T-shirt and other textile printing is a key element for branding, advertising, merchandising and personal projects. Whether you are creating corporate apparel, fan art, sports teams or gift t-shirts, the right printing method is of utmost importance. In this article, we'll take a look at the five most popular t-shirt printing technologies - DTG, DTF, thermal transfer printing, sublimation и screen printing - and will explain in detail why screen printing (especially when performed on professional machines such as MHM SP5000 и MHM S-Type Xtreme) stands out as the best choice for long-lasting, bright and high-quality prints.

  1. What is DTG printing (Direct to textile printing)?
  2. DTF (Direct Film Transfer) - the new hit in textile printing
  3. Thermal transfer printing - when is it suitable?
  4. Sublimation printing on polyester
  5. Screen printing - why is it most preferred and how does it work?
  6. MHM SP5000 and MHM S-Type Xtreme - World Class Machines
  7. When to choose any textile printing method (Practical tips)
  8. Conclusion for printing on t-shirts and textiles

1. DTG (Direct to textile)

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) is a technology that uses a specialized inkjet printer to apply inks directly to the fabric. The design is fed from a computer and the printer prints it in the same way you would a photo on paper. The printing uses water-based inks, which are then thermally fixed (dried or pressed) to make them wash-resistant.

Pros of DTG

  • Allows printing of full-color images and photographs without limitation in the number of colors.
  • Very suitable for small runs and single pieces; no prior preparation of templates is required.
  • Gives a soft impression (especially on light coloured clothes) as the ink penetrates the fabric.

DTG restrictions

  • Works best on cotton or fabrics with predominantly cotton content. In polyester and elastic fabrics, quality and durability decrease.
  • In the case of dark textiles, white ink (underbase) has to be applied beforehand and the garment has to be retreated, which complicates and makes the process more expensive.
  • Not so cost effective at large runs (more than 50-100 pieces) because the printing speed cannot compete with screen printing carousels and the inks are relatively expensive.

DTG is a great option for custom orders where you want single t-shirts or small runs with intricate color images, but if the run grows or the fabric isn't cotton, limitations quickly appear.

2. DTF (Direct Film Transfer)

DTF (Direct-to-Film) is newer technology, which combines digital printing and transfer. Here, the image is first printed with an ink-jet printer on a special PET film, a fine adhesive powder is sprinkled on the wet ink and after heat treatment, a finished transfer is obtained, which is then transferred to the textile with a heat press.

Advantages of DTF

  • Flexibility of materials: can be applied on cotton, polyester, blends, lycra, even leather.
  • Many bright and solid colors, sometimes more saturated than DTG.
  • Very good durability when washing and rubbing, especially on tougher fabrics.
  • Allows full-color and complex designs, also suitable for small and for Medium runs.

Disadvantages of DTF

  • It feels more embossed on the garment (fine film), especially with larger dense prints.
  • Requires special equipment - DTF printer, thermal adhesive powder, dryer/thermal compartment and then heat press for transfer.
  • For very large orders (hundreds/thousands of t-shirts) the process becomes slower and more expensive compared to the screen printing line.

DTF is an excellent method when you need simultaneously a wide colour palette, the possibility of different fabrics and a relatively fast production cycle. Still, if you are looking for optimally low price at high volumes or highest durability, it's worth exploring screen printing.

3. Thermal transfer printing

Thermal transfer printing involves printing (or cutting) an image onto a carrier (paper or film) and then carry him with heat and pressure on the garment. There are several varieties:

  • Transfer paper printing (for light cotton or for coated fabrics) and then transfer.
  • Cutting of flex/flock foils and sticking them in the desired place.
  • Laser or sublimation thermal transfer with white toner or special inks.

Why would we choose thermal transfer?

  • Ideal for personalizations: names, numbers, small logos.
  • Opportunity for home application (if using suitable transfer paper and iron).
  • You don't necessarily need access to industrial printers.

Limitations

  • Endurance depends a lot on the quality of the film or paper. Cheap options crack easily.
  • At larger designs the print can feel like a thicker, „rubbery“ layer.
  • Not so fast and economical for large runs, as each print and each transfer is done manually or in separate steps.

Thermal transfer is widely used for sports teams (numbers, names on the back), promotional hats, aprons, as well as for Single or small orders, where budget or time is limited and it is not worth doing other types of preparation.

4. Sublimation - for polyester and advertising souvenirs

Sublimation is a process in which special dyes are heated and converted into a gas that penetrates the polyester fibres. The print thus literally becomes part of the fabric. This method is mainly used in white or light polyester, as well as for printing on souvenirs with polyester coating (cups, puzzles, mouse pads).

Pros

  • Exceptional resistance - sublimation prints do not crack or fade easily.
  • Lack of relief - the dye stains the threads from the inside, without an additional layer.
  • Full colour designs with excellent resolution - suitable for photographic images.

