Guide
DTF, screen printing or embroidery: which should you choose?
Three ways to put a design on a garment, and each one suits a different job. The right choice comes down to how many you need, what the artwork looks like and what it is going on.
Find your methodDTF print
Screen printing
Embroidery
The short answer
Three methods, three jobs
DTF print
Your design is printed in full colour onto a film, then heat-pressed onto the garment.
Choose it when
You need a few pieces, or the artwork is a photo, a gradient or many colours.
More about DTF printingScreen printing
Ink is pushed through a mesh stencil straight onto the garment, one colour at a time.
Choose it when
You want a bigger run of a bold design in a few solid colours.
More about screen printingEmbroidery
Your logo is converted into a stitch file and sewn into the garment with thread.
Choose it when
You want a logo on polos, caps, jackets or workwear that looks premium and lasts.
More about embroideryTry it
Find your method
Answer three questions about your job. The three methods re-rank as you change the answers, with the reasons shown for each.
- EmbroideryAlso works
- Small logos stitch cleanly and read as premium.
- Screen printingNot for this job
- Screen printing starts at 25 pieces.
The detail
Side by side
DTF print | Screen printing | Embroidery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum order | From 1 piece | 25 pieces | From 1 piece |
| Before production | Nothing to make first. No screens and no stitch file. | A screen is made for every colour before printing starts. | Your logo is digitised into a stitch file once, then kept on file. |
| Colours and detail | Unlimited colours, photos, gradients and fine detail | Up to 6 solid colours. No photos or gradients. | Solid thread colours. No gradients, and very small text loses clarity. |
| How it feels | A thin, smooth layer on top of the fabric | Soft, light ink that sits in the fabric | Raised, textured stitching |
| Works best on | Tees, hoodies and totes. Small prints on caps. | Tees, hoodies and totes. Large prints. | Polos, caps, beanies, jackets and workwear. |
| Standard turnaround | 3–5 business days | 7–10 business days | 5–7 business days |
| Cost per piece as quantity grows | Stays much the same per piece | Drops a lot as the run grows | Falls with quantity. Set mainly by stitch count. |
Screen printing is the only one with a setup for every colour. Here is why it has setup costs and a minimum.
The honest part
Where each one falls down
DTF print
- A large solid design feels heavier on the garment than a screen print.
- The cost per piece barely falls on a big run.
- It cannot go on puffer jackets, and polyester sportswear needs a different transfer.
Screen printing
- There is a 25-piece minimum, and a setup for every colour.
- It prints solid colours only, so photos and gradients are out.
- It has the longest turnaround of the three.
Embroidery
- Thread cannot reproduce photos, gradients or very fine detail.
- A large stitched design gets heavy and stiff, especially on a lightweight tee.
- The bigger and denser the design, the more stitches it takes.
On the garment
What they look like finished
Embroidery
Screen printing
Embroidery
Screen printingYou do not have to pick just one
Methods can be combined on the same garment. An embroidered logo on the chest with a printed design on the back is a common pairing: the stitching gives the front a premium finish, and the print carries the big artwork without the weight.
Quick answers
Choosing a method FAQ
Is DTF the same as a digital transfer?
Yes. DTF stands for direct to film. We call the same service digital transfers elsewhere on the site.
Which method is cheapest?
It depends on the job. For a small run it is usually DTF, because nothing has to be set up first. For a big run in a few solid colours it is usually screen printing. Embroidery is driven by how many stitches the design needs. The customiser prices each method for your exact job.
Which lasts longest?
Embroidery is the hardest wearing, which is why it is the standard on workwear and uniforms. Screen printing is known for long-term wash performance. For any print, wash the garment inside out on a cool cycle to get the most from it.
Can I use more than one method on the same garment?
Yes. A common combination is an embroidered logo on the chest with a printed design on the back.
What if my artwork is not print-ready?
Upload what you have. The customiser checks the resolution as you place it, and you get a proof to approve before anything is produced.
Try it on your own artwork
Pick a garment and add your design in the customiser. You can switch between methods and see the price for each before you order.