absorb well, ensuring durability and clarity. It can struggle with polyester or blended fabrics, often producing less vibrant outcomes. Pretreatment is often required to optimise ink adherence.

Screen printing is versatile across various fabric types, including cotton, polyester, and blends. Plastisol inks used in screen printing bind well to synthetic fibres, which makes it a preferred choice for sportswear and synthetic garments.

Design Complexity Handling

DTG printing excels in printing complex, multi-coloured, or photographic designs. It prints millions of colours directly, handling gradients and fine details easily. This makes it ideal for small batches with intricate artwork, a service Stitch 99 frequently provides.

Screen printing is more limited to simpler designs with fewer colours to keep the process feasible. Each colour requires a separate screen, increasing cost and time with complexity. However, it produces sharp, solid colours perfect for bold, graphic prints.

Colour Accuracy and Vibrancy

Screen printing often produces more vibrant and opaque colours due to thicker ink layers. It is better suited for designs that require colour consistency and high opacity on darker fabrics.

DTG printing offers high detail and a wide colour range but can lack the vibrancy and opacity of screen printing, especially on dark garments. It provides softer prints that blend into fabric.

Cost, Production, and Application Considerations

Different methods affect costs, speed, and suitability depending on the order size and product requirements. Stitch 99 can help you balance production efficiency against material expenses and final print quality.

Production Speed and Order Volume

Screen printing excels in high-volume orders due to rapid printing once screens are set up. It is also highly cost-effective for bulk runs, especially above 50 units.

DTG printing is slower per item because it prints each garment individually. It suits small to medium orders or custom designs without setup time.

Screen printing requires preparation time to create screens, making it inefficient for small jobs. DTG printing eliminates setup but is limited by slower throughput, typically 20-40 shirts per hour on advanced machines.

Cost Factors for Small and Large Runs

For small runs or one-off prints, DTG printing is generally cheaper because it has no screen setup fees. It charges primarily by print size and colour complexity, making it flexible.

Screen printing has fixed costs like screens and setup, raising initial expenses but lowers per-unit cost in large volumes. For runs above 100 shirts, screen printing becomes more economical.

Ink costs differ: water-based DTG printing inks are more costly, while plastisol inks used in screen printing are cheaper and suited for mass production.

Aspect	DTG Printing	Screen Printing
Setup Cost	Low	High
Cost per Unit (small)	Moderate	High
Cost per Unit (large)	Higher	Low
Suitable Volume	Small to medium	Medium to large

Durability and Longevity

Screen printing inks penetrate fabric fibres deeply and often last longer through washes. Plastisol inks resist fading, cracking, and washing better than most DTG printing inks.

DTG printing can fade faster and crack with frequent washing or improper care. They perform best on 100% cotton garments with pre-treatment for durability.

For long-term use or apparel exposed to heavy washing, screen printing generally provides higher longevity. DTG printing longevity improves with advances in ink technology but still lags behind screen printing.

Stitch 99 offers expert advice on whether DTG printing or screen printing is the right choice for your next custom apparel project. Whether you need a small batch of intricate designs or a large run of bold prints, Stitch 99 ensures quality and cost efficiency with every order.

Want to explore more? Read our in-depth guides on DTG printing near me to find trusted local services and DTG printing to understand the process and benefits.

Environmental Impact

DTG printing uses water-based inks, which are less toxic and produce less waste, making it a more eco-friendly option for small runs. Stitch 99 utilizes dtg printing to reduce environmental impact for custom orders.

Screen printing involves plastisol inks containing PVC and requires water and chemical use for screen cleaning. This can generate more environmental waste.

Screen printing’s higher setup waste contrasts with DTG printing’s minimal setup but increased electricity use at Stitch 99.

Stitch 99 recommends DTG printing for those looking to minimize ink and chemical waste, especially for small to medium orders. By choosing DTG printing at Stitch 99, customers can support greener printing practices.