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Home > Products News

What Is DTG Printing And Screen Printing?

Views : 71
Update time : 2022-12-08 17:11:48
What Is DTG Printing And Screen Printing?
You may have heard of direct to garment printing (DTG) or screen printing if you've been looking for a way to create custom-printed clothing. But what is DTG printing? DTG vs screen printing- which one’s better?

So, if you too are curious about these questions, and want to find the answers, then keep reading!
What Is DTG Printing?
DTG printing is nothing but printing on textiles with the use of inkjet technology. With direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, digital images are printed directly onto the fabric of the garment, and they are printed in full colour with a high level of precision and detail. This process allows for incredibly intricate designs, fool proof colour matching, and complete customization! While traditional methods of textile printing (such as screen printing) have their benefits, they also come with certain limitations. 

With DTG Printing, there are no setup fees or template charges, meaning you can print any design, no matter how complex or detailed, without incurring additional costs. Additionally, because the design is printed directly onto the fabric using high-quality inks, there’s no need to heat set your garments, which means fewer chemicals are used overall in the production process.

It is highly recommended that you give some thought to using DTG printing for the purpose of printing your designs onto t-shirts because it is both an original method and an economical one. Thanks to recent advancements in technology, the quality of DTG printers has significantly increased, making them an increasingly popular choice for businesses and individuals alike!
What Is Screen Printing?
While screen printing, ink is transferred onto a substrate using a mesh, with the exception of any areas that have had a blocking stencil applied to make those areas impermeable to the ink. 

The open mesh apertures on the screen are filled with ink using a blade or squeegee, which is then moved across the screen to create an image on the printed surface. Screen printing offers high-quality prints that are durable and long-lasting. The process uses less paint than traditional methods, which makes it more cost-effective for mass production. 

It is frequently used for promotional items such as t-shirts, posters, and banners. Furthermore, screen-printed products have a high-quality look and feel that is perfect for any type of business or marketing campaign!
DTG vs Screen Printing- What’s The Difference?
When comparing DTG printing vs screen printing, the main difference lies in their primary working mechanism. DTG works by spraying ink directly on fabric whereas screen printers have a stencilled mechanism that block ink from reaching certain parts!

This means that complex designs can be printed more accurately with fewer colour limitations on soft fabrics using Direct-to-Garment technology. Moreover, screen printing usually requires a thicker layer of ink, which can make the print feel heavy or stiff, especially on lighter-weight garments. 

Because each colour in a multi-coloured design needs its own separate screen, one big advantage of direct-to-garment digital printers is their ability to print multiple colours without having to change screens for every single colour, like you have to when doing traditional silk screening. 

DTG also uses water-based inks, which penetrate the fibres of the garment, resulting in a softer feel!
Advantages And Disadvantages Of DTG Printing
Advantages
Printing with a DTG printer offers a number of benefits, including:

●Zero setup cost: When using conventional screen printing, you will frequently be required to pay exorbitant setup or art fees, which can significantly increase the total cost of your project. However, with DTG printing, there are no such costs since the design file is simply sent directly to the printer.

●Full-colour prints: With DTG printing methods, you can easily produce full-colour prints at zero additional cost. This means that you can include as much detail in your design as you like without worrying about extra fees!

●Quick TAT: DTG printing is perfect for smaller runs of garments or other textile products because there are no setup fees associated with the process. This means that you can have your order delivered much faster than with traditional methods since there’s no need to wait for screens to be prepared, etc.
Disadvantages
There are also some disadvantages associated with DTG printing:

●Higher per unit cost: While DTG Printing may have lower upfront costs than other methods such as screen printing, the overall per unit cost is often higher simply due to the nature of digital technologies, which frequently require specialized (and thus expensive) equipment as well as ongoing maintenance and upkeep expenses.

●Limited fabric choices: You cannot perform DTG printing over a large variety of substrates; something which you can easily do with screen printing! Due to the nature of how digital inks are cured onto fabrics, not all textile products are suitable for this method, so you may need to limit your choice of garments depending on what kind of design you want to print.

●Possible colour variations: Because each garment is printed individually (as opposed to being part of a larger "batch"), there could be some slight variation in colours from one piece to another.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Screen Printing
Advantages
There are many advantages to screen printing, including:

●Versatility: Screen printing can be done on a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, fabric, metal, wood, glass, ceramic tiles, mugs, etc. The list goes on! This makes it ideal for all sorts of projects, from promotional materials to unique home décor items.

●Cost-effective: Once the setup costs have been covered, screen printing is relatively inexpensive when compared to other print methods. This makes it great for large-scale projects where budget is an important consideration.

●Quick turnaround time: Screen printing is a fast printing method, which is perfect if you need your project completed quickly.
Disadvantages
There are also some disadvantages associated with screen printing:

●High set-up costs: The initial set-up costs for screen printing can be expensive, especially if you require multiple screens for colour prints. However, once the screens have been created, they can be reused many times over, so the per-print cost eventually comes down.

●Limited colour options: Screen printing typically only allows for a select few colours to be printed at once, although there are workarounds available (such as using CMYK process inks or halftone dots), so the process is still limited in this regard.

