DTF Vs Screen Printing: Which One to Choose?

Are you planning on starting an apparel business? Stuck between the two popular printing methods, screen printing, and DTF printing? Don’t worry, that’s a common challenge most entrepreneurs face when entering the cloth printing market.

DTF is the modern method that uses digital printers to copy the design onto a film, which is then transferred onto the fabric. In contrast, screen printing follows a straightforward approach to applying a layered bold design onto the fabric through a stencil.

But which one should you choose? To guide you, this article will compare both printing methods in terms of their design complexity, vibrancy, material compatibility, texture, and cost. We’ll also highlight the best use-case scenarios for each.

Understanding DTF Printing

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is a newer technology in the textile industry that has brought a fresh approach to design transfer. Here, a digital DTF printer replicates a full-color design onto a special film, which is then transferred onto the fabric using adhesive powder and a heat press.

The DTF Process

• DTF printing begins with creating a digital design using software.
• The design gets printed on a PET film using a specialized DTF printer. The DTF inks too are special, as they are responsible for design transfer.
• The printed film is coated with a special adhesive powder, which allows the ink to bond with the fabric.
• After drying, the film is heat-pressed onto the fabric.
• The transfer film is peeled off and the design is ready.

Pros of DTF printing

• Works well on a range of materials, including cotton, denim, nylon, polyester, blends, leather, and more.
• Best for full-color and realistic graphics.
• Can reproduce highly detailed and vibrant designs.
• Ideal for small quantities.
• DTF transfers can be created in advance and stored for future use.

Cons of DTF printing

• High setup and per unit cost of printing.
• Time-consuming process.

Understanding Screen Printing

Screen printing is a traditional printmaking technique that has been around for centuries. It uses a stencil (or screen) to apply ink to the fabric, where one color layer is printed at a time. It is best known for its bold and vibrant designs.

How the Screen Printing Process Works

The traditional route to screen printing is long and time-consuming, where stencil preparation may take days. However, xTool has introduced a modern 3-step screen printing method with a laser engraver and xTool screen-printer. 

Here’s how it works:

• A digital design is created and separated into layers – one color per layer. (For quick screen printing designs, you can use an AI design creation tool, AIMake)
• The pre-coated mesh screen is placed underneath a laser engraver, and it engravers the screen to create a design stencil in minutes.
• The stencil is placed on top of the fabric. Ink is then pressed through the stencil using a squeegee, which allows the design to be transferred onto the fabric. Each color in the design requires a separate stencil and printing pass.

Pros of Screen Printing

• Ideal for bold and vibrant colors, especially solid designs and spot colors.
• Works across all fabrics, whether natural or synthetic.
• Economical for long batches.
• Prints resist cracking and fading.

Cons of Screen Printing

• Cannot print detailed photographic or realistic images.
• Not suited for one-off prints.

DTF Vs Screen Printing: A Detailed Comparison

Now that you’re aware of each printing technique and what each one has to offer, let's compare them in different aspects.

Production Time

If we compare DTF with the traditional screen printing route, then DTF is much quicker. However, the xTool screen printing solution and DTF process almost take a similar time. 

In DTF, you need to print the design on the film and then do the heat transfer. For screen printing, you have to laser engrave the design on the stencil and then apply ink for design transfer.

With this modern approach, the printing time is similar for one-time designs. However, for a batch of orders that share a similar design, screen printing takes the lead. You just have to create the design stencil once and it can be reused for multiple designs. DTF requires a separate printed film for each design.

Design Complexity

Since a digital aspect is involved, DTF performs well in replicating complex designs, including gradients, fine details, and photorealistic images. It can reproduce intricate artwork with high color accuracy and fine lines.

In contrast, screen printing excels in bold, simple designs but struggles with complex artwork. Each color requires a separate screen, which makes multicolored designs costlier and more time-consuming to produce.

DTF prints

Screen printed print

Color Vibrancy and Options

DTF can provide multi-color options since they are mixed and created automatically inside the printer. However, in a screen printer, the color choices are limited in design and one has to manually mix the inks to match the design color.

DTF prints have slightly lower vibrancy, especially on dark fabrics. The colors are bright but not as intense as screen prints.

Design Feel

In both cases, the design is layered on the top of the fabric. However, the top feel depends on the type of ink you use. In case plastisol ink is used for screen printing, the top layer is thick and plasticky, and its texture can be felt. Whereas in DTF, you almost get the same feel but the design layer is a bit thin and smooth.  

Compatible Materials

Both techniques are highly versatile in terms of fabric range. They can work on cotton, polyester, blends, nylon, and leather. However, caution has to be taken against certain fabrics (silk) which may be damaged by heat. Besides fabric, screen printing use case further expands to wood, metals, glass, and plastic.

Design Durability

DTF prints offer good durability when cured properly during the heat transfer process. However, they may not withstand as many wash cycles as screen prints. Over time, the film layer can show signs of cracking or peeling over time. 

Setup and Printing Cost

Most people argue screen printing is costlier than DTF. However, that’s not the case, if you switch to a modern screen printing solution. xTool screen printer along with an entry-level laser engraver would cost you around $1,600. Inks and stencils are part of the package.

Whereas, entry-level DTF printers cost between $1,500 – 3,000. And the cost of PET film and inks is additional.

DTF vs Screen printing: Which One to Choose?

Now, it all comes down to which method should you choose. Each method excels in particular scenarios, so use them accordingly.

Opt for screen printing when you need:

• Bold Designs: Vibrant, bold, and textured designs with limited colors.
• Simple Decals: Logos, text, and solid graphics.
• Bulk Production: A volume of similar design shirts – the more you print, the cheaper it gets.

Choose DTF printing for:

• Full Color Prints: Detailed, multicolored designs, including photographs and illustrations.
• POD Businesses: Small batches and On-demand customized orders.

FAQs: DTF vs Screen Printing

Does DTF last longer than screen print?

No, screen prints generally last longer. The ink used in screen printing is more resistant to washing and wear over time.

Which is better, screen print or DTF?

It depends on the use case. For detailed designs or small orders, DTF is a better choice. Screen printing is ideal for bold, simple designs and bulk orders due to lower per-unit costs.

Does DTF print feel like a screen print?

Yes, the feel of DTF prints can be similar to screen prints because both sit on top of the fabric and create a plasticized finish. However, DTF feels slightly thinner than screen prints, which can have a slightly raised texture.