There are many ways to print on T shirts and hoodies. However, the two most commonly used methods today are Screen Printing and Direct to Film printing, also known as DTF. If you look at most T shirts and hoodies in the market, you will find that they are printed using one of these two methods.

There are other methods as well such as embroidery, vinyl, digital printing and sublimation. In this blog, we will focus only on Screen Printing and DTF.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is one of the oldest fabric printing methods that is still widely used today. It may sound surprising, but this long history actually shows how reliable and effective this method is. Screen printing is known for its quality, durability and cost effectiveness when done in the right quantities.

In screen printing, ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen onto the fabric. Certain areas of the screen are blocked so the ink only passes through the open parts to create the design. This method produces clean, bold prints with strong colours. Because of this, screen printing is commonly used for T shirts, hoodies and uniforms.

While screen printing is affordable, it becomes economical mainly when printing in larger quantities. The higher the number of pieces, the lower the cost per piece. This is because screens need to be prepared for each colour, which adds to the setup cost.

Direct To Film Printing

Direct To Film printing, or DTF, is a relatively new printing method that became commercially popular around 2020. It has grown quickly because of its flexibility and ease of use.

In DTF printing, the design is first printed onto a special film. This film is then placed on the garment and applied using a heat press. The ink sticks to the fabric through heat and pressure.

One of the biggest advantages of DTF is that it is quick and suitable even for very small quantities. You can print even one piece without much extra cost. It also allows unlimited colours, as the design is printed using CMYK colour mixing, similar to a regular printer. This makes DTF ideal for complex and colourful designs.

However, DTF also has some drawbacks. The print feel is usually harder compared to screen printing because the ink sits on top of the fabric. Also, there are very limited cost savings when printing large quantities. Unlike screen printing, the price per piece does not reduce significantly with higher volumes.

Screen Printing vs DTF Comparison

Here is a quick and easy comparison to help you decide.

Screen Printing DTF Printing Best use Larger orders Small and flexible orders Minimum quantity Low at Tee Tales, from 20 pieces Even single pieces Cost per piece Gets cheaper at higher volumes Almost same at all volumes Design style Simple and bold designs Detailed and colourful designs Print feel Soft and breathable Slightly thicker feel Durability Excellent and long lasting Good with proper care

What We Offer at Tee Tales

At Tee Tales, we offer both Screen Printing and DTF printing, giving brands the flexibility to choose what suits them best.

Unlike many vendors who require high minimums, we can offer screen printing from as low as 20 pieces per design. This allows brands to test designs, manage inventory better, and still enjoy the benefits of screen printing.

Whether you are launching a new design or producing at scale, we help you select the right printing method for the best result.