Ultimate Guide to Custom Printing: Digital Print (DTG), Transfer Print (DTF) and Screen Printing
Choosing the Perfect Print for Your Brand
At Apliiq, we have three main ways of printing on custom apparel. This is a comprehensive guide to understanding the subtle differences between our offered printing services. Review the process, the benefits, when to use each application, and the pricing to determine what is right for you, your designs, and your brand. Find the perfect print method for your project or idea!
Be Knowledgeable about the Printing Process
Knowing is half the battle! Educate yourself on how each process works so you can make the best decisions for you and you'll know what to expect.
| Digital Printing (DTG) | Transfer Printing (DTF) | Screen Printing | |
| Nicknames | Direct to Garment | Direct to Film, Screen Print on Demand | Silk Screen Printing |
| Method | - Garment is loaded onto a machine - Garment is sprayed with wet glue adhesive - Artwork is printed directly onto the garment with ink - Garment is dried for curing in a enormous conveyor dryer | - Artwork is printed onto clear film with a large format printer - Film is cut to size and positioned onto the garment - Artwork is transferred onto the garment with a heat press - Film is removed | - Artwork is created as a negative on a film in a dark room - A mesh screen holds the film - The screen is calibrated and positioned to the machine - One color at a time, ink is pushed through the mesh screen and lands on the garment - Ink is cured after each color and a new screen is setup for each new color - Garment is dried for curing in enormous conveyor dryer |
Mental Picture | - The garment is laid onto the machine, and it is printed like an ordarinary desktop printer in full color (if your printer were as big as a car!) | - Think of peel and stick transfers that you may have done as a kid during arts and crafts, but an industrial level with permanent adhesion and softer feel | - Massive machine with multiple arms coming out from center hub, tees are placed on the arms and thick ink is physically pushed through the screen |
No matter the process, printing is always hand made.
Ink being pushed through a screen to create a screen print.
Consider the Features and Benefits of Each Printing Method
Learn about the subtle differences of each printing style to enhance your designs and outcome.
Direct to Garment (DTG) | Transfer Printing (DTF) | Screen Printing | |
| Quantity | - Great for on demand printing - Great for samples - Great for small to medium bulk orders | - Great for on demand printing - Great for samples - Great for small to medium bulk orders | - Great for large bulk orders |
Durability | - Good durability - Print may fade over time depending on washing and drying | - Great durability - Print never fades - Print may peel over time depending on washing or drying | - Best durability - Print never fades - Print may eventually crack or peel over time depending on washing or drying |
Appearance | - Soft hand - Fibers of garment may show through the print - Depending on the garment and artwork, print can appear more vintage | - Smooth hand - Print is slightly raised on garment - Print is opaque | - Smooth hand - Print is on top of the garment and may be absorbed into the garment - Print is opaque |
Colors | Unlimited Colors | Unlimited Colors | Limited Colors - pay per color - each color requires it's own screen and setup - each color has to be unique (no blending or fading or gradients) |
| Special Effects | - Can print gradients - Can print opacity (with proper file setup) - Can print small details | - Can print gradients - Can print unlimited colors - Avoid small details that may not transfer | - Limited colors (pay per color) - Half tones used for opacity changes - Can print metallic ink like gold or silver |
Hand Feel | - Super soft to the touch - Feels like the garment - Print is embedded into the garment - Dyes the actual garment | - Similar to traditional screen print - Print lays on top of the garment - Super smooth - Feels like ink on top of the garment | - Print lays on top of the garment - Feels like plastic on top of the garment |
| Material | - Best for 100% cotton - Good for cotton poly blended | - Great on cotton or poly - Great on Polyester material | - Great on cotton or poly |
Application | Great for: - Tees - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants Cannot be used on: - Windbreakers - Hats - Yoga pants | Great for: - Yoga pants - Polos - Windbreakers - Tote bags - Jackets - Hats - Shorts - Tees - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants | Great for: - Yoga pants - Polos - Windbreakers - Tote bags - Jackets - Shorts - Tshirts - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants Cannot be used on: - Hats |
| Artwork size | - Max 15" x 19" (limited by the garment size or placement) | - Max 15" x 15" (limited by the garment size or placement) | - Max 15" x 18" (limited by the garment size or placement) |
Neck Prints | Available at any quantity | Available at any quantity | Available at more than 50 per size |
Transfer Printing is Awesome for Printing on Hats
Find the Right Printing Method for Your Application
Certain Types of Printing work Better on Specific Materials or Garments
Direct to Garment (DTG) | Transfer Printing (DTF) | Screen Printing | |
| Application | Great for: - Tees - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants Cannot be used on: - Windbreakers - Hats - Yoga pants | Great for: - Yoga pants - Polos - Windbreakers - Tote bags - Jackets - Shorts - Tees - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants - Hats | Great for: - Yoga pants - Polos - Windbreakers - Tote bags - Jackets - Shorts - Tshirts - Hoodies - Sweatshirts - Sweatpants Cannot be used on: - Hats |
| Artwork size | - Max 15" x 19" (limited by the garment size or placement) | - Max 15" x 15" (limited by the garment size or placement) | - Max 15" x 18" (limited by the garment size or placement) |
| Neck Prints | Available at any quantity | Available at any quantity | Available at more than 50 per size |
Transfer Printing is Screen Print Quality - On Demand!
