Screen Printing vs. DTF: Which Is Better for Your Custom Shirts?
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Two of the most popular ways to put your logo on a shirt are screen printing and DTF (direct-to-film). Both look great — but they're built for different jobs. Here's a plain-English breakdown so you can pick the right one before you order.
The short answer
Order 24+ of the same design in a few colors? Screen printing is usually cheaper and tougher. Need full color, photographic detail, or a small run? DTF wins because it has no minimum and unlimited colors in one pass.
What is screen printing?
Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil, one screen per color. Because there's setup per color, it shines on larger runs — the per-shirt price drops fast as quantity climbs. It's the classic method for team tees, company uniforms, and event shirts. Our screen printing minimum is 24 pieces, and we handle up to six spot colors.
What is DTF printing?
DTF prints your design onto a film, then heat-presses it onto the garment. There's no per-color setup, so a full-color photo costs the same as a one-color logo. There's no minimum — order a single piece if you need to — which makes DTF perfect for small batches, gradients, and one-offs.
Head-to-head
| Screen Printing | DTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bulk orders, few colors | Small runs, full color |
| Minimum | 24 pieces | None |
| Color | Up to 6 spot colors | Unlimited / photographic |
| Cost per shirt (bulk) | Lowest at volume | Flat regardless of colors |
| Setup fees | Per color | None |
| Feel | Very soft (ink in the fabric) | Slight film layer, still flexible |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent with proper care |
So which should you choose?
- 50 navy team shirts with a 2-color logo? Screen printing — you'll get the best price.
- 10 shirts with a full-color mascot? DTF — no color penalty, no minimum.
- Not sure? Send us the artwork and quantity and we'll recommend the cheaper, better-looking option for your job — free.