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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 serigrafía, DTG, o DTF is best for you. We compare cost, durability, and more, including the type of emulsion used!
Introduction
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:
- Serigrafía = Best for big orders with high-quality plastisol ink.
- DTG = Best for photos on light shirts.
- DTF = Best for polyester or mixed fabrics.
¿Qué es la serigrafía?
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).
- Mejor para: 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).
- Mejor para: 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.
- Mejor para: Medium orders (20-100 shirts) on mixed fabrics using a transfer method.
Screen Printing vs DTG vs DTF: The Big Showdown
| Categoría | Serigrafía | DTG | DTF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost for 50 shirts | $1.50-$3 each | $8-$15 each | $4-$8 each |
| Durabilidad | más de 50 lavados (best) | 20-30 washes | 30-40 washes |
| Velocidad | 100 shirts/hour (fast for bulk) | 20 shirts/hour (slow) | 50 shirts/hour (medium) |
| Tela | Cotton only | Pre-treated cotton | Any fabric! |
| Diseños | Simple shapes, text, and emulsion techniques. | Photos, art | Bright colors, no fine details |
Key facts:
- Serigrafía is cheapest for big orders.
- DTG is best for photos on light shirts.
- DTF works on polyester and cotton.
Real-Life Examples
Case Study 1: 500 Cotton Shirts for a School Event
- Ganador: Screen printing.
- Por qué: Saved 80% vs. DTG.
Case Study 2: 10 Hoodies with a Sunset Design
- Ganador: DTG.
- Por qué: Printed gradients perfectly.
Case Study 3: 50 Polyester Hats for a Soccer Team
- Ganador: DTF.
- Por qué: Stuck to polyester better than screen printing.
Answers to Common Questions
1. Which method lasts the longest?
- Serigrafía > 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
- How many shirts?
- Big order (>50) → Serigrafía.
- Small order (<20) → DTG.
- Medium order (20-100) → DTF.
- ¿Que tela?
- Cotton → Serigrafía o DTG.
- Polyester → DTF.
- What design options do you supply?
- Simple → Serigrafía.
- Complex → DTG o DTF.
Reflexiones finales
Serigrafía, DTG, y DTF all have pros and cons. Use this guide to pick the best one for your project!
Remember:
- Big cotton orders → Serigrafía.
- Photo prints → DTG.
- Polyester/mixed fabrics → DTF.
