T Shirt Printing Methods Explained – tshirtprintlondon.co.uk

Screen printing, DTF, DTG, embroidery, heat transfer, sublimation — a plain-English breakdown of every method we offer and when to use each one.

1. Screen Printing

Ink is pushed through a mesh screen stencil, one color layer at a time. Best for bulk orders with a small number of solid colors — the cost per piece drops significantly at volume.

2. DTF & DTG Printing

DTF (Direct-to-Film) prints onto a film then heat-presses it onto fabric; DTG (Direct-to-Garment) prints ink straight onto the garment like an inkjet printer. Both handle full-color, photo-realistic artwork with no per-color setup cost.

3. Embroidery

Thread is stitched directly into the fabric, giving a textured, premium finish. Ideal for logos on polos, caps, and jackets where durability and a professional look matter most.

4. Heat Transfer & Sublimation

Heat transfer applies a pre-printed design using heat and pressure — fast and flexible for small runs. Sublimation dyes the design directly into polyester fibers, making it the standard for vibrant, all-over sports jerseys.

💡 Pro Tip

Still unsure which method fits your project? Send us your design and quantity — we'll recommend the most cost-effective option.

Method	Best For	Setup Cost
Screen Printing	Bulk, few colors	Per color
DTF / DTG	Full color, small runs	None
Embroidery	Logos, caps, polos	One-time digitizing
Heat Transfer	Small runs, fast turnaround	None
Sublimation	All-over sports designs	None (polyester only)

Key Takeaways

Screen printing is most economical at bulk volume with few colors.
DTF and DTG suit full-color, detailed designs with no minimum.
Embroidery offers the most durable, premium finish for logos.
Sublimation is the go-to for vibrant, all-over sports jerseys.
The right method depends on quantity, colors, and fabric.

It depends on quantity — screen printing wins at bulk, DTF/DTG at small runs.

Yes, though it works especially well on structured garments like polos and caps.

No, sublimation requires polyester or poly-blend fabric to bond properly.

Heat transfer and DTF are typically fastest for small quantities.

Yes, visit our gallery page for real examples of every method.

No — DTG prints directly onto fabric; DTF prints onto film then transfers via heat.

Screen printing and embroidery both hold up well to frequent washing.

Yes, tell us your design and use case and we'll advise the best fit.

Yes, though DTF/DTG use a white underbase layer for dark fabrics.

Request a quote specifying your preferred method, or ask us to compare a few.

Daniel Hayes

Production Manager at TShirtPrintLondon, overseeing every printing method in-house.

T-Shirt Printing Methods Explained

In This Article

1. Screen Printing

2. DTF & DTG Printing

3. Embroidery