When discussing branded gear with customers, choosing the decoration method will inevitably come up in conversation. The decoration is, after all, how a logo will be printed on the apparel or item, so we want to pick the option that will look the best while still being the most cost-effective.
There are two decoration applications that often get brought up: direct to film (DTF) and screen printing.
DTF requires putting a design on a film and then transferring it onto a shirt using heat — almost like ironing the artwork on a shirt.
Screen print, on the other hand, involves applying the ink directly on the piece of apparel using cover screens — following a color-by-number page method.
Both applications are great for different reasons, and depending on the scale of your project, complexity of the design, and the piece of apparel being printed on, one is much better than the other.
Screen Printing: Benefits & Downsides
Screen printing is a common method of application that most people have heard of. Using mesh screens and stencils, the ink is transferred directly onto a surface, leaving behind a design that’s durable and vibrant.
Having to use different screens for each color, however, makes set-up with screen printing tedious and time-consuming if an artwork has numerous colors in it. This is why simple designs are best for screen printing, keeping production efficient and within budget, especially with bulk orders.
DTF: Benefits & Downsides
DTF uses a heat press to transfer designs to garments. Other than what’s used to print the design onto the transfer paper, no ink is required, making DTF the perfect application for more intricate, complex designs involving numerous colors or gradients with quick turn-around times.
In comparison to screen printing, DTF isn’t nearly as limited to the types of fabrics and materials it can be applied to. The design is a layer placed on top of the apparel, not ink that bleeds into it, meaning even if you use a darker design on a darker garment, the artwork will still pop.
One downside to DTF is that it requires a bit more care when it comes to washing the garment, and the artwork tends to wear faster than screen printed designs.
Which Should You Choose?
The application method you use to decorate your apparel depends entirely on the details and scale of your project. If you are doing high-volume with a simple design, screen printing is ideal as it’s more budget-conscious in bulk.
If you’re doing a smaller project, something like less than 100 perhaps, and you have a design that’s more intricate, then DTF is your best option to ensure you maintain the best quality at a great price.
But what if you have a project somewhere between those two examples? Fortunately, the promotional industry offers a plethora of methods to meet your needs; from sublimation, heat transfer vinyl, and even embroidery, whatever your project entails, there’s a solution available.
Have a project in mind that you could use screen printing or DTF for? Reach out to Kurt Rotherham at 1-800-784-9666 x104 or send an email to kurt@theelitegroup.net.