Screen-Printing vs DTF

Choosing the Right Printing Method for Your Custom Apparel

Selecting the right printing method for your custom apparel can be a daunting task. With various options like Digital Garment Printing and Screen Printing, understanding the advantages of each technique is key to ensuring your designs are executed with the highest quality and the best results.

Our Approach at Colours International

To streamline the decision-making process for our customers, we’ve adopted a default printing method:

All orders of 1–100 garments are automatically designated for digital printing. This approach guarantees:

High-quality, vibrant prints
Cost-efficiency for smaller quantities
Quick turnaround times
Flexibility in handling detailed or full-color designs

Tailored Solutions for Your Needs

We believe in working closely with our clients to bring their vision to life. If you have specific preferences or require a different printing method, we’re more than happy to adjust our process to suit your needs. Whether it’s a special design or a larger order, we’ll work with you to ensure the perfect fit.

Your vision, our expertise—let's create apparel with precision and care.

DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film)

How it works:

DTF printing involves a multi-step process that begins with creating a design on a special film. The design is printed in a mirror image using high-quality, vibrant inks. The printed film is then transferred onto the garment using a heat press, where the ink is cured and bonded to the fabric.

Key Benefits:

Intricate, Full-Color Designs: DTF is ideal for complex designs with multiple colors, gradients, and fine details.

Versatility: It works on a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, blends, leather, and nylon.
Durability: DTF prints are long-lasting, maintaining vibrant color and detail even after numerous washes. The transfer is designed to last for years, often outlasting the garment itself.
Quick Turnaround: This method is perfect for small to medium orders and on-demand projects, as the process is relatively fast.
Cost-Effective for Small Runs: With no setup fees, DTF is especially cost-effective for orders ranging from 1 to 100 garments, making it great for smaller quantities.

Best for:

Detailed, multi-color designs
Small to medium order quantities
Quick, high-quality production
Varied fabric types

Screen Printing

How it works:
Screen printing is a time-tested technique that involves creating a stencil (or screen) for each color in the design. Ink is applied through each screen, one color at a time, to build up the final design. Multiple layers of ink are used, especially for dark-colored garments, to achieve vibrant and bold colors.

Key Benefits:

Durability: Screen-printed designs are incredibly durable, especially with plastisol inks, which are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling.
Cost-Effective for Large Runs: Screen printing becomes more economical as the order size increases, thanks to the one-time setup cost for each color.
Vibrant, Bold Colors: This method is excellent for bold, simple designs with fewer colors, producing bright, striking prints—especially on dark garments.
Long-lasting Prints: The ink used in screen printing is thicker, providing a durable finish that stands up to multiple washes.

Considerations:

Limited by Color Complexity: Each color in your design requires a separate screen, making it less ideal for designs with multiple colors or gradients.
Setup Time: While cost-effective at large volumes, screen printing requires more time for setup, making it less suited for smaller orders or quick-turnaround projects.

Best for:

Large production runs (100+ garments)
Simple, bold designs
Long-lasting prints with vibrant color on dark fabrics

SCREEN-PRINTING VS DIGITAL PRINTING

Choosing the Right Printing Method for Your Custom Apparel

Our Approach at Colours International

Tailored Solutions for Your Needs

DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film)

Screen Printing

Help Center

Our Address

Support

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SCREEN-PRINTING VS DIGITAL PRINTING

Choosing the Right Printing Method for Your Custom Apparel

Our Approach at Colours International

Tailored Solutions for Your Needs

DTF Printing (Direct-to-Film)

Screen Printing

Help Center

Our Address

Support

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