Screen Print vs DTF – What to Opt?

The Art of Screen Printing

What is Screen Printing?

The screen-printing process is the more traditional and classic style of pushing ink through a woven mesh stencil and onto fabric. Each colour of ink requires a separate screen, so this method usually works best for designs with very few colours.

How the designs are made to travel to the special transfer paper by the use of screen-printing techniques. A heat press machine is applied on the transfer paper attaching it on the clothes and enabling it to paste the paper on the garment using a high temperature.

Pros of Screen Printing

• Known for producing vibrant, long-lasting prints that endure repeated washing.
• Ideal for large quantities due to the setup involved.
• Offers a unique hand feel where you can feel the ink on the fabric.

Cons of Screen Printing

• Due to the setup required, it’s less economical for smaller runs.
• Best suited for designs with fewer colors.
• Each color needs a separate screen, increasing the complexity for multi-coloured designs.

The Rise of DTF Printing

What is DTF?

DTF printing is a new printing technique where printing is directly set on the special film by garment decoration and then transferred onto a piece of garment with heat press. These can give ease in designing and providing colorful printability and are usually very popular with garment decorators.

In this process, the DTF begins with digital printing of the design on special film with the DTF printer and ink. Carefully set and adjusted when printed, the film is to be stuck to the garment using indigenous heat-sensitive adhesive. In this way, by applying heat and pressure to the garment with the attached film, heat transfers the ink onto the fabric.

In the Direct to Film printing technology, a design goes straight away to a special film and then to the fabric by means of a heat press.

Pros of DTF Printing

• Works on a variety of fabrics like cotton, polyester, a blends.
• Cost-effective for short runs as it doesn’t require a setup for each color.
• Capable of handling complex, multi-colored designs with ease.

Cons of DTF Printing

• Requires specific printers and materials which can be a substantial initial investment.
• The surface texture on the print can be a very unique feel; something screen printing just can’t obtain.

Comparing the Techniques

Comparing the Techniques	DTF Printing	Screen Print Transfers
Printing Proces	Involves printing designs directly onto a film material.	Involves printing designs onto transfer paper using screen printing techniques.
	Simplified digital printing process with minimal setup.	Traditional screen printing method requiring complex stencil creation.
Color Reproduction	Enables precise colour reproduction and intricate details.	Offers vibrant prints with excellent colour retention.
	Advanced technology allows for accurate color matching.	Specialised inks and techniques ensure vivid and lasting colors.
Setup Time	Requires minimal setup, ideal for quick turnaround times.	Involves complex stencil creation, leading to longer setup times.
	Digital process eliminates the need for manual stencil preparation.	Extensive setup may not be suitable for small batch orders.
Cost-Effectiveness	Economical for smaller orders and designs with multiple colors.	Cost-effective for large volume orders due to efficiency in mass production.
	Reduced setup time and labor costs contribute to overall savings.	Setup costs may be higher but offset by lower per-unit costs for large orders.
	Offers competitive pricing for custom and on-demand printing.	Economies of scale make it favorable for high-volume printing.
Production Process	Traditional method with complex stencil creation.	Digital printing with simpler setup and operations.
Printing Effect	Special printing effects like luminous, fluorescent, glitter, crackle and foam.	Developing technology with emerging possibilities for special effects.
Applicability	Widely used in various industries such as fabrics, packaging, logos & advertising.	Mainly used in apparel production for various fabric materials.

DTF vs Screen Print Transfers

Comparison of Best Use Cases: DTF vs. Screen Print Transfer

DTF	Screen Print Transfer
Custom apparel	Apparel branding
Enables creation of personalised garments with vibrant colors and intricate designs, suitable for custom apparel businesses.	Widely used for branding garments like t-shirts, hoodies, and jerseys, offering durability and color vibrancy.
Promotional products	Team uniforms
Used to customise promotional items such as bags, hats, and accessories, offering branding opportunities for businesses.	Popular for customising team uniforms and sports apparel, providing vibrant and durable prints for rigorous use.
Fashion and merchandise	Event merchandise
Allows fashion designers and merchandise creators to bring designs to life with detailed prints on garments.	Utilised for creating custom merchandise for events like concerts, festivals, and fundraisers, offering branding opportunities and promotional value.
Interior decor	Corporate branding
DTF printing can be applied to fabrics for interior decor such as pillows, curtains, and upholstery, offering customised design options.	Screen print transfers are ideal for corporate branding on uniforms, office supplies, and promotional materials, ensuring consistent branding across various mediums.
Accessories	Product packaging
Ideal for customising accessories like hats, bags, and footwear, allowing for unique designs and branding opportunities.	Screen print transfers are used for product packaging, adding logos, labels, and decorative elements to enhance brand recognition and product appeal.
Special events	Merchandising
DTF printing can create customised apparel and accessories for special events like weddings, parties, and concerts, offering personalisloed keepsakes and memorabilia.	Screen print transfers are employed for merchandising purposes, creating branded merchandise for retail sale, giveaways, and promotional events, increasing brand visibility and customer engagement.