Screen Printing Showdown: How It Stacks Up Against DTG and DTF

Meta Description with a focus on transfer techniques.: Not sure how to print shirts? Learn if طباعة الشاشة, DTG، أو DTF is best for you. We compare cost, durability, and more, including the type of emulsion used!

مقدمة

Picking the right way to print shirts can save time and money!

• People want to know:
  • Which method is cheapest?
  • Which lasts the longest?
  • Which works on different fabrics?
• Quick answer:
  • طباعة الشاشة = Best for big orders with high-quality plastisol ink.
  • DTG = Best for photos on light shirts.
  • DTF = Best for polyester or mixed fabrics.

ما هي الطباعة على الشاشة؟

Screen printing uses screens to put ink on shirts.

• How it works:
  • A screen with a design holds ink.
  • Ink is pushed through the mesh screen onto the shirt using a squeegee.
• Good things:
  • Very strong (lasts 50+ washes).
  • Cheap for big orders (like 100+ shirts).
• Bad things:
  • Expensive setup ($100-$500) for the transfer process.
  • Hard to do gradients (like sunsets).
• Best for: Big orders of cotton shirts with simple designs.

What is Direct-to-Garment (DTG)?

DTG prints like an office printer but on shirts!

• How it works:
  • A printer sprays ink directly on the shirt.
• Good things:
  • No setup cost ($0).
  • Great for photos (like faces or art).
• Bad things:
  • Costs more per shirt when using plastisol ink. ($8-$15 each).
  • Not good on dark shirts (ink fades).
• Best for: Small orders (1-20 shirts) with detailed art.

What is Direct-to-Film (DTF)?

DTF uses sticky film and a press to add designs to shirts.

• How it works:
  • Print design on film.
  • Stick film to shirt with heat.
• Good things:
  • Works on any fabric with a mesh screen. (cotton, polyester).
  • Bright colors (no fading).
• Bad things:
  • Feels stiff after washing.
  • Moderate cost ($4-$8 per shirt) when using a squeegee method.
• Best for: Medium orders (20-100 shirts) on mixed fabrics using a transfer method.

Screen Printing vs DTG vs DTF: The Big Showdown

Key facts:

• طباعة الشاشة is cheapest for big orders.
• DTG is best for photos on light shirts.
• DTF works on polyester and cotton.

Real-Life Examples

دراسة الحالة 1: 500 Cotton Shirts for a School Event

• Winner: Screen printing.
• لماذا: Saved 80% vs. DTG.

دراسة الحالة 2: 10 Hoodies with a Sunset Design

• Winner: DTG.
• لماذا: Printed gradients perfectly.

دراسة الحالة 3: 50 Polyester Hats for a Soccer Team

• Winner: DTF.
• لماذا: Stuck to polyester better than screen printing.

إجابات على الأسئلة الشائعة

1. Which method lasts the longest?

• طباعة الشاشة > DTF > DTG.

2. Can DTF replace screen printing?

• Yes, we can press designs onto various materials., for mixed fabrics or medium orders.

3. Is DTG eco-friendly?

• Yes, uses water-based inks (less waste) and plastisol for durability.

How to Choose: Simple Checklist

1. How many shirts?
   • Big order (>50) → طباعة الشاشة.
   • Small order (<20) → DTG.
   • Medium order (20-100) → DTF.
2. What fabric?
   • Cotton → طباعة الشاشة أو DTG.
   • Polyester → DTF.
3. What design options do you supply?
   • Simple → طباعة الشاشة.
   • Complex → DTG أو DTF.

الأفكار النهائية

طباعة الشاشة, DTG، و DTF all have pros and cons. Use this guide to pick the best one for your project!

Remember:

• Big cotton orders → طباعة الشاشة.
• Photo prints → DTG.
• Polyester/mixed fabrics → DTF.