Sportswear|The difference between DTG and screen printing

In this article, we will help you to refine your understanding of direct printing (also known as DTG) and screen printing. If you are a sportswear brand that wants to better showcase the fashionability and uniqueness of your clothes, choosing between these two methods will be one of the most convenient ways - with this article, you will be able to choose the best product for your business. 

Screen printing is a time-tested printing technique in which a mesh stencil is used to transfer ink onto fabric. It is one of the oldest printing methods dating back thousands of years. However, it only exploded into modern culture in the 1960s with the popularity of Andy Warhol, the printed T-shirt trend and the invention of the multi-color screen printer.

This method involves using thick inks so that they cover the top of the material instead of dipping into the fabric. If you want to create a multi-color design, the ink must be applied in several layers, using a different stencil for each ink. Unfortunately, here's the problem - the more layers you have in your design, the longer it will take to print it.

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing is a printing process that involves spraying ink onto a garment using specialized or modified inkjet technology and then waiting for the ink to penetrate the fabric. Although it has only been around for about 20 years, it has revolutionized the fashion industry in ways that no one could have predicted. Digital direct printing is currently in a rapid growth phase and has proven to be one of the most resilient sectors of the printing industry during the Covid pandemic.

With direct garment printing, very little setup time is required. This means printing one-off items is easy.

DTG and screen printing are two of the most common and popular methods of printing custom sportswear garments.

Both printing methods produce high quality prints, with screen printing technology being marked by its vibrant, saturated, high quality prints. There is no doubt about it, but unfortunately it is limited to specific colors, takes a lot of time and is very labor-intensive.

With DTG printing, however, you can enjoy the same high quality prints at a much lower cost. This method allows you to print very detailed designs and realistic images that look as good or better than when using other printing processes, such as screen printing.

DTG prints can withstand over 50 washes and still be acceptable to your customers. Screen printing lasts 25% to 50% longer and is great for sports uniforms or business uniforms, but if you want to sell custom sports t-shirts or other custom sports apparel, DTG printing is the way to go.

In the printing industry, details are the smallest part of a design, such as textures, fine lines or tiny elements. When it comes to detail, DTG printing is the undisputed champion. It is often recommended for full-color designs with lots of detail (e.g., illustrations, photos, gradients, etc.). However, screen printed garments have dots that are visible to the naked eye, whereas with DTG printing, the resolution is so high - you can't see them at all.

You can pick any product from our sportswear catalog, add your design, and see how it looks in real life.

They all have different features and you can choose the one that best suits your sportswear business. Choosing a printing method for sportswear wisely is not an easy task, but to make it easier, we can recommend the most appropriate printing method for you based on your starting order, price budget, fabric choice, and the results you want to achieve. If you're interested in opening your own line of sportswear brands, entering new markets through printing, or expanding your existing business, HUCAI can give you the best printing service available!