Screen Printing vs DTG Printing: Which Is the Better Choice?
Screen printing applies ink through a mesh screen and stencil, whereas DTG printing uses an inkjet-style printer for direct ink application.
Let’s compare these two popular printing methods and explore their pros and cons.
Understanding the Differences Between Screen Printing vs DTG Printing
Whether you want your branding to stand out at events or you want custom designs on everyday apparel, screen printing and DTG printing are widely used methods for printing designs on clothing.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing, also called silkscreen printing, is a traditional technique that uses a mesh screen and stencil to push layers of ink onto the fabric.Â
It breaks down the design into individual colors and applies one color at a time using a stencil. This method often uses thicker, more durable inks like plastisol. Even thinner, water-based inks are still quite strong for apparel printing.
The resulting ink layer is much thicker than that created by digital printing methods. Screen-printed shirts have a noticeably tactile, raised feel.
Pros:
- Excellent Durability: Because of its time-tested durability, this printing method has been a crowd favorite for decades. It’s more long-wearing than DTG-printed designs, even with repeated washes.
- Cost-Effective for Bulk Orders: After preparing the screen, the printing process is fast and seamless. The bigger the order, the lower the cost per unit.
- Remarkable Color Match: Printers can hand-mix inks to achieve precise color matching.
- Special Effects: Specialty inks are available for a wow factor, including metallic, glow-in-the-dark, foils, glitter, and puff inks, which are not available in DTG printing.
- Bolder Results on Dark Fabrics: Screen printing produces more vibrant colors on dark fabrics, whereas DTG requires fabric pretreatment and white underbases.
- Compatible With Various Materials: Besides fabric, screen printing also works well on glass, wood, metal, and synthetic fabrics like polyester with the use of special treatments or inks.
Cons:
- More Expensive for Small Orders: The cost per unit increases for small orders because each color requires a separate screen, making it costly and inefficient to print only a few pieces per design. Many shops also have minimum order quantities for screen-printed garments.
- Not Ideal for Complex Designs: Intricate artworks, especially those with numerous colors or gradients, are too time-consuming to print as they require numerous screens for multiple colors.
What Is DTG Printing?
DTG (direct-to-garment) printing is a modern method that has gained popularity in recent years because of its ability to handle complex designs and short production runs.
It involves pre-treating garments with a bonding agent and then directly applying ink onto the fabric using advanced inkjet technology. It creates a softer, more natural finish compared to screen printing.
DTG works just like a printer, but for apparel.
Pros:
- Exceptional Clarity and Color Accuracy: DTG is great for intricate designs with vivid colors. It accurately reproduces small details and smooth color gradients.
- Numerous Color Options: It allows full-color designs, including photos, without increasing the cost for multiple colors.
- No Minimum Order: It’s cost-effective for small-scale projects.
- Fast Turnaround for One-Off Prints: Production times are fast since DTG requires minimal setup.
Cons:
- Higher Cost Per Unit for Large Orders: Unlike screen printing, which is cost-effective for bulk orders, DTG is more suitable for smaller runs.
- Shorter Lifespan: DTG-printed apparel usually fades faster than screen-printed designs. In one forum discussion, several people noted that many DTG shirts barely last a year mainly due to improper washing. Others pointed out that some of the bigger printing companies cut corners, for example by using weak pretreatment, to reduce costs.
- Limited Material Compatibility: DTG produces optimal results on light, natural fabrics, particularly cotton, linen, and bamboo. However, it may not produce the same results for synthetic and heavily textured fabrics. In the same forum discussion, one user shared that DTG works best on fabrics with higher cotton percentages.
What Designs Are Ideal for Screen Printing Vs DTG Printing?
Screen printing is perfect for simple and bold designs with minimal colors, especially logos, text, and monochromatic images.
It’s great for large volumes of merch, like T-shirts and hoodies, and apparel requiring lasting durability, like workwear and uniforms. It also suits other marketing materials and poster-style prints.
DTG printing works best for photorealistic and highly detailed images. With its versatility, this printing method is great for fashion apparel, sportswear, and limited-edition collections.
Pro Tip: For screen printing, it’s best to use around 1 to 6 solid colors for your design. If gradients and numerous colors are a must, DTG printing is the better route.
The Verdict
Overall, screen printing remains the superior option when it comes to durability and print quality. It produces bold, vibrant prints that make an impact and possibly outlast your favorite jeans.
That said, the right printing method depends on your needs. If you’re ordering in bulk, go with screen printing. But if you want one-offs, DTG is a sound choice.
At NorthCoast Banners, we use screen printing to produce durable, stunning results. Our process uses long-lasting inks and quality fabrics to maintain color clarity over time.
Ready to discuss your print order? Contact us now to get started! We ship anywhere in the U.S. with reliable nationwide delivery.
Mendy Rimler
As CEO of NorthCoast Banners, Mendy has 15 years of experience in the print industry and has worked with brands large and small across the US to bring their branding to life with quality prints.