Transfer printing is our newest method of printing and is available for garments that digital and screen print are not well equipped to handle. Transfers are great for activewear like yoga pants and outerwear like windbreakers.
On Demand Printing: Compare Digital Print and Transfer Printing for Drop Shipping
See the difference first hand between digital printing and transfer printing. Remember, screen printing is not used for on demand print manufacturing and is best for large orders of 100 or more pieces.
When you see the difference up close, you'll notice that the Transfer print on the left is more opaque and the Digital print on the right absorbs more texture of the tshirt. Both options are super solid and depend on your personal preference. Some people like to see the artwork fade into the grain of the tee and others prefer seeing the artwork pop off the tee in contrast to the material.
Below is another comparison highlighting the actual application and texture of Digital Print (on the left) and Transfer Print (on the right) when looking directly at the edge of the print.
You'll notice that Transfer print (featured on the right) is more like a sticker that has been applied, with the ink on top of the garment. Where as Digital print (featured on the left) is actually embedded in the grain of the garment. Both have bright, rich colors - though Transfer printing can generally hit more of the Neon color spectrum.
Go beyond the standard hoodies and tees!
Apliiq offers a multitude of apparel accessories for printing such as adorable tote bags.
Transfer prints are ideal for on demand tote bags
Evaluate Different Printed Branding Elements
Neck Prints are a Great Way to Showcase Your Brand on Every Garment
Direct to Garment (DTG) - Available at any quantity - Available on tees and tanks only (no fleece items) - Printed directly on the garment | Transfer Printing (DTF) - Available at Any Quantity - Available on tees, hoodies, jackets, tote bags - Printed on film and heat pressed onto garment |
Private Label - Available at any quantity - Available for ANY item, including hats, fleece, totes, etc - Printed ribbon labels that are then sewn onto the garment | Screen Printing - Available at more than 50 per size - Available on tees and tanks only (no fleece items) - Printed directly on garment |
No to worry, we will match the printing service of your artwork and your neck print.
For example, if you created a tshirt with a Transfer Print on the front of the garment, we will print your neck print with the same type of print Transfer Printing. Similarly, if you select Digital Printing (DTG) for the front artwork, we will print your neck print with Digital Printing (DTG). Lastly, if you select screen print, we will choose the best option for your neck print whether digital, transfer or screen printing. We offer many branding services, learn more here.
Consider How Pricing and Timing May Influence Your Creation
Finding the perfect printing method may come down to the cost. Evaluate which printing methods are best for bulk orders or on demanding printing.
Direct to Garment (DTG) | Transfer Printing (DTF) | Screen Printing | |
Pricing Overview | - Great for on demand printing - Great for drop shipping - Most affordable option for small run production - Good option for small to medium bulk production (1-250 items) | - Premium option for on demand printing - Premium option for drop shipping - Mid tier option for small run production - Good option for small to medium bulk production (1-250 items) | - Not available for on demand printing - Not available for drop shipping - Mid tier option for medium |
Available for Drop Shipping | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pricing for Drop Shipping | $$ | $$$ | Not available |
| Pricing for Samples | $$ | $$$ | $$$$$ |
| Pricing for Bulk Production (100 units for example) | $$ | $$$ | $ |
| Turn Around Time | - On Demand - Usually less than 1 week | - On Demand - Usually less than 1 week | - Full Production - Usually about 2 weeks |
Now that you fully understand the differences between Digital Printing, Transfer Printing, and Screen Printing - it's time to put your knowledge into action! Design your first sample and order a sample to see it come to life.
You've got nothing to lose, just give it a try.
Upload your artwork and start designing a product.
Upload your artwork and start designing a product.
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