Custom T-Shirt Printing Methods Compared: DTG vs Screen Printing vs DTF vs Sublimation (2026 Guide)

Primary: custom t-shirt printing, t-shirt printing methods, DTG vs screen printing ｜ Secondary: DTF printing, sublimation t-shirts, best printing method for shirts ｜ Long-tail: how to print on dark shirts, screen print vs DTG vs DTF, printing on 100% cotton tees

You’ve picked your blank tees. Now comes the question that decides your margin and your quality: how do you actually print on them? Screen printing, DTG, DTF, sublimation, and heat transfer all produce different results — and the wrong pick can double your cost or ruin your design.

This guide breaks down every major t-shirt printing method, with side-by-side cost, durability, and fabric-compatibility tables, plus a decision tool for picking the right one. If you’re still choosing the garment itself, start with our  and .

1. The 5 Main T-Shirt Printing Methods (at a glance)
2. Screen Printing
3. DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
4. DTF (Direct-to-Film)
5. Sublimation (All-Over Print)
6. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
7. Head-to-Head Comparison Table
8. Which Method Should You Choose?
9. Printing on Dark & Colored Shirts
10. Fabric Compatibility
11. Cost Example: 100 Shirts
12. Artwork & File Requirements
13. Choosing the Right Blank Tee
14. FAQ

Table of Contents

1. The 5 Main T-Shirt Printing Methods (at a glance)

💡 BlankW tip: Most of our customers print on a  ($2.90) or a heavy  ($7.90). A smooth, tight-weave cotton holds ink best.

2. Screen Printing

The classic. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen, one color at a time.

• How it works: Artwork split by color → screen per color → squeegee ink through → cure at ~320°F.
• Best for: 20+ pieces, simple bold logos, neon colors, bulk merch.
• Cost (100 pcs, 1 color): ~$2.50/pc + $30 screen.
• Pros: Cheapest at scale, most durable, vibrant on cotton.
• Cons: Setup cost, limited colors per design, not ideal for photos.

Decorating hats vs tees? See our  guide.

3. DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

A modified inkjet printer sprays water-based ink straight onto the shirt.

• Best for: Photorealistic designs, gradients, one-off or print-on-demand.
• Fabric: 100% cotton only (white or light works best).
• Cost: $3–$8/pc, no setup — great for 1–20 pieces.
• Pros: Unlimited colors, no MOQ, instant detail.
• Cons: Slower per piece, weaker on polyester, can fade after 50+ washes if cured poorly.

4. DTF (Direct-to-Film)

Print the design onto a special film, apply adhesive powder, then heat-press onto the garment.

• Best for: Small runs, any fabric (cotton, poly, blends), dark shirts.
• Cost: $2–$5/pc, no screen setup.
• Pros: Works on cotton AND polyester, bright on dark colors, no weeding.
• Cons: Slight hand-feel, edges can peel if low-temp pressed.

2026 trend: DTF is eating into both screen print (small runs) and DTG (fabric flexibility) because it’s the rare method that works on any blank. If you stock mixed-fabric blanks like our , DTF is your friend.

5. Sublimation (All-Over Print)

Dye turns to gas under heat and bonds into polyester fibers — no surface layer at all.

• Best for: All-over prints, seam-to-seam designs, photo tees.
• Fabric: White/light polyester only (≥65%).
• Cost: $4–$10/pc.
• Pros: No fade, no crack, ultra-soft (ink is inside the fiber).
• Cons: Polyester-only, won’t show on cotton, limited to light garments.

6. Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

Cut colored vinyl with a plotter, then heat-press onto the shirt.

• Best for: Names/numbers, single-color text, small craft batches.
• Cost: $1–$4/pc + cutter.
• Pros: No ink, durable, great for personalization.
• Cons: Not for complex art, visible layer, time-consuming at volume.

7. Head-to-Head Comparison Table

8. Which Method Should You Choose?

9. Printing on Dark & Colored Shirts

Dark garments are where methods diverge. Screen print needs a white underbase; DTG needs an underbase too (and still struggles); DTF and HTV shine on dark shirts because the film/vinyl sits on top. Sublimation can’t do dark at all. A  in black is a premium canvas for DTF logos.

10. Fabric Compatibility

Print method and fabric are a pair — pick wrong and it cracks or won’t adhere. Matching the right blank matters as much as the printer. Our  and  cover cotton vs poly vs blends in depth. Quick rule: 100% cotton → DTG/screen; poly → sublimation/DTF; blends → DTF.

11. Cost Example: 100 Shirts, 1-Color Logo

Add the blank: a  at $2.90 brings total landed cost to ~$5.70/pc screen-printed — strong margins at a $18–$25 retail. For low-volume strategy, see our .

12. Artwork & File Requirements

• Vector (.AI/.EPS/.PDF) for screen print & HTV (clean edges).
• 300 DPI PNG/PSD with transparent background for DTG/DTF.
• sRGB color profile; convert Pantones where possible.
• Minimum text 4 mm; avoid tiny strokes that won’t transfer.

13. Choosing the Right Blank Tee

A great print needs a great blank. Our best canvases:

Browse all styles — , , , , , ,  — at the . Picking a supplier? Our  and  help.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the cheapest way to print 100 tees?Screen printing — ~$2.50/pc after a small setup.

Q2: Can I print on polyester?Yes: DTF or sublimation. DTG is cotton-only.

Q3: Best method for dark shirts?DTF or HTV (sit on top); sublimation can’t do dark.

Q4: Which is most durable?Screen print and sublimation — both survive 100+ washes.

Q5: Do I need a minimum order?Only screen print (20–50). DTG/DTF/sublimation/HTV do 1 pc.

Q6: What file do I need?Vector for screen/HTV; 300 DPI PNG for DTG/DTF.

Q7: Can I start a clothing brand this way?Absolutely — see .

Q8: Do you also do corporate uniforms?Yes — .

Q9: How do I get better unit pricing?Volume tiers — our .

Q10: Are your factories certified?Yes, BSCI + ISO9001 — .

Ready to print your tees?

Pick a blank from the , choose your print method, and email savidchan@blankw.com for volume pricing on blanks. For polos, see our .