DTG Printing Lab

DTG VS DTF VS SCREEN PRINTING

DTG vs DTF vs Screen Printing: Which Printing Method Fits Your UK/European Clothing Brand?

If you’re a clothing brand based in the UK or Europe, choosing the right printing method for your apparel is vital. The right process affects fabric compatibility, print quality, order size, unit cost, and your brand’s sustainability credentials. In this article we compare the three major printing techniques — Direct-to-Garment (DTG), Direct-to-Film (DTF), and Screen Printing — and provide actionable insights so you can select the method that aligns with your brand strategy.

What Are These Printing Methods?

1. DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing

What it is: DTG printing uses ink-jet technology to apply water-based inks directly onto garments, typically cotton. It works like a digital printer for fabric.
Key features: Excellent for photo-realistic designs, multiple colors and small runs. However, best results are on high-cotton garments and setup can limit large-volume cost efficiency.

2. DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing

What it is: DTF prints the design onto a special transfer film, applies an adhesive powder, then uses heat/press to transfer the design onto the garment.
Key features: Highly versatile across many fabrics (cotton, polyester, blends), including dark & synthetic. Strong for medium-runs, flexible fabrics and varied batch sizes.

3. Screen Printing

What it is: Traditional printing technique where each color of the design is applied via a separate mesh screen and ink layer.
Key features: Ideal for bold, simple graphics, large runs, and garments where durability is crucial. Setup complexity is higher, but per-unit cost becomes very low when orders are large.

Performance Comparison

Key Factors for UK & European Brands

Factor DTG DTF Screen Printing
Fabric compatibility Best on 100% cotton or high-cotton blends. Limited on synthetics. Works on cotton, polyester, nylon, blends and darker fabrics.  Works across most fabrics (cotton, blends, some synthetics) but may require specific inks. 
Design complexity & color range Excellent: fine detail, many colors, gradients. Very good: full-color designs, flexible across fabrics. Best for simpler designs / limited colors; more colors = higher cost/setup.
Setup time & cost (for UK/Euro market) Low setup cost for small runs; slower per item for large volumes. Moderate; fewer initial screens/pretreatment required than screen printing.  High setup cost (screens, registration) but cost per unit drops dramatically with volume. 
Cost per unit & scalability Higher cost for large runs. Ideal for small batches, print-on-demand. Moderate cost across small/medium runs; good for variable fabrics. Lowest cost per unit for large-volume runs (>100 units) with simple designs.
Durability & print feel soft feel: inks soak into fabric but may fade faster than screen. Good durability: transfer layer sits on fabric — slightly more “feel”. Very durable; ink sits on fabric surface, great for wash resistance. 
Sustainability & fit for UK/Europe eco-brands More eco-friendly: fewer screens/waste, digital process.  Moderate: flexible, less waste than large screen runs. Traditional screen printing can generate more waste/chemicals; but many UK printers now use eco-inks.

 

How to Choose the Right Printing Method for Your Brand

Here’s a practical checklist for UK & European clothing brands to guide your decision:

  • What’s your typical order size?

    • Small runs (10-100 units) or many different designs → lean DTG or DTF.

    • Larger runs (100+ units) of the same print → screen printing becomes very cost-effective.

  • What fabrics do you use?

    • Heavy cotton tees for streetwear → DTG or screen printing.

    • Mixed materials, polyester blends, sportswear/hoodies → DTF offers more flexibility.

  • How complex is your design?

    • Photo-quality, gradients, full-color prints → DTG or DTF.

    • Simple logo, 1-2 colors → screen printing.

  • What finish/feel do you want?

    • Soft “embedded” feel → DTG.

    • Slightly textured transfer feel but more fabric flexibility → DTF.

    • Bold, graphic feel with raised ink layer → screen printing.

  • What’s your budget & turnaround requirement?

    • Quick turnaround and minimal setup → DTG/DTF.

    • Willing to invest setup for economical large runs → screen print.

  • What are your sustainability priorities?

    • Eco-conscious brand? DTG’s digital/made-to-order nature could appeal.

    • Mixed-batch flexibility? DTF reduces wasted garments.

    • Bulk orders and established process? Ensure your screen-print partner uses eco-inks and clean practices.

Recommendations for UK & European Clothing Brands Working with Manufacturers

  • If you’re launching a limited-edition drop or small online collection, go with DTG: you can print high-quality detailed artwork in small batches, minimize inventory risk, and test your designs quickly.

  • If you’re producing medium volume collections, using diverse fabrics (hoodies, performance wear, blends) across the UK/Europe and want both full-color and fabric flexibility, choose DTF.

  • If your brand is scaling up into bulk runs, wholesale orders or classic streetwear with bold graphics of 100+ units, then opt for Screen Printing — especially when the design and colors stay consistent.