When designing your VistaPrint T-shirts, you may be asked to choose between two popular printing methods: screen printing and direct-to-garment printing, usually shortened to “DTG.”
Both methods can produce an attractive, professional-looking shirt, but they work in very different ways. The right choice mostly depends on your design, the number of shirts you need, and how you want the finished print to look and feel.
Here is today’s featured VistaPrint promotion for t-shirts (view all here!), plus a simple breakdown to help you decide whether to choose DTG or screen printing for your order.
VistaPrint DTG or Screen Printing? How to Choose
Here’s more detail on how DTG and screen-printing work to help you decide which method is better for your Vistaprint t-shirts.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is a traditional method in which ink is pushed through a mesh screen and applied directly to the fabric. Each color in the design typically requires its own screen and layer of ink.
Because setting up the screens takes some time, this method tends to make the most sense when printing a larger number of shirts with the same design.
Screen printing is often a good choice for:
- Business logos
- Team shirts
- Staff uniforms
- Event T-shirts
- Bold graphics
- Designs using only a few colors
- Larger orders of the same shirt
The ink used in screen printing generally creates a bright, solid-looking design. It can be especially effective when printing light-colored artwork on a darker shirt.
What Is DTG Printing?
Direct-to-garment printing works more like a large inkjet printer. Instead of pushing ink through a screen, the printer sprays the design directly onto the fabric.
You down with DTG? Yeah, you know me! Sorry.
Anyway, because the image is printed digitally, DTG can reproduce detailed illustrations, photographs, gradients and a wide range of colors without creating a separate screen for each one. DTG printing also has less setup than screen printing, which makes it practical for smaller quantities or even individual shirts.
DTG printing may be the better choice for:
- Photographs
- Detailed illustrations
- Designs with many colors
- Shading and color gradients
- Small orders
- One-of-a-kind shirts
- Designs that may change frequently
DTG inks are water-based and work particularly well on shirts made primarily from natural fibers such as cotton.
Which Method Produces Better Detail on Apparel?
For complicated artwork, DTG usually has the advantage.
A digital printer can reproduce small details, subtle shading, and many different colors without dramatically increasing the setup involved. This makes DTG especially useful when your design includes a photograph or an illustration with realistic depth.
Screen printing works best with cleaner, bolder artwork. It can still produce impressive results, but extremely small details, soft shadows and photographic images may need to be simplified or converted into separate color layers.
A simple rule to remember is:
- Choose screen printing for bold logos, lettering, and flat colors.
- Choose DTG printing for photographs, gradients, and highly detailed artwork.
Which Is Better for Large T-Shirt Orders?
Screen printing is generally better suited to larger quantities.
Once the screens have been prepared, the same design can be printed repeatedly and efficiently. This can make screen printing more cost-effective when ordering shirts for a large staff, fundraiser, sports team, or promotional event.
DTG does not require the same type of screen setup, so it works well for smaller orders. However, each shirt still needs to move through the digital printing process individually.
When browsing VistaPrint T-shirts, compare the available prices at several quantities. The best value may change depending on the shirt style, design, and current VistaPrint offers.
How Do the T-Shirt Prints Feel?
Screen-printed ink usually sits more noticeably on top of the fabric. This can create a bright, durable print, although a large design with several layers of ink may feel heavier.
DTG ink soaks more directly into the fibers, which often gives the artwork a softer feel. The exact result will depend on the shirt material, ink coverage, and whether a white underbase is needed for a dark-colored shirt.
For either method, a large block of solid ink may feel less breathable than a smaller or more open design.
What About T-Shirt Durability?
Both methods can produce shirts that hold up well when they are properly printed and cared for.
Screen printing has a long-standing reputation for durability, making it a popular choice for uniforms and shirts that may be washed frequently. DTG prints can also last a long time, although the image may gradually soften or fade depending on the fabric, print quality and washing habits.
To help protect your custom VistaPrint T-shirt:
- Wash it inside out.
- Use cold or cool water.
- Avoid harsh bleach.
- Use a gentle cycle when possible.
- Dry it on low heat or let it air-dry.
- Avoid ironing directly over the design.
Always follow the specific care instructions included with your VistaPrint shirts!
Screen Printing or DTG: Which Should You Choose?
Screen printing is usually the stronger option when you have a simple design, only a few colors and a larger quantity of identical shirts. It works especially well for company logos, event shirts and bold promotional graphics.
DTG is generally a better fit when you need only a few shirts or your artwork includes photographs, gradients, fine details or many colors.
Neither method is always better in every situation. Think about the complexity of your artwork, the fabric color, your order size, and how you want the finished design to feel. Once you match the printing method to the design, you are much more likely to end up with a VistaPrint T-shirt that looks good and is something people will genuinely enjoy wearing.
Placing an order for VistaPrint t-shirts? We have coupons here.
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