When starting a clothing brand, you must decide what type of printing technique to use for your designs. Two popular methods today are direct-to-film (DTF) and screen printing. These methods are titans in the printing-on-demand industry, covering everything from basic to colorful and intricate designs.
Although DTF and screen printing might first appear similar, their differences mean that they excel in different applications. And if you’ve gone down the rabbit hole of YouTube tutorials and endless Google searches, you’ve probably seen heated debates about which is “better.” But the truth is: it depends on what you need.
Not every printing method works for every situation. And if you pick the wrong one, you could waste a ton of time, money, and energy. So, read on to understand whether DTF or screen printing is best for you, depending on your printing requirements.
INHOUDSOPGAWE
Wat is DTF-drukwerk?
Wat is skermdruk?
DTF vs. screen printing: Which is better?
1. Print quality and durability
2. Order size and speed
3. Fabrics and material compatibility
4. Print complexity
5. Upfront investment
Final verdict: Which is better for you?
Wat is DTF-drukwerk?
DTF printing, short for direct-to-film printing, is becoming increasingly popular thanks to it being easy to set up, as well as its ability to produce vibrant, highly detailed prints with minimal effort. One of its biggest advantages is the ability to print on dark-colored fabrics without the hassle common with other methods. In addition, it works on various materials like cotton, polyester, fleece, and blends, making it a go-to choice for many businesses.
Hier is hoe dit werk:
- Print the design onto a PET film instead of directly onto fabric
- Apply a special adhesive powder, which acts like glue
- Heat the film and transfer it onto the fabric using a heat press
- Once it cools, peel off the film, and the design is locked in
It’s that simple! There is no messy setup and no pre-treating fabrics, and it works on almost any material.
Wat is skermdruk?
Screen printing (or silk printing) is popular for its simplicity. Using just a stencil and a mesh screen, printers can achieve superlative control over a design’s texture and thickness. In addition, the final prints are durable and long-lasting.
Here’s how screen printing works:
- A separate screen is created for each color in the design
- The ink is pushed through the screen onto the fabric using a squeegee
- Multiple screens will be required if the design has multiple colors
- Once all layers are ready, the design is heat-cured to lock it into place
Although screen printing tends to take longer than DTF, there’s a reason why big brands still use it today: simplicity.
DTF vs. screen printing: Which is better?
1. Print quality and durability
If you want high-quality prints, DTF delivers the best clarity; since it’s a digital process, full-color designs, including images and intricate graphics, are easy to create. The best part? The final result will look crisp on any material.
However, DTF prints may need some softening, but single-layer prints lose their stiffness after a few washes and wears.
Similarly, screen printing offers impressive quality combined with durability. This method’s designs will stay colorful after many washes, so you won’t have to worry about fading.
Unlike DTF, screen printing works best with simple designs, like text that doesn’t cover a large area. Although more intricate designs can be achieved, they can be time-consuming, as each color needs a different screen.
2. Order size and speed
Another important factor when comparing DTF and screen printing is order size and speed. If you want to start with small batches or custom orders, you’ll have a better experience with DTF printing. Even if customers make any last-minute adjustments, you can make them easily with few issues.
On the contrary, screen printing is not as quick as DTF. It takes over double the time to set up because each design requires a new screen. Because it wastes time and materials, it may not be the best choice for small-batch orders.
However, if the design is basic, screen printing can easily be scaled to meet larger demand. That’s why most businesses use this method to handle massive productions – it’s way faster than DTF for larger orders.
3. Fabrics and material compatibility
Which fabrics and materials does each process work with best? For starters, DTF is versatile and can handle almost anything you throw at it. You can print on cotton, fleece, nylon, canvas, blends, metal, wood, and even glass, and compatibility won’t be an issue as DTF can handle curves and textured surfaces.
Traditional screen printing also offers similar compatibility. It works well on cotton, silk, blends, wood, and glass. But there’s a catch: You’ll need specialized ink to make it work on materials like glass and wood, which translates to extra costs.
4. Print complexity
As we mentioned before, DTF and screen printing are best suited for complex and simple designs, respectfully. DTF transfer can easily create high-quality images with vibrant colors and intricate details, such as gradients, thin text, sharp edges, and artistic prints.
That’s because DTF uses CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) with a white base ink to recreate even the most complex color combinations. This process also makes full-color prints look amazing and rich on all compatible materials.
On the other hand, achieving complex designs via screen printing means mixing different inks. Even that won’t guarantee the same vibrancy and precision as DTF printing. For example, it can be tricky to create gradient designs with screen printing, even though it’s possible.
But it’s not all bad. One thing screen printing has going for it here is its layered ink application. This technique can give designs a slightly raised texture, providing a unique feel with great tactility.
5. Upfront investment
Starting any printing business requires an upfront investment, and DTF and screen printing have different costs. DTF printing requires equipment such as a good-quality DTF printer, transfer films, special inks, and adhesives. For this reason, you can expect to invest USD 50,000 or more.
On the other hand, screen printing needs a much lower investment because it doesn’t necessitate buying machines. Instead, you’ll need a good mesh screen, frame, inks, and a squeegee, with upfront investment ranging from USD 1,000 to USD 3,000.
Note: If the costs are too high, you can use a print-on-demand service. That way, you only choose the product and send in your design – the service will handle the rest.
Final verdict: Which is better for you?
This answer will depend on your specific requirements. If you focus on bold, vibrant colors, DTF printing is the way to go as it delivers sharp, high-quality prints with long-lasting detail, making it a great choice, especially for minimalist or artistic designs.
But remember that DTF prints can have a slightly plastic-like feel, so it’s ideal for smaller designs or ones spread out across different areas. If you want to cover an entire T-shirt with a large network, DTF might not be the ideal printing method.
On the other hand, screen printing takes time, but it’s worth it if your brand favors bold yet simple designs. It delivers durable, high-quality prints that last a long time. FInally, screen printing may be preferable who want the feel of ink or a more tactile design.
By carefully weighing these factors, as well as the costs, you should be able to decide which printing technique is ideal for your needs.
