DTG vs Screen Printing vs Embroidery: Which Printing Method Should You Choose?

DTG Printing: Detail Without the Minimum Order

Direct-to-Garment printing pushes water-based ink straight onto fabric using a specialised inkjet printer. Simple concept, impressive results.

Best for:

• Small or one-off orders

• Full-colour designs, gradients, and photo-quality prints

• Personalised garments with no bulk requirement

Worth knowing:

• Performs best on 100% cotton fabrics

• Colours can soften slightly after repeated washing

• Cost per unit stays consistent, which suits small quantities well

DTG is the go-to when detail matters, and quantity is low. One shirt, ten shirts, a sample run. It handles all of that without a problem.

Screen Printing: The Bulk Order Champion

Screen printing has been around for decades, and honestly, it has earned its reputation. Each colour in a design gets its own screen, and ink is pressed through layer by layer. Old technique, reliable outcome.

Best for:

• Large orders where the cost per unit needs to drop

• Bold, clean designs with a small number of colours

• Prints that need to survive serious wear and washing

Worth knowing:

• Setup costs are higher because every colour needs a separate screen

• Not great for detailed artwork or multi-tone gradients

• Minimum order quantities typically apply

If you are ordering 50 or more identical pieces, screen printing is almost always the most cost-effective route. The finish is strong, the colours stay vivid, and the prints hold up over time.

Embroidery: When the Finish Has to Feel Premium

Embroidery is a different thing entirely. No ink, no spray. The thread is stitched directly into the garment, and that changes how the final product looks and feels.

Best for:

• Corporate clothing, staff uniforms, and workwear

• Polo shirts, caps, hoodies, and jackets

• Logos and brand names that need a polished, textured finish

Worth knowing:

• Fine detail and photographic images do not translate well into stitch

• Works across a broader range of fabrics than most print methods

• Slightly higher cost per unit, but the quality reads immediately

There is something about embroidered branding that ink just cannot match. A logo stitched onto a polo shirt carries a different kind of weight. Clients notice it.

Which One Is Right for Your Project?

Three questions cut through the decision quickly: how many pieces, how complex is the design, and what is the garment being used for?

• A small run of detailed T-shirts? DTG is your answer.

• Bulk event shirts with a simple two-colour logo? Screen printing wins on cost.

• Team uniforms or corporate clothing? Embroidery is the clear choice.

Exact Print covers all three methods, from custom T-shirt printing and personalised hoodies through to embroidered workwear and branded corporate clothing. Many products carry no minimum order requirement, which makes it straightforward whether you need one item or one hundred.

Choose the Method That Fits the Job

No single printing method wins every situation. DTG is effective when flexibility and detail are important. Screen printing is provided where volume and cost efficiency are the main concerns. Embroidery brings a premium finish that ink cannot replicate. Have a purpose, and align it with the appropriate approach, and the outcome will be self-explanatory.