Direct to Garment Printing (DTG) vs. Screen Printing

⏱ 3 Min Read - Coastal Reign Team - Nov 15, 2022

When you're looking to launch merchandise, the idea of picking a printing method to produce your products may seem pretty daunting.

When it comes to getting custom t-shirts printed, there are two popular ways to do it: Direct to Garment Printing and Screen Printing. Both Direct to Garment printing and Screen Printing produces high-quality products, but each has its own set of pros and cons. Ultimately, either printing method is a good choice because both can produce impressive results that will suit your needs. But what exactly differentiates these two printing methods from one another? If you don’t have experience in printing, the process can seem a little overwhelming, so we put up this guide to help get you started.

What's the difference between DTG and Screen Printing?

There's a huge difference between screen printing and DTG, but it comes down to your purpose for it. To explain further, let's first define the two:

What exactly is Direct to Garment printing?

DTG is a fast and efficient method of printing on clothing because it allows you to print your designs directly onto your garment using special inkjet printers.

It's an excellent option for smaller orders and garments with high-contrast designs. It also has fewer design restrictions than other printing methods, which makes it popular for both businesses and individuals.

In the last few years, the demand for DTG printing has grown because new technology has made it possible to print on fabrics with a lot more accuracy. You can now get detailed, high-quality, and durable prints at a reasonable price.

How does DTG printing work?

DTG is a process that uses ink to print directly into the fibres of the garment.

This means there's no need for a screen or stencils—you just feed your design through a computer program, and then the machine does all the work for you.

This process allows for garment customization, as each item can be printed individually and in small quantities. But if you need it in bulk, it can print fast enough to produce large quantities as well.

It also allows for intricate designs, as DTG can capture small details and gradients. There are also no limitations on colours in the design.

What is screen printing?

Screen printing is another popular method of printing on garments. This process involves laying ink on a screen and then “squeegeeing” ink through the screen onto the garment.

Although screen printing is a more labour-intensive process, the results are always worth the effort as the products have a unique and handmade quality.

How does screen printing work?

The screen printing process begins with a screen. The design is printed onto the screen using ultra-violet lights, emulsion and water. Once the screen is made, the ink is applied to the screen and the ink is then passed through the screen creating the design on the garment.

Which method is better?

When you're deciding whether to use DTG printing or screen printing, here are a few things to consider:

1. Cost

Direct-to-garment is often less expensive than screen printing. Screen printing has a higher setup cost so Direct-to-garment printing is better for low-quantity orders. However, if you have a large order screen printing could be a better option.

2. Turnaround Time

Screen printing takes longer because it requires more setup and more steps. DTG requires minimal setup and can have a faster turnaround time.

3. Durability

Both DTG and Screen printing are durable printing options. DTG uses inkjet technology to print directly onto the fabric, which allows it to be durable.

Screen printing is also great for durability. Screen prints are made to last, the print is run through our dryer and cured so that it will be durable.

4. Design Ability

Screen printing is an excellent choice for solid colour designs. Screen print also has a limit of 8 colours. While DTG has no colour limitations and allows for small details and gradients to be captured. The choice of which printing method to use is greatly dependent on your design.

Conclusion

In the end, the choice between direct-to-garment printing or screen printing boils down to personal preference. Both produce high-quality results, but the main factors to consider are production cost, production speed, durability, and design ability. Once you have an understanding of your preferences, you can easily choose the best printing option for you. When you are ready to print your design, simply contact us and our experts will be happy to walk you through the process and give you the best possible custom apparel!