●Not ideal for fine detail: Screen printing is best used for larger, more graphic designs as opposed to small text or intricate images. If your design is very detailed, it might not print clearly when screen printed.
Which Jobs Are DTG Suitable For?
DTG printing is ideal for smaller runs of garments, making it perfect for customized and personalized merchandise.However, what kinds of items are best suited for DTG? Well, here’s a look at some of the most popular ones:
1.Custom Apparel: 
DTG is a great way to produce custom apparel for your business or brand. With no minimum order requirements, you can print exactly what you need, when you need it. This makes DTG ideal for small batches or one-off items.
2.Personalized Gifts: 
Have an idea for a unique gift? Printing it with a DTG machine will bring it to life! Whether it’s a t-shirt with an inside joke or a mug with someone’s name and face on it, personalization options are endless, making every gift extra special.
3.Event Promotions: 
Got an upcoming event or sale? Create some eye-catching promotional materials using DTG printing! T-shirts, flyers, banners—whatever you need to get people pumped up about your event. Plus, since there are no minimum orders required, you can easily print in small quantities as needed (perfect if last-minute decisions happen).
4.Home Decor: 
Spruce up your home with some personalized home decor made using DTG printing! From pillowcases and duvet covers to wall hangings and tapestries, the possibilities are endless (and limited only by your imagination). Not to mention that adding that personal touch always makes things feel more "homey."
5.Custom Art: 
Finally, DTG printing is also a great way to0 bring your custom artwork to life! Since, using DTG means that it will last longer and stay truer to the original colours.
DTG Printing vs Screen Printing- Which Is Better?
Now that you have a complete understanding of what is DTG printing and screen printing, as well as the benefits and drawbacks associated with each of these processes, it is time to compare DTG vs screen printing based on 7 distinct criteria!
1. Quality
DTG printing unquestionably has an upper hand when compared to other printing methods in terms of the general print quality. Because the ink is applied directly to the fabric, the resulting image is much more distinct and has a more vibrant colour palette. 

On top of that, because there is no need for screens or emulsions, you don’t have to worry about any imperfections in your design being magnified during the printing process. In general, the print quality produced by DTG is superior to that produced by screen printing. 

However, keep in mind that not all fabrics are suitable for direct garment printing; you may get better results with screen-printed tees on certain types of clothing, like polyester performance wear.
2. Durability
In terms of durability, both methods are quite durable, but there are some slight advantages and disadvantages depending on which method you choose. With screen-printed shirts, you do run the risk of them cracking or fading over time, especially if you don’t properly care for them according to the washing instructions provided by the manufacturer. 

Additionally, the designs on screen-printed shirts are usually applied on top of the fabric, which means that there is a higher chance of them peeling or flaking—especially if you accidentally snag the shirt on something. On the other hand, DTG prints are actually embedded into the fibres of the garment, which makes them much more resistant to fading, peeling, and cracking. 

However, because each DTG print is unique (since it’s made directly onto the fabric), you do run a slightly higher risk of having your design come out "off centre" or with imperfections.
3. Design Complexity
Another huge advantage that DTG has over screen printing is design complexity. With direct-to-garment printing, there are basically no limits in terms of what you can put on your clothing. 

You can print full-colour images, gradient fades, photographs—anything! When used on intricate designs, screen printing frequently necessitates the use of multiple screens and colours, which can quickly drive up the cost. 

Not to mention, some types of detailed artwork simply cannot be reproduced through traditional methods like screen printing.
4. Sustainability
DTG has a much lower environmental impact than screen printing since it doesn't require any water or chemicals in the printing process. 

Additionally, DTG shirts can be printed on demand, which reduces waste compared to screen-printed shirts that may sit in inventory for months before being sold.
5. Minimum Order Quantity
Screen printing has a higher minimum order quantity than DTG since each colour needs its own stencil and set-up time, whereas with DTG, all colours can be printed at once from one image file. 

This makes sense given that mass-produced items like t-shirts are typically more economical when done via screen printing, while smaller quantities like 1-2 custom tees would make more sense using direct-to-garment technology.
6. Production Time
Screen printing generally requires 2 weeks or longer due to curing times between layers, but some brands have developed quick-dry ink technologies that allow for faster turnarounds without sacrificing quality or durability. 

DTG printing also take around 48 hours from start to finish, but they don't usually need as much lead time, so if you're working with shorter timelines, then this might be your best bet.

Of course, delays can happen with either method, depending on things like the number of colours used, the size and complexity of the design, and the availability of materials!
7. Average Cost
The average cost of a screen-printed shirt is $5–$7, while the average cost of a DTG shirt is $9–$11. However, it's important to note that there are many variables that can affect the price, such as volume discounts, design complexity, etc. 

In general, though, you can expect to pay slightly more for a DTG-printed tee than one that was screen-printed, but keep in mind that with DTG printing there are often no setup fees, so your total costs may be lower depending on your project goals!
Conclusion
So, this concludes our article on what is DTG printing, screen printing and DTG printing vs screen printing. We hope that you found this article interesting and informative, and it helped you choose the ideal printing method according to your needs!

Also, if you have a clothing line and are just getting started, then you might need a trustable garment manufacturer. Well, we have an ideal one that will surely suit your needs- Lanwo Clothing.

They are a leading garment manufacturing business based out of China and they specialize in sample making, pattern designing and quality control. Make sure to check them out!
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