Apparel / Compare the ways Screen printing, embroidery, DTF or vinyl? The same design costs very different amounts depending on how it's made and how many you order. Setup is the reason: screens and stitch files are made once, so they cost a lot on one shirt and almost nothing on a hundred. Here is each way side by side, priced from our rates.
You don't have to choose: the studio prices your order every way and recommends one.
How they differ Trait Screen printing DTF print Vinyl Embroidery Looks Bright, solid ink Full color, satin finish Crisp, smooth film Raised, shiny thread Feels Soft to thick, by ink A thin, flexible layer A smooth layer on top Raised; the backing shows inside Colors Up to 8 screens a spot Any, photos too Up to 3, layered Up to 15 threads Best from 24 pieces 1 piece 1 piece 1 piece Setup A screen per color, once None None A stitch file, once, kept Lasts The life of the shirt Dozens of washes, cold Years, washed cold The life of the garment Fabrics Cotton best; polyester with a blocker Almost anything Cotton, polyester; stretch for athletic Polos, caps, fleece, twill
The same design, every way Price per shirt on an everyday cotton tee in a dark color, garment included. The lowest in each column is marked.
A 1-color front print Made with 1 shirt 12 shirts 24 shirts 48 shirts 144 shirts Screen printing $103.20 $17.42 $13.13 $10.24 (lowest) $7.50 (lowest) DTF print $26.60 (lowest) $14.30 (lowest) $12.80 (lowest) $11.65 $11.00 Vinyl $26.65 $14.30 (lowest) $13.15 $12.40 $11.70 Embroidery $204.50 $65.30 $53.85 $45.50 $33.75
A 3-color front print Made with 1 shirt 12 shirts 24 shirts 48 shirts 144 shirts Screen printing $157.20 $24.08 $17.22 $12.78 $8.40 (lowest) DTF print $26.60 (lowest) $14.30 (lowest) $12.80 (lowest) $11.65 (lowest) $11.00 Vinyl $34.95 $21.10 $19.65 $18.50 $17.50 Embroidery $204.50 $65.30 $53.85 $45.50 $33.75
A full-color photo on the front Made with 1 shirt 12 shirts 24 shirts 48 shirts 144 shirts Screen printing can't can't can't can't can't DTF print $26.60 (lowest) $14.30 (lowest) $12.80 (lowest) $11.65 (lowest) $11.00 (lowest) Vinyl can't can't can't can't can't Embroidery can't can't can't can't can't
A small left-chest logo, 3 colors Made with 1 shirt 12 shirts 24 shirts 48 shirts 144 shirts Screen printing $157.20 $24.08 $17.22 $12.78 $8.40 DTF print $25.00 (lowest) $10.30 (lowest) $9.20 (lowest) $8.45 (lowest) $8.00 (lowest) Vinyl $25.95 $13.70 $12.60 $11.90 $11.25 Embroidery $78.00 $21.05 $16.97 $14.44 $11.50
"Can't" means that way can't make that design: photos can't be screen printed, cut from vinyl or stitched. Embroidery is priced by stitches, so a big front design costs far more than a small chest logo.