Fabric suitability
DTG printing works best on 100% cotton fabrics and cotton blends. Cotton lets the DTG ink soak into the fibers to produce soft results. This compatibility helps ensure prints hold up well over time with minimal fading.
DTG prints work on both light and dark fabrics, thanks to a pre-treatment process on darker garments. This pre-treatment ensures color vibrancy thanks to a white underbase.
Screen printing, in contrast, is highly versatile across fabric types. It works well both on cotton and synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and performance blends—making it better for athletic wear and performance apparel. Screen printing also looks great on any color garment without the need for pre-treatment, as the thicker ink layers allow for high-opacity prints, even on dark materials.
With screen printing, specific inks are used on different materials, which causes the same graphic to appear differently depending on the fabric. DTG printing yields consistent results on both cotton and blend materials.
Sustainability
Compared to traditional screen printing, DTG printing reduces the risk of overproduction and minimizes textile waste. Since it supports on-demand printing with no order minimums, there’s less excess inventory and fewer unsold items ending up in landfills.
Plus, many DTG printer manufacturers—like Kornit, a Printful partner—create advanced tech with sustainability in mind, as it’s often the driving force behind the printing technique. Kornit’s DTG printing machines produce almost zero wastewater and use less energy, lowering the carbon footprint.
Kornit digital printers use water-based vegan inks formulated and tested in-house to maintain consistent quality. The inks are non-hazardous, toxin-free, biodegradable, and contain no animal by-products.
Screen printing can contribute to more waste, as it’s typically used for bulk ordering. Any unsold inventory could potentially go to waste and contribute to textile overproduction, which is one of the main problems the sustainable fashion movement is tackling.
Additionally, screen printing consumes more water and chemicals, particularly during the cleanup stage. Each screen used in printing needs to be washed and cleaned after use, requiring chemical solvents to remove the ink and clean the screens. This results in higher water consumption and chemical waste.
As a store owner, you must know how your business affects the environment. That’s why it’s important to consider the sustainability of each printing method.
On-demand fulfillment
DTG printing is the clear choice for on-demand fulfillment. Thanks to the short setup time, businesses can print single items or small batches with minimal upfront costs. This makes DTG printing a perfect fit for an online store connected to a print-on-demand dropshipping provider like Printful, where each item is printed only when ordered.
Once your customer orders a single t-shirt on your store, Printful automatically receives the order, prints your design on the t-shirt, and sends it directly to your customer under your brand. This on-demand printing model saves you from managing inventory or handling shipping logistics yourself.
You can still order in bulk if needed. Many print providers, including Printful, offer bulk discounts for DTG orders.
Screen printing, on the other hand, typically involves higher setup costs and minimum order requirements, so it’s better for large, one-time orders rather than on-demand production. It’s less flexible for businesses that don’t want to carry excess stock.
Considering screen printing in bulk for your company or party? Let us know and get a quote in 48 hours.
Upfront investment
The screen printing costs depend on the number of items you order. It’s often the cheapest option if you buy in large quantities, since it requires manual prep and separate screens that pay off when reused at scale.
That’s why screen printing has low bulk prices, but it’s less efficient for small runs. For low-quantity jobs, DTG printing is typically the more cost-effective solution.
Screen printing is budget-friendly for designs with simple graphics (ideally with only a couple of colors), but it requires an upfront investment. Most third-party print services have order minimums anywhere from 5 to 100 items.
The final price of your screen printing bulk order is based on the number of colors in your designs and the screens needed to print them. It’s financially challenging if you’re just starting out or want to experiment with designs.
Ordering in bulk also means managing storage and fulfillment of your custom t-shirts. This limits the number of designs on your store, because each design will have to be printed in bulk. With DTG printing, however, you can avoid this issue entirely by producing items as orders come in.
DTG vs. screen printing: when to choose which?
Both techniques have their strengths depending on the design you want to produce. Choosing the right printing method will lower costs, reduce waste, and improve turnaround times.
When to choose DTG printing
DTG printing is the better option for designs that feature photorealistic images, intricate details, or a wide color range. It’s also the right choice if you want to print small quantities or offer custom apparel on demand.
If your business frequently updates products or tests new designs, DTG printing gives you the flexibility to scale without investing in storage or inventory.
When to choose screen printing
Screen printing is ideal for simple, bold designs that rely on solid colors without any intricate details. It’s the go-to option for bulk orders, where costs can be offset by larger production runs.
If your design features basic graphics or typography and you need to print many items quickly and cost-effectively, screen printing is likely the best fit.
Read also: Embroidery vs Screen Printing: Which Should You Go With?
If it’s still hard to decide which printing method is right for you, take a look at this comparison table:
|
|
Screen printing
|
DTG printing
|
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High-quality prints
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Detailed designs
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Unlimited color palette
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Order minimums
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
On-demand fulfillment
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No
|
Yes
|
|
Bulk discounts
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Requires upfront investment
|
Yes
|
No
|
It’s not just about cost—your printing method affects what you can sell, how you sell it, and how easily you can scale.
Choose your printing method wisely
Whether you go with DTG or screen printing depends on what you’re selling, how much you produce, and how flexible you want your setup to be. Before you make your final decision, consider:
- The amount of detail and colors in your design
- Whether you want small print batches or bulk
- How much time and money you want to invest upfront
- Whether you want to hold inventory or use an on-demand model
If you want to launch and grow with minimal risk, on-demand DTG printing is your best bet. With this printing method, it’s easy to introduce new designs to your store risk-free, and you don’t have to worry about keeping stock or shipping the items yourself.
Using DTG print providers gives you more time to experiment with your product offering and marketing. It also helps eliminate overproduction, thus minimizing waste.
What’s your experience with DTG and screen printing? Let us know in the comments below!
