The Main Methods
| Method | Look | MOQ | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Print | Solid, crisp colour blocks; very durable | ~100 pcs | Few-colour bulk runs |
| DTG (Direct to Garment) | Photo-grade, unlimited colour, no setup | 1 pc | Complex art, small runs |
| Elliptical Digital | Vivid multi-colour at production speed | ~100 pcs | Mid-to-large colourful runs |
| White-Ink Heat Transfer | Large art, opaque on dark cloth | ~100 pcs | Big graphics on dark garments |
| Silicone Print | Raised, 3D tactile effect | ~100 pcs | Streetwear, logo pop |
| Sublimation | All-over, dyes into polyester | ~100 pcs | Polyester, full-bleed art |
A Quick Decision Rule
- 1 piece, any artwork → DTG. Highest quality, no limits.
- Bulk, few colours → Screen print. Lowest unit price, wash-proof.
- Bulk, many colours → Elliptical digital. Speed plus colour.
- Large art on dark cloth → White-ink heat transfer.
- Raised 3D look → Silicone print.
Durability & Care
What We Recommend
For a first custom piece or a test drop…
How the Six Methods Differ
Screen print lays ink through a mesh stencil. It loves flat, solid colours and long runs — the more pieces, the cheaper each one. Heat curing locks the colour in, so it survives years of washing.
DTG sprays ink like an office printer, straight onto the cloth. Because there is no plate to make, one piece costs the same to set up as one thousand — that is why it starts at a single unit and handles gradients and photos.
Elliptical digital is our production-speed workhorse: multiple colour heads print at once, so colourful designs no longer mean slow, costly screen setups.
White-ink heat transfer prints onto a film, then presses onto the garment. The white underbase makes big, bright art pop even on black fabric.
Silicone print lays a thick, rubber-like layer you can feel. It gives logos a premium 3D edge that flat ink cannot.
Sublimation turns dye into gas that bonds inside polyester fibre. The print is literally part of the cloth — no cracking, no peeling, and it can cover the whole garment.
Cost & Lead Time by Method
| Method | Setup cost | Unit price trend | Lead time | Best volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Print | Plate fee per colour | Drops fast with volume | 10–15 days | 500+ pcs |
| DTG | None | Flat — same at 1 or 1k | ~7 days (POD) | 1–200 pcs |
| Elliptical Digital | Low plate fee | Low, stable at volume | 10–15 days | 200–2,000 pcs |
| White-ink Transfer | Film prep | Mid | 10–15 days | 100–1,000 pcs |
| Silicone Print | Thick-ink setup | Mid–high | 10–15 days | 100–1,000 pcs |
| Sublimation | Transfer print | Low on polyester | 10–15 days | 100–1,000 pcs |
Colour & Fabric Rules
- DTG needs light or white cloth for true colour; on dark fabric it needs a white underbase, which adds a step.
- Screen print handles spot colours precisely — give us Pantone numbers for exact brand matching.
- Sublimation only works on polyester (or poly-blend); it will not show on cotton.
- Silicone and puff read best on stable, heavier cloth — hoodies, caps, tote bags.
Sampling & Artwork Files
We recommend a pre-production sample for any run above 100 pieces, so colour and placement are locked before bulk. Send artwork as vector (AI / EPS / PDF) at actual size; for photoreal DTG, a 300 dpi PNG or TIFF works best.
- Vector preferred — text stays sharp at any size.
- Name spot colours with Pantone codes where possible.
- Allow 3–7 days for a printed sample before bulk.
Common Pitfalls
FAQ
Can I mix printing methods on one garment?
Yes. A common combo is an embroidered chest logo plus a DTG back print, or a silicone front with a sublimated panel. We price each method separately and plan the production sequence.
Which method is most eco-friendly?
DTG uses water-based inks and prints only what is ordered, cutting overstock. Sublimation has near-zero ink waste. Tell us if sustainability is a selling point and we will recommend accordingly.
What is the true minimum to start?
DTG from 1 piece on ready blank stock. For screen, silicone, transfer, elliptical or sublimation, plan on about 100 pieces per colour as a single-colour start. Custom blank development follows OEM at 100–200 pieces per colour.