Types of Textile Printing
If you decide to apply a design to textile using printing, several options are available. Each technology has its own advantages, limits and ideal use.
It is not true that there is one universally best type of printing. With every order, the material, number of pieces, number of colours, size of the graphic, budget and expected result all matter. That is why we always try to choose the method that will be the most suitable for each specific order.
In this article, you will find an overview of the basic types of printing you may come across with us: screen printing, DTG, DTF and sublimation.
Screen printing
Screen printing is one of the most traditional and most widely used methods of textile printing. In terms of preparation, it is a more demanding technology, but when processed correctly, it offers high quality, strong colours and excellent durability.
In screen printing, the design is transferred onto textile through a prepared screen. If the design has one colour, one screen is prepared. If the design has six colours, six separate screens need to be prepared.
The ink is then pushed through the stencil onto the textile and, after application, it is heat-cured. The correct preparation, choice of inks and curing process are what determine the final quality.
It may sound simple, but anyone who has worked with screen printing knows that this is not a five-minute preparation. It requires precision, experience and careful setup of the whole process.
- for larger orders, approximately from 30 pieces,
- for simpler designs with a limited number of colours,
- for printing where high durability and strong colours are important.
For small quantities, screen printing may be more expensive because the screen preparation cost is spread across the number of pieces.
DTG printing
DTG stands for Direct to Garment, meaning printing directly onto textile. It works similarly to a regular printer, except that instead of paper, a T-shirt or another textile product is printed.
The biggest advantage of DTG printing is that there is no limitation in the number of colours. It is therefore suitable for detailed graphics, photographs, shading and smaller orders where screen printing preparation would not make sense.
Before printing, the textile is cleaned and prepared, and in the case of dark materials, an underbase layer is also applied. After printing, the print is cured in a heat press.
Compared to screen printing, the disadvantage may be speed with larger quantities. Each piece goes through the process separately, so for hundreds of pieces, another method may be more efficient.
- for smaller orders,
- for full-colour designs and photographs,
- when detailed graphics need to be printed without screen preparation.
DTF printing
DTF stands for Direct to Film. It is a modern method in which the design is first printed onto a special transfer film and then transferred to the textile using heat.
DTF combines several advantages: it allows full-colour designs, is suitable even for smaller quantities and can be used on different types of materials. In practice, it is a very versatile solution.
A well-processed DTF print can compete very well with screen printing. It is flexible, durable and, when applied correctly, can handle normal wearing and washing.
Another advantage is easier maintenance. With larger printed areas, the print may sometimes appear uneven after being creased. In many cases, it can be gently flattened through baking paper with a short ironing, but always carefully and without direct contact between the iron and the print.
- for full-colour designs,
- for small and medium-sized series,
- for textile where DTG or screen printing is not suitable,
- for orders where a good balance of price, quality and flexibility is important.
Sublimation printing
Sublimation is a method in which the colour is transferred into the fibres of the material using heat and pressure. The print therefore does not sit on the surface as a layer, but becomes part of the fabric itself.
It works best on polyester materials, which is why it is mainly used for sportswear, jerseys, scarves, flags, towels, keyrings and other products suitable for sublimation.
A major advantage is unlimited colour options and the possibility of all-over printing. A sublimated design cannot be felt to the touch and, with the right material, has excellent durability.
- for sports jerseys and functional clothing,
- for full-print hoodies or T-shirts,
- for flags, scarves and promotional items,
- for designs that are meant to cover the entire surface of the product.
Quick comparison of printing methods
| Method | Biggest advantage | Limitation | Suitable use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | Excellent durability and strong colours | More expensive preparation with small quantities | Larger series, simpler designs |
| DTG | Detailed full-colour printing directly onto textile | Slower with large quantities | Smaller series, photographs, fine details |
| DTF | Versatility and full-colour graphics | With large areas, it is more noticeable to the touch | Small and medium-sized series, different materials |
| Sublimation | The print becomes part of the material | Works best on polyester | Jerseys, flags, scarves, full-print products |
Which printing method should you choose?
The best printing method depends on what you want to produce. We would recommend a different solution for ten T-shirts with a full-colour design, another for a hundred pieces with a simple logo, and another for an all-over printed hoodie or jersey.
That is why the best option is to send us the design, number of pieces and information about the textile the print should be applied to. Based on that, we can recommend the technology that will be the best in terms of price, quality and final appearance.
Not sure which printing method is the best for you?
Send us your design, number of pieces and type of textile. We will look at the production options and recommend the most suitable printing technology for you.
Write to info@umwear.com