Which printing method will my shirts get?
Under 24 shirts, direct-to-garment (DTG). 24 or more, screen printed. You do not have to choose. Here is what each one means for cost, color and feel.
Side by side
Classic Cotton Tee, front print.
| Feature | Screen printing (24+) | Direct-to-garment (under 24) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per shirt | Falls with quantity. $11.45 a tee at 24, $7.45 at 250+. | Flat. $19.95 for one, $14.95 at 12. |
| Colors | One screen per ink color. Best for one to four solid colors. | Any number of colors in one pass. |
| Photos and gradients | Possible, but loses fine detail. Solid shapes and text look best. | Prints photos and gradients as they appear in the file. |
| Feel | Ink sits on top. Bold and slightly raised. | Ink soaks in. Thin and soft. |
| Durability | Outlasts the shirt with normal washing. | Lasts years. Fades slightly on dark shirts over many washes. |
| Setup | Screens for every color, built into the price. No screen fees. | None. That is why one shirt is possible. |
| Best for | 24 or more with a logo or text in a few colors. | Samples, small batches, photos, many colors. |
What is screen printing?
A stencil is made for each ink color, and ink is pushed through it onto every shirt. The screens take time to make but cost almost nothing per shirt after that. So the price falls as the run grows: $11.45 at 24, $8.25 at 100, $7.45 at 250.
The ink sits on top of the fabric. It is the boldest print you can get.
What is direct-to-garment?
The shirt goes through a garment printer, straight from your file. No setup, so one shirt costs the same each as ten. Photos and any number of colors print in one pass.
The ink soaks into the cotton, so it feels soft. On dark shirts the colors come out a touch less vivid than a screen print.
Can you match my brand color?
On orders of 24 or more, yes. Put your Pantone codes in the order notes and the proof names the colors. Under 24, the printer uses the colors in your file, which come close but are not Pantone matched.
Ink on dark shirts
Light ink gets a white underbase, included. Avoid thin lines and tiny text in light ink. The proof, within 24 hours, shows the exact combination.
Ink on light shirts
Dark ink prints sharp down to fine detail. Avoid white ink on white or sand shirts. Send a PNG with a transparent background so a white box does not print.
How do I wash printed shirts?
- Turn it inside out.
- Wash cold. No bleach or fabric softener.
- Dry low or hang dry. High heat cracks prints.
- Do not iron the print.
- Wait a day after delivery before the first wash.
Printing questions
Which printing method will my order get?
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Quantity decides. Under 24 of a design is direct-to-garment. 24 or more is screen printed. The studio shows the method next to the price.
Can I choose screen printing for a small order?
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Not on the website. Below 24 the screens would cost more than the shirts. If you need it for a specific reason, contact us for a quote.
Can I get DTG for a bulk order with a photo on it?
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Yes. Say so in the order notes. We confirm the price with the proof.
Does screen printing match Pantone colors?
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Yes. Put the codes in the order notes and the proof names the colors. Direct-to-garment prints the colors in your file, close but not Pantone matched.
Why does white ink on a dark shirt cost the same as black ink on white?
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We price by quantity and print sides, not ink color. The white underbase on dark shirts is included.
How should I wash printed shirts?
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Inside out, cold water, no bleach, dry low or hang dry. Do not iron the print.
Will the print fade or crack?
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Not with normal care. Wash inside out in cold water and skip high heat in the dryer. The print should outlast the shirt.
Related pages
Not sure which fits your art? Ask us before you order.
Let the quantity pick the method.
Type how many you need and the studio shows the price and the method.