How to Choose Between Screen Print vs DTG for Your First Collection

One of the most important choices you'll have to make when putting together your first clothing line isn't about the design itself, but about how it gets printed. The way you print can change the look, feel, and price of your products in a big way. Screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing are two of the most common choices.

Both can work well, but they are made for different purposes. You can make things that look exactly how you want them to by knowing the strengths, weaknesses, and best uses for each one. You won't have to spend too much or give up quality. As a leading custom clothing manufacturer with over 24 years of experience, UNIT-100 has helped countless startups and brands navigate this choice, and we’ll share key insights to simplify your decision below.

Step 1: What Screen Printing Really Means

Screen printing is the old-fashioned, hands-on way that people have been doing it for years. It means pushing layers of ink through a fine mesh stencil onto the fabric, with one screen for each color. The result is prints that are bold and long-lasting, even after years of wear and washing.

This method works best when you need to make a lot of things with simple designs, like logos, big graphics, or a small number of colors. Your cost per unit goes down a lot as your order volume goes up because you have to make screens and mix inks.

UNIT-100 enhances this process with 250+ TPI screens that deliver sharper, more breathable prints, and we’ve mastered adapting screen printing to nearly all fabrics, including blends and stretchy materials, by using specialized inks to prevent cracking, a common issue many brands face.

The ink also sits on top of the fabric, giving it a slightly raised texture that feels solid and planned. That tactile quality is part of what makes vintage, streetwear, or classic merch appealing to brands.

Step 2: Understanding DTG Printing

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, on the other hand, is a newer method that uses technology. It works like an industrial inkjet printer that sprays water-based ink directly into the fibers of the fabric. This lets you have full-color art, smooth gradients, and photo-realistic detail all on one screen or layer.

DTG is great for small runs, drops that are made to order, or designs with a lot of colors that are hard to make. Setting it up is faster because there are no screens or mixing, and it's easy to test or make one-off samples. The print feels softer because the ink bonds with the fabric instead of sitting on top of it. At UNIT-100, we boost DTG’s durability with premium eco-friendly inks and a post-print curing process, and our 3-7 day sampling service lets you validate designs quickly. Plus, our minimum order quantity (MOQ) for DTG starts at just 50 pieces, perfect for testing market demand.

The downside is that DTG prints can fade faster if they aren't pretreated or washed carefully. They look best on 100% cotton. The quality of the printer and the pretreatment will affect the results for fleece or blends.

Step 3: Comparing Cost, Quality, and Flexibility

Screen printing and DTG each have their own strengths, and the easiest way to choose between them is to think about what you’re trying to make and how many pieces you need.

Screen printing makes the most sense when you’re working with simple artwork or producing a decent-sized run. There’s some setup involved-screens need to be made, colors need to be mixed-so the upfront cost is higher, but the price per piece drops quickly once you get into larger quantities. The print sits on top of the fabric, giving it a slightly raised feel, and it holds up extremely well over time. It also works on just about any fabric, which is why it’s the go-to method for most classic streetwear pieces.

DTG printing is built for smaller batches and more detailed designs. Since there’s no screen setup, you can print one piece or twenty without wasting money, and you can use as many colors as you want, including gradients and photo-style graphics. The print absorbs into the fabric, so the feel is softer, almost like the design is part of the shirt. The trade-off is durability, which can vary depending on the fabric and washing, and the fact that DTG really performs best on 100% cotton.

So if you're putting together your first collection, the choice usually comes down to your goals:

If you want something reliable, durable, and affordable at higher quantities, screen printing is the safer bet.

If you're experimenting with designs, testing ideas, or dropping limited graphics, DTG gives you the freedom to create without committing to big volume.

UNIT-100 often helps brands balance these goals by aligning the method with their long-term plans-for example, we might suggest starting with DTG to test a design's popularity, then switching to screen printing once demand is proven to cut costs at scale.

Step 4: Blending Both Methods Strategically

A lot of modern brands use both. Use screen printing for your basic items, like hoodies, tees, and pieces with your logo on them. Use DTG for short runs of seasonal items or limited editions with a lot of graphics.

This mix of methods lets you keep costs down and quality up while still letting your creativity flow. Some brands even start with DTG to see if there is demand, then switch to screen printing once the designs are popular. This lets them grow without changing their look. As a one-stop manufacturer, UNIT-100 handles both methods in-house, so you don’t have to coordinate with multiple suppliers-we streamline production, ensure consistent fabric quality, and even offer eco-friendly options for both printing techniques to match sustainability goals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

● Picking based only on price: Just because something is cheaper doesn't mean it's better. Think about the length of time the item will last, how customers see it, and where the brand stands.

● Not paying attention to the type of fabric: DTG doesn't work well on synthetics, and screen printing can crack if used on stretchy fabrics.UNIT-100’s team reviews fabric choices upfront to avoid this, advising on the best printing method for each material.

● Not doing sample runs: Always test your design before making a lot of them. A print that looks good on a screen might not look good on fabric.

● Using low-res art: Both methods need clean, high-res files. For professional results, you need vector artwork or images with a resolution of 300 dpi.

Conclusion and a Call to Action

Screen printing and DTG can both make your first collection stand out. The trick is to pick the one that works best for your budget, aesthetic, and production goals. Screen printing gives you the best durability and texture, while DTG lets you be as creative and flexible as you want.

Every day at Unit-100, we help brands make these kinds of choices, from testing samples and picking fabrics to running full production runs. If you're not sure which method is best for your designs or you want to know how to grow your business after your first drop, get in touch with us. We'll show you the different choices, run test prints, and help you start a collection that looks great, feels high-end, and really represents your brand.