Screen Printing vs. Heat Transfer vs. Sublimation: Which Is Best for Your Project?

Meta Description: Struggling to pick a printing method? We compare cost, durability, and materials for screen printing, heat transfer, and sublimation.

Quick Answer

Here’s the fast answer for busy readers:

• Screen Printing: Best for big orders (500+ shirts), bold logos, and long-lasting prints.
• Heat Transfer: Good for small batches (1–50 items), mixed fabrics, and low costs.
• Sublimation: Perfect for polyester shirts, photo prints, and all-over designs.

What Are the Costs?

Setup Costs

• Screen Printing: Costs between $1,000 and $5,000. You need screens, ink, and a press.
• Heat Transfer: Costs between $300 and $1,000. You need a heat press and vinyl.
• Sublimation: Costs between $2,000 and $10,000. You need a printer, special paper, and a press.

Cost Per Shirt

Tip: Screen printing saves money on big orders.

How Long Will the Print Last?

Important: Heat transfer prints can peel off after 15 washes. Use them for promo items like posters or tote bags.

What Designs Can You Make?

1. Screen Printing:
   • Works with up to 12 colors.
   • Cannot print gradients (smooth color blends).
   • Best for simple logos or text.
2. Heat Transfer:
   • Uses one-color vinyl (like stickers).
   • Can print basic CMYK transfers (multicolor designs).
3. Sublimation:
   • Prints full-color photos.
   • Handles unlimited details (great for photorealistic printing).

What Materials Work Best?

Warning: Sublimation won’t work on 100% cotton.

Real-World Examples

1. 500 Company T-Shirts

• Winner: Screen Printing.
• Why: Costs $1.80/shirt for big orders. Lasts 50+ washes.

2. 20 Hoodies with Photos

• Winner: Sublimation.
• Why: Prints full-color photos on polyester. No setup fees.

3. 50 Hats with a Logo

• Winner: Heat Transfer.
• Why: Cheap for small batches. Works on curved surfaces.

Common Problems (and Fixes)

FAQs

3 Questions to Pick Your Method

1. What’s your budget?
   • Under $500: Heat transfer.
   • Over $1,000: Screen printing or sublimation.
2. What fabric?
   • Cotton: Screen printing or heat transfer.
   • Polyester: Sublimation.
3. Complex design?
   • Simple: Screen printing/heat transfer.
   • Complex: Sublimation.

Key Takeaways

1. Screen Printing is cheapest for big orders on cotton.
2. Heat Transfer is best for small batches and mixed materials.
3. Sublimation wins for photo prints on polyester.

Use this guide to avoid costly mistakes and pick the best method for your project!