If you’ve spent any time looking into custom apparel, you’ve probably come across a handful of printing methods: screen printing, DTF, and DTG being the big three. They all put ink on a shirt, but they each do it in a very different way - and depending on your goals, one might make more sense than the others.
Here’s a real-world breakdown of how each method works, the pros and cons, and why we prioritize screen printing whenever it’s an option.
Screen Printing: The Classic Standard
Screen printing has been around forever, and honestly, there’s a reason it never went out of style. It creates bold, vibrant prints that hold up wash after wash. If you’ve ever bought a band tee or a school hoodie that lasted 10+ years, chances are it was screen printed.
How it works (quick & simple):
Ink gets pushed through a mesh screen onto the fabric. Each color gets its own screen, so multi-color designs take more setup and more time, but the end result is worth it.
Why people love screen printing:
- Extremely durable - prints often outlast the garment
- Vibrant colors
- Soft, smooth finish (especially on cotton)
- Best for bulk orders
- Perfect for fundraisers, teams, small businesses & merch drops
Where screen printing falls short:
- Not ideal for tiny, photo-realistic details
- Multi-color prints require higher minimums (because the setup time is significant)
Why we prefer screen printing whenever we can:
Screen printing gives your apparel that premium, long-lasting feel most people expect from real merch. Unlike most big print-on-demand companies, we don’t default to DTF or DTG. If your preorder meets our minimums (12 pieces for a 1-color, 24+ for multi-color), we’ll screen print it, because the quality is simply better, period.
DTF (Direct-to-Film): (The Flexible Backup Option)
DTF is kind of the “Swiss Army knife” of printing. It works on pretty much any fabric, it handles fine details, and it’s great for small runs.
How it works:
Your design is printed onto a special film, powdered with adhesive, cured, and then heat-pressed onto the garment.
DTF pros:
- Works on almost anything (cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, you name it)
- No minimum order requirements
- Handles full-color designs easily
- Great for small orders or leftover sizes on a preorder
DTF cons:
- The print sits on top of the fabric rather than soaking in
- Slightly more “plastic” feel compared to screen printing
- Can be less breathable
- Not quite as durable long-term
When we use DTF:
We use DTF only when preorder quantities don’t meet our screen printing minimums. It’s a great alternative - not our first choice, but a reliable backup that still looks sharp. You’ll know exactly which method is being used for your merch before anything goes into production.
DTG (Direct-to-Garment): The (Usually) POD Favorite
DTG is the method most print-on-demand companies rely on. It works a lot like an inkjet printer, but for shirts.
How it works:
The printer sprays water-based ink directly into the fibers of the garment.
DTG pros:
- Excellent for detailed or photo-realistic designs
- No minimums
- Soft, matte finish
- Great for small, full-color prints on cotton garments
DTG cons:
- Colors aren’t as bright as screen printing
- Doesn’t hold up as well over time
- Works best only on high-cotton garments
- Can fade or wash out faster if not cured perfectly
Why we don't offer DTG:
DTG can look beautiful in the right circumstances, but for most merchandise, especially fundraisers or brand apparel, it just isn’t the most durable option. Screen printing simply performs better and lasts longer, so we only use DTG when it’s the absolute best match for a specific design.
So… Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s the quick version:
Choose Screen Printing if:
- You want the best durability
- You care about long-term quality
- Your design is 1–8 colors
- You’re doing a fundraiser, team order, or merch drop
- You’re meeting the minimum quantities
This is the gold standard, and it’s our go-to method whenever possible.
Choose DTF if:
- You have a small batch
- You need full color
- You’re not meeting screen print minimums
- You want the most flexibility in garment types
Choose DTG if:
- You’re printing a photo
- You want soft prints on cotton
- You don’t mind lower durability
- You prefer a one-off or very small run
Final Thoughts: Why We Lead With Screen Printing
At the end of the day, screen printing still produces the best, longest-lasting, most professional merchandise. It’s vibrant, consistent, and built to hold up through hundreds of washes, something most POD-style prints just can’t match.
That’s why our entire preorder platform is designed to help you reach the minimums needed for screen printing. When you hit those numbers, your merch gets produced using the same methods trusted by major brands.
And when you don’t?
We still have great, reliable alternatives to make sure your designs come to life exactly how you imagined.