If you’ve been researching custom apparel printing, you’ve probably come across three big terms: DTG (Direct-to-Garment), DTF (Direct-to-Film), and screen printing. They all do the same thing on the surface—put a design on a shirt. But how they do it, how it feels, what it costs, and how long it lasts? That’s where the real differences start to show.
At Raine Apparel & Promotions, we specialize in DTG and DTF because we believe in giving our clients the best possible combination of quality, flexibility, and consistency—without cutting corners. So let’s break it all down and answer the big question:
Which printing method is right for you—and why do we say goodbye to screen printing altogether?
What Is DTG, DTF, and Screen Printing?
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing works kind of like a giant inkjet printer—but for fabric. Your design is printed directly onto the garment, making it incredibly soft and detailed. DTG is ideal for smaller orders, high-detail graphics, and retail-level quality.
DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing is the new powerhouse in the industry. Your design is printed on a special film, powdered with adhesive, cured, and then heat-transferred onto the fabric. The result? Crisp, colorful designs that adhere beautifully to all kinds of fabrics.
Screen printing is the old-school method. It involves pushing ink through a mesh screen, one color at a time. It’s best suited for very large orders with simple designs and minimal color.
So how do these three stack up?
Order Size & Cost: The Flexibility Factor
Screen printing is expensive—unless you’re ordering in bulk. That’s because each color in your design requires a separate screen to be burned and prepped. Setup fees can skyrocket if you’re just ordering 20 shirts.
On the flip side:
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DTG is perfect for small batches or one-offs—no setup fees, and you can print a single shirt without penalty.
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DTF also allows for small runs and is even better for full-color, detailed designs with sharp edges.
That’s why at Raine Apparel, we say no minimums on most orders. You shouldn’t have to order 200 shirts just to get started.
Print Quality & Feel
DTG delivers unmatched softness. The ink soaks into the fabric, meaning your design feels like part of the shirt, not a sticker sitting on top of it. Perfect for boutiques, small brands, or anyone who values retail-quality gear.
DTF creates vibrant, bold, high-contrast prints with a slightly raised finish. While it’s not as soft as DTG, it’s more durable and can pop even more on dark garments.
Screen printing, in contrast, tends to feel heavier and can crack or fade over time—especially on complex or high-detail designs.
In short:
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Go DTG for soft, artsy, fashion-forward looks
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Go DTF for bold, durable, all-purpose prints
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Screen printing? Not worth the tradeoffs
Color & Detail Capabilities
DTG and DTF can print any image you can imagine. Photographs, gradients, complex logos, fine lines—you name it.
Screen printing is limited by how many colors you can afford. Every additional color adds cost and complexity. Want a full-color gradient logo? That’s going to be expensive and probably not look as good as a digital print.
Modern brands deserve modern color options.
Material Compatibility
DTF prints beautifully on almost anything: cotton, polyester, blends, fleece, and even nylon. That makes it incredibly versatile.
DTG works best on cotton and cotton-rich fabrics (like Bella+Canvas or Original Favorites). It doesn’t work well on polyester or waterproof materials.
Screen printing struggles with synthetic materials and doesn’t offer consistent results across all fabric types—especially performance gear.
If you’re ordering for a mixed team or brand with a variety of products (t-shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, etc.), DTF is your best bet.
Sustainability & Waste
Let’s talk about the elephant in the print shop:
Screen printing creates waste. A lot of it. Between rinsing chemicals, wasted inks, test prints, and one-time-use screens, it’s one of the least sustainable methods out there.
At Raine Apparel, we’re committed to minimizing waste and working with water-based, eco-friendly inks whenever possible.
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DTG and DTF both generate far less waste and don’t require chemicals or harsh solvents.
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Our printing methods allow for print-on-demand, which means no excess inventory going to waste.
Better for you. Better for the planet.
Why We Don’t Offer Screen Printing
Short answer? Because you deserve better.
We could offer screen printing. But we’ve chosen not to—for very intentional reasons:
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The inconsistency of color and placement over long runs
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The steep setup fees that punish small orders
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The environmental cost of chemicals and wasted materials
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The quality tradeoffs that no longer make sense in a digital-first world
DTG and DTF allow us to offer high-end, low-minimum, lightning-fast apparel that we’re proud to put our name on.
Our clients are building brands, launching businesses, and elevating their teams—and they need apparel that keeps up.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Go with DTG if:
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You want ultra-soft, boutique-quality prints
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You’re ordering cotton tees or hoodies
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Your design includes gradients or artistic details
Go with DTF if:
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You need vibrant, bold prints on a variety of materials
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You want crisp edges and color that lasts
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You’re ordering staff uniforms, promotional pieces, or products to resell
Either way—you can’t go wrong with modern printing.
And if you’re not sure? We’ll help you decide. That’s the Raine Apparel difference.
Final Thoughts
Custom apparel shouldn’t feel complicated—or limited by outdated tech. At Raine Apparel & Promotions, we’ve invested in the latest print technology so you don’t have to compromise.
Whether you’re launching a new brand, outfitting your team, or fulfilling orders for your online store—we’ll help you choose the right print method to bring your vision to life.
Say goodbye to old-school limitations. Say hello to modern custom gear.
📩 Request a quote and let’s get your project started.
Raine Apparel & Promotions
Murfreesboro’s trusted print partner. Bold gear. Modern methods. No minimums on DTG/DTF orders.
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