Printing methods explained: DTG vs DTF vs screen print vs vinyl.

Four mainstream methods dominate UK garment printing in 2026: DTG, DTF, screen printing, and heat-transfer vinyl (HTV). Each has a place. Each has limitations. Most printers will have a favourite — usually whichever one their machines are best at — but the right choice depends entirely on your job.

This is the comprehensive reference. Bookmark it.

1. DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

How it works

A specialised inkjet printer prints directly onto the t-shirt. Water-based inks are absorbed into the fabric fibres. The garment is then heat-cured to set the inks permanently.

Strengths

• Photo-realistic detail and gradients
• Soft hand feel — the print sits inside the fabric, not on top
• No setup costs (great for one-offs)
• Accurate colour reproduction for complex artwork

Limitations

• Best on 100% cotton (synthetic blends absorb ink poorly)
• Slower per-garment than other methods (1–3 minutes each)
• Requires pre-treatment for dark garments (extra step, extra cost)
• Print may look slightly faded vs DTF on dark fabric

Cost (UK 2026)

£4–8 per print on a t-shirt, depending on size and dark/light fabric.

Best for

Photographic artwork on white/light cotton t-shirts. One-offs and small runs. POD operations.

2. DTF (Direct-to-Film)

How it works

A printer prints the design onto a clear film. While the ink is still wet, adhesive powder is applied. The film is heated to cure the powder. The transfer is then heat-pressed onto the garment, leaving the design behind.

Strengths

• Works on any fabric — cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, denim, canvas, leather
• Full colour with no per-colour setup
• Vivid colours, fully opaque on dark fabrics
• Sharp detail down to 1mm fonts
• No minimum order — just as cost-effective for 1 piece as 50
• Transfers can be made in advance and pressed when needed

Limitations

• Slightly raised, rubbery hand feel (less natural than DTG or screen)
• Cheap DTF (low-quality films and inks) cracks within months — always ask which suppliers
• Not ideal for heavy industrial laundry (90°C+ commercial wash cycles)

Cost (UK 2026)

£3–6 per print on a t-shirt. Bulk DTF transfer rolls work out at £8–18 per metre, with ~50 chest-sized prints per metre.

Best for

Multi-colour artwork at any quantity. Mixed-fabric jobs. Small UK brands. Anyone who needs flexibility.

3. Screen printing

How it works

A separate stencil (screen) is created for each colour in the design. Ink is pushed through the screen onto the garment. Each garment is pressed under each screen in turn, then heat-cured to set the inks.

Strengths

• Lowest cost per garment at scale (100+ pieces)
• Most durable method — survives 100+ industrial washes
• Premium hand feel and finish
• Can use specialty inks: metallic, glow-in-dark, puff, fluorescent
• Industry standard for retail-quality merchandise

Limitations

• High setup cost (£15–30 per screen, one screen per colour)
• Not viable for small runs (fewer than 25–50 pieces)
• Limited colours per design (4–6 colours max practically)
• Slow turnaround for new designs (screen prep takes hours)
• Can't reproduce photographic gradients well

Cost (UK 2026)

£2–4 per print at quantity 100+. Setup: £15–30 per colour per design.

Best for

Bulk runs (100+) of designs with 1–4 solid colours. Brand merchandise for resale. Sportswear basics.

4. Heat-Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

How it works

Coloured vinyl sheets are cut to shape with a plotter (a precision cutter). The negative material is removed (weeded), and the vinyl shape is heat-pressed onto the garment.

Strengths

• Sharpest edges of any method
• Fastest production for single-colour names and numbers
• Specialty vinyls: reflective, glitter, holographic, glow-in-dark
• Extremely durable — outlasts most prints
• Great for sportswear and team kit

Limitations

• Each colour requires a separate vinyl layer (slow and expensive for multi-colour)
• Can't reproduce gradients or photographic detail
• Slightly plastic feel (especially noticeable on large designs)
• Manual labour-intensive (cutting and weeding)

Cost (UK 2026)

£2–4 per single-colour print. Multi-colour vinyl jobs scale up roughly linearly per additional colour.

Best for

Names and numbers (sportswear, school leavers). Single-colour logos. Specialty effects (reflective, glitter).

Quick decision matrix

Hand feel — what each method actually feels like

• DTG: No hand feel. Print is part of the fabric. Best in this regard.
• Screen printing (water-based): Slight hand, soft. Premium feel.
• Screen printing (plastisol): Detectable hand, slightly rubbery. Most durable.
• DTF: Slight rubbery layer on top of fabric. Most noticeable hand feel.
• Vinyl: Smooth plastic film, completely separate from fabric texture.

Durability ranking (in normal home washing)

1. Screen printing (plastisol): 100+ washes, fades very gradually
2. Vinyl: 50–100 washes, edges may lift eventually
3. Screen printing (water-based): 50–80 washes, gradual fade
4. DTG: 30–50 washes, faster fade than other methods
5. DTF: 50–80 washes, durable but susceptible to high-heat tumble drying

Note: all methods last significantly longer with cool washing (30°C) and air-drying.

Which method does your printer recommend?

The answer tells you a lot. A printer who only ever recommends DTF prints in DTF because that's their machine. A printer who recommends a different method for each job is matching the method to your needs.

We decide the right method — DTF, vinyl, embroidery or screen print — in-house at our North London studio. The recommendation we send you is based on what your job actually needs, not what we want to sell.