The 10-second answer
Ordering a lot of shirts with a bold, few-color design? Screen printing gives you the lowest price per shirt and the most durable print. Need a photo, lots of colors, or just a handful of shirts? DTG (direct-to-garment) prints full color with no setup fees. Putting a logo on polos, hats, jackets, or bags that should look premium and last for years? Embroidery — stitched, not printed.
Screen print vs DTG vs embroidery, side by side
| Screen Printing | DTG (Direct-to-Garment) | Embroidery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Ink pushed through a screen per color | Inkjet-style print into the fabric | Design stitched with thread |
| Best quantity | Medium to large runs | 1 to a few dozen | Any — great for logos |
| Colors / detail | Best for 1–4 bold colors | Unlimited colors, photo-ready | Limited by thread colors; no fine gradients |
| Setup fees | Yes (per color/screen) | None | Digitizing fee (one-time per design) |
| Durability | Excellent | Good | Excellent — outlasts the garment |
| Feels | Ink layer on fabric | Soft, printed into fabric | Raised stitched texture |
| Best for | Team/event/merch shirts in bulk | Detailed art, photos, small batches | Polos, hats, jackets, uniforms, bags |
Quantity and color count decide it. Bulk + few colors → screen print. Few pieces + full color → DTG. A logo that needs to look premium → embroidery.
Screen printing: the volume champion
Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil, one screen per color. There's a setup cost for each color, so it's not ideal for tiny orders — but once you're printing dozens or hundreds, the price per shirt drops fast and the print is thick, vivid, and extremely durable. It's the standard for team shirts, event merch, staff uniforms, and anything bulk with a clean 1–4 color design.
DTG: photos & small runs
Direct-to-garment works like an inkjet printer for fabric: it sprays the design straight into the cotton. Because there are no screens to make, there are no setup fees and no color limits — so it's perfect for detailed artwork, photographs, gradients, and small quantities (even a single shirt). The print feels soft. It's ideal for one-offs, prototypes, detailed designs, and print-on-demand style orders.
Embroidery: premium & durable
Embroidery stitches your design into the garment with thread. It reads as premium and professional, adds a nice raised texture, and lasts as long as the garment itself — it won't crack or fade like a print can. It's the go-to for company logos on polos, dress shirts, hats, beanies, jackets, and bags. Best for simpler logos and text; very fine detail and photo-realistic art don't translate to thread.
What your artwork needs
How to choose
Put your brand on it.
Tell us the garment, the design, and the quantity — we'll match you to the right method and price it out.
Start a Custom Apparel Order âš¡ Apparel GuideFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between screen printing, DTG, and embroidery?
Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil, one screen per color, and is cheapest for bulk orders with a few colors. DTG (direct-to-garment) prints full color directly into the fabric with no setup fees, ideal for detailed art and small runs. Embroidery stitches the design with thread for a premium, durable logo on items like polos and hats.
Which is cheaper, screen printing or DTG?
For large quantities with a simple design, screen printing is cheaper per shirt because the setup cost spreads across many pieces. For small orders, DTG is usually cheaper because it has no setup or screen fees.
Is DTG or screen printing more durable?
Screen printing is generally more durable, producing a thick, long-lasting print that holds up to many washes. DTG is good quality and soft to the touch but typically not quite as long-lasting as screen printing.
When should I choose embroidery over printing?
Choose embroidery when you want a premium, professional look that lasts as long as the garment — ideal for company logos on polos, dress shirts, hats, jackets, and bags. It's best for simpler logos and text rather than photos or fine gradients.
Can I order just one custom shirt?
Yes. DTG is designed for small runs and even single shirts because it has no setup fees, making it the best method for one-off or low-quantity custom apparel.