For 50 t-shirts, DTF wins in most cases. No film or screen costs, all colours in one pass, an opaque white on dark textiles, and a lead time of five working days. Screen printing becomes worthwhile from 150 to 200 items with a one- or two-colour design, or for a very specific matt finish.
What each technique really costs
In screen printing, each colour requires a screen: fixed costs of 20 to 40 € per colour, plus set-up. On 50 items with a four-colour logo, these costs weigh 2 to 3 € per t-shirt before even printing. In DTF, there are no fixed costs: the price is the same for a one-colour or a twelve-colour logo, and it drops in tiers with quantity, from 5 items.
Look and feel
DTF gives vivid colours, gradients and fine details, with a soft film that follows the fabric; it can be felt slightly on large solid areas. Screen printing penetrates the fibre and gives a more matt feel, appreciated on large one-colour solids. For a photo, a gradient logo or multicolour artwork, DTF is unrivalled at this quantity.
Wash resistance
A correctly pressed DTF lasts more than 50 washes at 40 °C. Plastisol screen printing lasts as long. Both techniques suffer from hot tumble drying and direct ironing: wash inside out, air dry.
Our recommendation case by case
- 10 to 100 items, colour logo or photo: DTF.
- 50 items, one-colour logo, tight budget: still DTF, unless you find a screen printer with a screen already made.
- 200 items and more, one or two colours, regular restocking: screen printing, or DTF by the metre if you press them yourself.
- Mixed sizes and designs (names, numbers): DTF, screen printing can't do it.
Not sure? Describe your project and we will reply with a quote for both options.