Cons

  • Does not work on cotton and dark fabrics - there is no white ink, so the coloured/dark background changes colours.
  • Limited to 100% polyester or at least high polyester content (70-80%).
  • With coloured polyester garments, there is a risk that the background will affect the final colour.

Sublimation is great for sports teams, white promotional T-shirts, photo mugs, promotional accessories, but it is not universal for all textiles.

5. Screen Printing - the gold standard

Screen printing is Traditional, but also the most reliable method for large-scale printing on textiles. In this method, a screen (stencil) is made for each colour in the design, through which the ink is „sifted“ directly onto the t-shirt. After printing, the garments pass through a tunnel kiln where the ink is baked. It is this process of curing gives the legendary durability of screen prints.

Why screen printing is best?

  1. Unbeatable durability
    Baking the ink at high temperature (usually 150-180°C) polymerizes the color. The print thus lasts dozens of firings, without cracking or peeling.

  2. Extremely saturated colours
    Screen-printing inks (especially plastisol inks) allow the application of dense layer, which gives brightness and opacity even on very dark fabrics.

  3. Fast and cost-effective for large orders
    Once the sieves are made and the machine is set up, production can reach hundreds of t-shirts per hour. So the unit price drops dramatically as the print run increases.

  4. Special effects
    Screen printing allows metallic inks, embossed „puff“ effects, neon, glow-in-the-dark and UV-reactive layers, which are difficult or impossible with digital printing.

  5. Wide range of fabrics
    You can print on cotton, cotton blends, even some polyester fabrics or jersey, as long as you choose the right inks.

What is screen printing and how to screen print on textiles? - If you are interested in the essence of how screen printing is done and what it is, click on the link and read our article.

Why is it important to use professional equipment?

While screen printing is extremely efficient, the end result is highly dependent on the quality of the the machines, inks, the operator's skills and the preparation of the individual colours before work. If screen printing is not carried out precisely - with poor screens, incorrect temperatures or cheap inks - the prints can be of poor quality.

MHM SP5000 and MHM S-Type Xtreme - some of the latest and best screen printing machines

To achieve the high speed, precise registration of colours and the even application of the ink, industrial automatic screen printing machines are used. Two of the best examples are the models MHM SP5000 и MHM S-Type Xtreme.

MHM SP5000

  • Builds on the legendary SP3000, known for decades of reliable performance.
  • Solid construction that prevents vibration and displacement.
  • Extremely accurate color registration - once set, all t-shirts come out with the same quality.
  • Easy maintenance and ergonomic service that reduces downtime and setup.

MHM S-Type Xtreme

  • High speed carousel machine capable of over 1000-1400 prints per hour.
  • Can print Multicolour designs (up to 16 colours) with high stability.
  • Innovative flash-dryers between colors that „gel“ the ink and prevent blending and smearing.
  • Comprehensive digital automation: the operator controls speed, pressure and temperature from a centralised system ensuring repeatable results.

With such machines, screen printing quality is literally at an industrial level: solid lines, sharp details, deep colors и durable prints, which are not affected by the type of garment and withstand a long wear cycle.

When which method to choose?

Depending on the fabric, run, budget and desired quality, the most appropriate method may vary:

  • DTG: Ideal for small orders (1-50 pcs), intricate multi-color designs and 100% cotton preferred.
  • DTF: Works on a wide range of fabrics; small and medium runs; good durability and full colour, but a more embossed impression.
  • Thermal transfer: Suitable for individual customisations, names, numbers, quick single issues; not so long lasting.
  • Sublimation: To polyester and advertising souvenirs, gives extremely lasting and bright results on White/ light background.
  • Screen Printing: Most cost effective и top quality at large runs or when uncompromising durability is sought. Ideal for company merch, mass orders (100-1000+ t-shirts), branded products, fashion series, festival t-shirts, etc.

It is also important to consider the special effects: if you want golden or embossed elements, screen printing with concrete inks is the only way to achieve them professionally. If the fabric is highly elastic, DTF or suitable plastisol inks in screen printing are more adequate. At Single and quick orders with many colours - DTG, DTF or even thermal transfer may be more practical.

The screenprint е Best method for printing t-shirts when desired top quality, bright colours и long grass Prints. Especially for large runs, this process is most cost effective и most trusted. For smaller series or specific fabrics you can also consider other technologies such as DTG, DTF, thermal transfer or sublimation, but remember that screen printing (executed at a professional level) will provide you with timeless quality и exceptional effect.

If you are looking for how to make your project come true - from corporate uniforms to merchandise collections or promotional textiles - contact us. We will help you choose the optimal technology, provide you with professional consultation and we will check every detail before starting work to deliver you the best quality you can already see in our completed projects - screen printing on t-shirts.

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