The Pros and Cons

1. HOW TO CHOOSE A T-SHIRT
PRINTING SETUP
W W W . I N F I D I R E C T . C O M
SCREENPRINTING
Also called: silk-screen, screen, serigraphy, and serigraph printing
Screen printing is a printing technique whereby a mesh is used to
transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable
to the ink by a blocking stencil. One color is printed at a time, so
several screens can be used to produce a multicoloured image or
design.
Pros
1. Produces long lasting T-shirts
2. Cost effective for large batches, Volume discounts
3. Handmade feel
4. Can be used to print on many types of surfaces.
5. Flexible Printable area when compared to Digital Printing as screen can be made to
cover the whole size of the T-shirt.
6. However different T-shirt sizes will affect the outcome.
Cons
1. For designs with more than four to five colors, each extra color introduces cost and time.
2. No gradient possible within the design since each color variation would require an entirely
separate screen
3. Can only print simple images and designs.
4. If slight changes need to be made to design, it's labor intensive as a new screen needs to be
prepared.
5. High Intial cost to setup the equipment and also maintain it.
DIRECT TO GARMENT PRINTING
Also called: DTG printing, digital direct to garment printing,
digital apparel printing, and inkjet to garment printing
In direct printing, the ink is printed directly onto the t-shirt. It’s as
if you customized a normal printer to accept a t-shirt instead of
paper.
Pros
1. More vibrant, colorful, and detailed prints than on screenprinted products.
2. Unlike screenpriting, unlimited and gradients of colors possible
3. Quantity is not a constraint to print a t-shirt. Can print little or in bulk
4. Quick turnaround time: Design to Print
5. Digital printing technologies are non-contact, meaning that media is printed on without
hand contact, allowing for a more precise image and less distortion as compared to
screenprinting
Cons
1. “The Hand” (of a garment) is a common expression in the industry which refers to how a
final printed t-shirt (or product) feels to the touch. Digital Printing or D2G is not as good as
Screen Printing but with technology it's improving.
2. DTG printing on dark garments requires pre-treating the fabric in order to achieve opacity
on dark garments.
3. Generally accepted that digital printing methods though they hold up quite well, show
signs of fatigue sooner than screenprinted t-shirts.
4. Higher equipment maintenance and ink cost
Dye Sublimation - Dye sub is great for full color designs on white or light colored garments.
It has no feel to the design but is a little trickier to master than inkjet heat transfers. Also, it
tends to be a bit more expensive. You can also use this process on non textile products such
as mugs, mousepads, tile, puzzles, coasters, key chains, etc.
Dye sub is used only on man made fabrics like polyester (with various results on blends and
pre-treated fabrics). You cannot print on 100% cotton t-shirts with dye sub.