Screen Printing vs. DTF Printing: Which Is Right for Your Order?

Both methods produce great results. They just do it differently, and they’re better suited for different kinds of orders. Here’s how to figure out which one makes sense for yours.

The short version

If you’re ordering a solid run of 24+ pieces with a simple design, screen printing usually wins on price per piece. If you need smaller quantities, full-color artwork, or a one-off item, DTF is almost always the better call.

But it’s not always that clean-cut, so let’s go deeper.

How each method works

Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen directly onto the garment, one screen per color. The setup takes time and materials, which is why it favors larger quantities. Once the screens are made, printing a hundred shirts costs nearly the same as printing fifty.

DTF (Direct to Film) prints your full design onto a transfer film, which is then heat-pressed onto the garment. No screens, no per-color setup. One design, any quantity.

Color count

Screen printing: each color in your design requires a separate screen. A 4-color design on a 24-piece run is usually still cost-effective, but a 10-color design on a 12-piece order gets expensive fast.

DTF: color count doesn’t affect price. A gradient with 50 shades costs the same to set up as a two-color logo.

Quantity

Screen printing makes the most financial sense at higher quantities, generally 24 pieces or more, though it depends on the design. The setup cost gets spread across more items.

DTF has no sweet spot for quantity because there’s no real setup cost. One shirt or forty, the per-piece cost stays consistent.

Fabric type

Screen printing works best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends.

DTF works on cotton, polyester, blends, tri-blends, and most other fabrics. If you’re printing on performance wear or a fabric with synthetic content, DTF is usually the safer choice.

Feel and finish

Screen prints, especially with waterbased or discharge inks, can have a very soft hand that feels like part of the shirt. DTF prints have a slightly more tactile feel. It’s subtle, and most people don’t notice, but it’s worth knowing if you’re particular about it.

Durability

Both hold up well with proper care. Wash inside out, skip the dryer when possible, and either method will last.

Quick comparison

• Best for · Screen Printing: Large runs, simple designs | DTF: Small runs, full-color, one-offs
• Color count · Screen Printing: Affects price | DTF: Doesn’t affect price
• Minimum quantity · Screen Printing: Works best at 24+ | DTF: No minimum
• Fabric flexibility · Screen Printing: Cotton-best | DTF: Works on almost anything
• Feel · Screen Printing: Softer (esp. with specialty inks) | DTF: Slightly more tactile
• Durability · Screen Printing: Excellent | DTF: Excellent

Not sure which to pick?

That’s what we’re here for. Tell us about your order (design, quantity, garment type, timeline) and we’ll point you in the right direction. We offer both at 570 Apparel in Forty Fort, PA, and we serve customers across Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Kingston, and all of NEPA.

Learn more about our screen printing services. Learn more about our DTF printing services.