How to Choose the Best Printing Method for Your Custom T-Shirts 

Which t-shirt printing method is best? This is a question we get asked a lot at QTCo.  With so many opinions out there and different options to choose from, it can get confusing.  We know our customers want the best result possible for their custom apparel, so we thought it wise to break it down for you. Knowledge is power, so with the right information in front of you, you will be able to choose for yourself!

The Most Popular T-Shirt Printing Types

Here at QTCo, we have three different printing methods for your custom t-shirts and promo merchandise – screen printing, direct to garment printing (DTG) and direct to film printing (DTF).

Why offer all three t-shirt printing methods, you may wonder?  It’s simple, all three print techniques have their advantages, offering something unique.  So, whilst one can be a great choice for one product or design, it may not be for another project.  Having this range of in-house print options, helps us offer customers the perfect print finish on any of their custom apparel merch.   

Screen Printing–Ideal for Bulk Orders and Vibrant Colours

Let’s start with screen printing. We have been screen-printing in-house since the 90s!  Over the years, we have used many manual carousels, which require more grunt work from our screen printers.  Using these machines means they have to manually squeegee the ink through the woven screen on to the fabric, changing screens for each ink colour change.  When screen printing, the ink doesn’t soak into the garment, instead it sits on top of the fabric.   

Over the last decade, we have added automatic machines.  Today, we have our Cyclone, an automatic textile screen printing press, that like the name suggests, ensures high-speed printing, whilst still running with pinpoint accuracy. 

Screen printing is a technical skill and involves more set up at the start.  However, once screens are in place, our team can produce high quality prints at a rapid pace.  With each job, the set-up time takes as much for 1000 tees, as it does for 10 tees, so screen printing definitely lends itself to bulk orders.  This way, the cost involved in your set-up is divided amongst the total units you are ordering.  Like us, most printers won’t take on screen printing jobs unless they meet a minimum quantity.   

Advantages of Screen Printing

Screen printing also allows us to colour match more accurately to logo colours.  We have the ability with our water-based inks to mix them to match PMS colours, whereas in digital printing, a PMS match is not possible (although, we are seeing the colour gamut in DTG printing consistently improving with the latest technology we invest in).  Screen printing produces vibrant colours, and the print will feel soft and last longer than some of the other print methods. 

When to Choose Screen Printing

So, if you need a larger run of custom tees printed with the same design across numerous sizes, screen printing is definitely the obvious choice, not only for longevity, but for cost-effectiveness.

Direct to Garment (DTG) Printing–High Detail and On-Demand Customisation

Direct to Garment (DTG) printing has really evolved over the past decade.  With customers pushing for smaller production runs and wanting to minimise waste on large orders, (that often led to leftover stock sometimes ending up as landfill), digital printing has turned the apparel printing game on its head!  DTG provides us the possibility of printing one shirt with a single design!  With no set up fees, meaning minimal up-front costs, the DTG industry has really taken off.   

Realising the potential that DTG printed merch offered, we jumped in headfirst many years ago and purchased our first Kornit DTG printer.  Since that time, QTCo has become the largest DTG print fulfilment facility in the country.  We now have 9 Kornit printers in-house and our fleet continues to grow year-on-year. 

Benefits of DTG Printing

With the ability to print unique designs on each shirt, DTG prints are excellent for high detail and photorealistic prints.  Unlike screen printing, the direct to garment printing process starts with the application of a fixation spray (a pre-treatment) and then the water based inks are jetted directly on to the garment (not through a screen).  The ink soaks into the fabric surface, locking it into the garment, through the use of the fixation spray.  This is ink jet technology, just like printing on to paper! 

When to Choose DTG Printing

If looking to do a smaller run, with a superfast turnaround, and deciding to make a sustainable choice by avoiding over production, then DTG is your game changer!

Direct to Film (DTF) Printing–Versatile Printing Across Fabric Types

Finally, that brings us to DTF, direct to film transfer printing.  We incorporated this department into our print house over the past two years.  Why you make ask?  Well, like screen printing, DTF printing allows us to print on a wider range of fabrics.  However, unlike screen printing, DTF is a cost-effective alternative for small to medium size runs.   

If you remember back to when iron on transfers, were all the rage, well direct to film transfer printing has evolved greatly from the original iron on trend.  It still involves printing designs onto a transfer film which is then covered with a thermos-adhesive powder, this is then transferred onto the final garment with a heat press.  There is no need for extensive pre-treatment processes and operational costs are often reduced, due to decreased ink usage. 

When to Use DTF Printing

DTF prints are durable, detailed and vibrant.  This type of printing allows for excellent, crisp reproduction of designs, whilst allowing you to broaden your product offerings.  It allows us the flexibility to print on a wider range of products, without comprising quality. 

Three very versatile print methods that all produce fine quality prints. 

Quick Comparison of Printing Methods

Which T-Shirt Printing Method is Right for You?

Three very versatile print methods that all produce fine quality prints.  Still confused? Here’s a final summary for you!   

• Screen printing is best used and most cost-effective for bulk orders and when PMS colour matching is vital. 
• DTG printing is the way to go for order fulfilment, on demand printing with no upfront costs.  Better suited for fabrics with a high cotton content, offering great print results and a soft hand feel. 
• DTF printing also offers vibrant results, but can be used on a wider range of fabrications and has more of a smooth, glossy vinyl like finish. 

Our QTCo team are here to help guide you on your custom t-shirt or merch printing journey, so whatever print method you choose, you can expect high quality, long-lasting prints!