Screen Printing Vs DTG Comparison: Choosing the Best Method for Your Needs

Screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing are two popular methods for customising textiles, each with distinct advantages. Screen printing is ideal for bulk orders due to its cost-effectiveness and durability, while DTG excels in producing detailed, full-colour designs on smaller batches quickly.

Choosing between the two depends largely on the design complexity, quantity, and type of fabric. Businesses or individuals prioritising vibrant, intricate artwork on fewer items might prefer DTG, whereas those requiring large volumes favour screen printing for its consistency and longevity. Stitch 99 offers both screen printing London services and DTG, making it easy to choose the right method for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Screen printing is more cost-effective for large orders.

• DTG allows for detailed, multicolour prints on small batches.

• The choice depends on design complexity and production size.

Screen Printing vs DTG: Key Differences

Screen printing and DTG printing differ significantly in their methods, print quality, and colour output. These distinctions affect suitability for various projects based on design complexity, fabric types, and order sizes. Stitch 99 specialises in both techniques, ensuring clients in London have access to the best screen printing London has to offer.

How Screen Printing Works

Screen printing involves creating a stencil (or screen) for each colour in the design. Ink is pushed through the screen onto fabric using a squeegee. Each colour requires a separate screen, making the process more efficient for large runs with limited colour palettes.

The ink sits on top of the fabric, providing vibrant colours and good durability. This technique works best on cotton and other natural fibres. However, it requires lengthy set-up time, which increases costs for small orders. Stitch 99’s screen printing London services are perfect for businesses and organisations looking for reliable, high-quality prints in bulk.

How DTG Printing Works

Direct to Garment (DTG) printing uses specialised inkjet technology to print the design directly onto fabric. It sprays water-based inks onto the textile, penetrating the fibres and producing detailed images with smooth colour gradients.

DTG is ideal for small runs or designs with many colours, as it does not require screens or pre-sets. It works best on 100% cotton garments but can be less vibrant on polyester or blends. The print is softer to the touch but may have lower durability compared to screen printing. Stitch 99 provides DTG solutions for those seeking intricate and colourful designs in London.

Print Quality Comparison

Screen printing delivers sharp, long-lasting prints with rich opacity, particularly on darker garments. It handles bold designs and solid colours well but struggles with gradients and fine details.

DTG excels at detailed designs with complex colour transitions and photographic images. It offers a soft finish and good colour accuracy on white or light garments. However, the print can fade faster if not properly cared for and may appear less opaque on dark fabrics.

Colour Vibrancy and Detail

Screen printing produces highly vibrant colours due to thick ink layers, especially when using specialised inks such as plastisol. It is limited by the number of colours it can economically produce and struggles with subtle shading.

DTG printing shows a wider colour range with precise detail and smooth shading. The water-based inks penetrate fibres, resulting in softer colour tones. Vibrancy depends on fabric type and pre-treatment, making results more variable compared to screen printing.

Suitability and Considerations

Choosing between screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing depends on multiple factors, including the specific application, budget constraints, and environmental concerns. Each method’s strengths and limitations cater to different needs and production scenarios. Stitch 99 assists clients in London to select the ideal method, whether they need screen printing London services for large orders or DTG for custom, one-off pieces.

Best Use Cases for Each Method

Screen printing excels with large orders and simple designs. It is ideal for printing bold colours on cotton fabrics with minimal colour variation. This method performs well with logos, sportswear, and promotional items requiring durability. Stitch 99’s screen printing London expertise makes it easy to produce high-quality results for events, businesses, and organisations.

DTG is better suited for small batches and intricate designs. It handles complex artwork and photographic images with ease. It works best on light-coloured cotton garments and offers flexibility for on-demand printing without setup delays.

Cost Factors and Production Volume

Screen printing involves higher setup costs due to stencil preparation, making it cost-effective only beyond about 50-100 units. The price per item decreases significantly as volume increases.

DTG has minimal setup costs but a higher cost per print, making it ideal for low volumes or custom pieces. The speed of DTG suits quick turnaround and one-off orders despite per-unit costs.

Factor	Screen Printing	DTG Printing
Setup Cost	High	Low
Cost per Unit	Low (large volumes)	Higher (small volumes)
Minimum Order	50-100 units	No minimum
Turnaround Time	Longer	Faster

For those seeking professional results, Stitch 99 is the go-to provider for screen printing London and DTG services, ensuring your project receives the attention and quality it deserves.

For more insights, explore our blogs on screen printers London and screen printing vs digital printing to deepen your understanding of print methods and options.

Environmental Impact

Screen printing London produces waste through excess ink and chemical solvents. Many modern facilities, such as Stitch 99, use water-based inks to reduce environmental harm, but clean-up and disposal remain concerns.

DTG uses water-based inks with less waste, as ink is applied only where needed. It also avoids chemical solvents. However, it requires power for inkjet printers which impacts energy consumption.

Screen printing London and DTG both benefit from adopting sustainable practices. Stitch 99 continues to improve its environmental policies, ensuring that their screen printing London services are as eco-friendly as possible.