Skip the jargon — three things decide the process: what the fabric is, how many pieces, and how complex the art is. The table compares our five main processes, ending with a direct "choose it when" verdict.
| Item | DTG | DTF | Screen | Reflective | Crystal Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric / material | Light cotton mainly | Cotton/poly/blend/denim, any dark | Cotton, blend, non-woven, canvas, paper, glass, metal | Poly-cotton workwear, reflective fabric, PVC | Fabric, leather, plastic, metal, glass, acrylic |
| Base color limit | White underbase for dark | No limit | No limit (less ink on light) | Mostly dark | No limit |
| Gradient / photo-real | Best suited | Good | Not suited | Not suited | Good (small area) |
| Hand-feel | Soft, no film | Slight film | Thick ink layer, softer after wash | Stiff (function first) | Raised 3D texture |
| Wash durability | Good | Good | Strongest | Good (verified to standard) | Good |
| MOQ | From 1 pc | From 1 pc | 50+ pcs advised | Mostly bulk | Small batches OK |
| Pricing basis | Pieces × print area | Pieces × transfer area | Plate + pieces × print fee | By marking spec & pieces | By piece / area / plate |
| Lead time | Sample 1–3 d, bulk 3–7 d | Sample 1–3 d, bulk 3–7 d | Sample 2–4 d, bulk 5–10 d | Sample 2–4 d, bulk 5–10 d | Sample 1–3 d, bulk by process |
| Choose it when | Light cotton, hand-feel & detail | Dark/special fabric, vivid color | Bulk same-design, cut cost | Workwear reflective, compliant & durable | Small accents, irregular items |
The table reflects typical cases; a real order also depends on fabric composition, artwork size and process parameters. If unsure, send fabric and artwork — we judge free.
Pick a process in three lines
Verdicts for the three most common cases
Light cotton tee, want great hand-feel
Choose DTG. No film layer, print and fabric become one; strong on gradients and photo-real, from a single piece.
Dark fabric or polyester, want vivid color
Choose DTF. Any base color, any fabric; strong adhesion and wash durability, at the cost of a slight surface film.
Hundreds to thousands same design, cut cost
Choose Screen printing. One-time plate fee, per-piece print fee only; cheaper as volume grows, and the ink layer is more wash-durable.
Choosing for non-apparel materials
Metal parts, packaging and small items each suit a different process
Metal / glass / acrylic
Use screen printing with specialty inks (metal, glass), bake-curing if needed; for small-run multi-color use UV direct printing.
Metal screen line →Cartons / paper bags / totes
Screen is most economical for large-area few-color; for multi-color illustration use DTF — better color rendition at a slightly higher cost.
Packaging line →Tumblers / notebooks / small items
Metal-ink screen for tumblers, screen + foil for PU covers, and for small irregular items use crystal label or UV direct printing — no mold needed.
Gifts line →Still unsure? Send artwork and we judge
Free sampling — confirm before bulk