Many of you ask us which technique is better: screen printing or direct digital printing (DTG). We decided to create this post to dispel some myths and help you better evaluate which method is best for your production .
When you start your own t-shirt line, one of the first things you'll need to decide is which printing method to use. There are several options available these days, but we can confidently say that the two most popular techniques are screen printing and direct digital printing (DTG).
We at Burger-print.nl offer both customization techniques (we also offer others like embroidery , but shall we focus on these today ? ) and we are sure that our advice will be useful in evaluating which technique to choose to best produce your personalized t-shirts or clothing.
Let's start right away with screen printing.
SILKSCREEN PRINTING
How does it work?
Screen printing is a process used since the dawn of printing. It's a mechanical printing method that involves pushing ink through a fabric stretched over a special frame, previously exposed with the design to be printed. Using screen printing carousels, the frames are assembled and calibrated as needed. The ink is then pushed onto the frame by a squeegee to pass through the openings directly onto the garment.
Things You Should Know About Screen Printing
With screen printing, you can apply only one color at a time. Therefore, the number of colors on a T-shirt is limited by the characteristics of the machine used. Each additional color requires a dedicated screen, additional time for setup, preparation, and printing, all of which translates into higher costs compared to a single-color print. This is why screen printing is particularly suitable when you need to create simple, single-color designs and/or when you produce multiple T-shirts with the same design in a single run.
How to properly prepare files for screen printing?
The final print result is directly proportional to the quality of the file provided. However, don't worry, because we at Burger-print.nl will send you a print proof before proceeding with the process. This will also include an assessment of the file quality from one of our experts. If there are any issues, you can still intervene to resolve them. Check out this page to learn more about how to properly prepare files for screen printing.
Advantages of Screen Printing ?
- convenient for large orders
- Ideal for simple drawings
- It is possible to use special colors (gold, silver, fluorescent, etc.)
- managing the positioning of the design on the product
Disadvantages of Screen Printing ?
- the more complex the design, the more it costs to make
- There are fixed costs for preparation and setup
- possibility of printing only one graphic per order
- minimum 50 pieces per subject
Now we move on to direct digital printing or DTG (Direct to Garment printer)
DIRECT DIGITAL PRINTING (DTG)
How does it work?
With DTG printing , a printer applies ink directly to the T-shirt using inkjet technology. To help you better understand what it's all about, we can compare the textile printers we use to common printers, like the ones you might have at home, with which you print on thicker paper and which instead of sheets are fed by the T-shirt .
These special printers can produce complex designs even in a single print run, without any setup or press costs. Furthermore, direct digital printing uses water-based inks with special certifications (such as Oeko-Tex 100, to name one) that are absorbed by the garment's fibers for an exceptional final print result.
Things You Should Know About Direct Digital Printing or DTG
Because printing is performed by a computer program, DTG printers are extremely precise and capable of producing prints with very fine details without having to worry about color limitations. This makes them a versatile system, particularly suitable for small to medium-sized production runs, very complex designs, the need to restock even small batches over time, or for all-color applications requiring many different prints in the same order.
This is also a great option for those who don't have a large initial budget but want to start their brand without sacrificing quality.
We also created a video to help you better understand this technique.
How to properly prepare files for direct digital printing or DTG?
Here too, the result depends on the quality of the file sent for printing. Digital printing, unlike screen printing, allows you to print even poor-quality files while maintaining an excellent final result. This printing technique also requires a formal draft before proceeding to production, so you can be sure—we'll take care of everything .
Check out this page to learn more about how to properly prepare files for direct digital printing.
Advantages of direct digital printing ?
- ability to print detailed drawings and photographs
- Ideal for medium/small sized orders
- possibility of also making single samples
- no minimum initial investment
- possibility of creating multiple subjects in the same order
Disadvantages of direct digital printing ?
- not suitable for large orders
- limited placement of the design on the product
- It is not possible to use special colors (gold, silver, fluorescent, etc.)
CONCLUSIONS
Which printing method is best?
We can therefore say that both solutions are valid and that choosing one or the other depends on the type of work, the design, and the quantity you need to produce. Both screen printing and direct digital printing (DTG) produce high-quality, long-lasting prints.
If you still have questions after reading this informative article, send us an email or chat directly on the website. We'll be more than happy to discuss the best printing technique for your needs.
