When any brand starts their fashion line, particularly for t-shirts, they have to look for the most affordable yet the right printing method. So, after you select the style, you need to ensure that the printing method is offering quality and won’t ruin your reputation among the customers.

There are more t-shirt printing possibilities than ever before, but there are still two that stand out above the rest:

• Direct To Garment (DTG) printing
• Screen printing

Before you begin, you must learn the basic difference between both types of printing.

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a proven way of printing ink on a variety of fabrics, clothes, and substrates. However, the work is intensive, and it is also getting massive orders of production.

The screen printing method begins with an emulsion-sensitive nylon mesh screen.

A negative image is printed (usually on transparent film), then “burned” into the emulsion with a strong light. The emulsion solidifies (cures), while the negative image remains a water-soluble paste. This results in a hardened stencil. The negative picture is subsequently washed out by a screen printing expert, leaving gaps in the mesh for the ink to pass through.

The screen and screen printing press are placed perfectly to match the printing surface, such as the t-shirt. Ink is then is squeezed directly onto the print surface through the openings in the stencil.

Commonly heat dryer is used to dry the print. It has to heat to 320 degrees F, especially if you use plastisol (popular screen printing ink).  The ink becomes extremely durable as a result of the curing process.

What is DTG printing?

Digital printing is used in the direct-to-garment printing process to put ink and designs into the t-shirt fabric you’re making. Because we live in every way in a digital environment, most people like this newer printing technology. This is why in recent years, it has grown so popular. The design is clean and precise, the borders are narrow, and the detail is great.

DTG printing inks, like screen printing inks, require curing to bond permanently. To cure their products, most DTG printing firms employ a curing dryer or a heat press.

DTG printers differ in size from small desktop devices to big climate-controlled garage units.

Many people anticipate a future in which clients place orders online, and a DTG printer creates the shirts for them. Many businesses have tried it, but the technical and labour obstacles have been enormous. Moreover, DTG printing is more than just pressing a button; other variables and elements are considered.

Consider the office printer you have at home; DTG printing works in the same way. The only difference is that you’re printing on t-shirts rather than paper. Your computer image is transferred onto a blank t-shirt by the printer, who can handle designs in a variety of colours. Then, water-based ink is applied in a single layer to the t-fibers.

Bottom Line 

DTG and screen printing both produce high-quality prints, but the methods and costs are different. Screen printing layers the ink on top of the cloth, whereas DTG employs a printer to spray the ink inside a garment. Most significantly, DTG allows for on-demand order fulfilment at no expense upfront, whereas screen-printed products are ordered in bulk. Now, you have to choose one considering your needs and demands for business.