Screen Print vs. DTG vs. Embroidery: How to Choose

There’s no single “best” way to decorate a garment — the right method depends on the fabric, the design, how many you need, and your budget. Here’s how the four methods we run compare, and how to pick the one that fits your project.

Screen printing

Ink is pushed through a stencil (a “screen”), one screen per color. It’s the workhorse of custom apparel.

• Best for: cotton, bold spot-color designs, and larger runs.
• Extremely durable and cost-effective as quantity climbs.
• Setup is per color, so it’s less ideal for one-offs or highly detailed, many-color art.

DTG (direct-to-garment)

An inkjet prints full color directly onto the garment — think of it as a printer for cotton.

• Best for: full-color or photographic art on cotton.
• No per-color setup, so small runs and one-offs are easy.
• Softest on light garments; slower per unit at high volume.

Embroidery

The design is stitched into the garment with thread — the premium, textured look.

• Best for: logos on polos, caps, jackets, and bags.
• Durable and upscale, with a tactile, dimensional finish.
• Not suited to large, detailed, or photographic artwork.

Sublimation

Dye is fused into the fabric itself for all-over prints with no hand-feel — but it only works on polyester. If you’re decorating jerseys, singlets, or warm-ups, read our dedicated sublimation guide.

A quick decision guide

• Cotton tee, one bold design, 100+ pieces → screen print.
• Cotton tee, a photo or full-color art, a handful of pieces → DTG.
• Polo, cap, or jacket with a logo → embroidery.
• Polyester jersey or singlet with an all-over design → sublimation.