By the Eyeconic Prints team, Phoenix, family-owned since 2008. Last updated: November 2, 2026
Screen printing or DTF: which is better for work shirts?
Quick answer: For work shirts that get washed and worn hard, screen printing is the better pick at 12 or more shirts. We screen print up to six ink colors. The minimum is 12 shirts for one or two colors and 24 shirts for three or more colors. It costs less per shirt as the order grows and it holds up in the wash. For full-color art, photos, gradients, and runs under 12, full-color digital print is the better pick. We print it three ways (DTF, digital vinyl, and DTG) and match the method to your art. Plenty of crews use both screen printing and digital.
How do you choose the print style for 40 shirts for your crew? You don’t have to choose. Our staff will help guide you based on your needs and our expertise.
Most owners don’t know the difference. That’s fine. Just tell us what you and your crew do.
What screen printing is
Screen printing pushes ink through a stencil, one color at a time, straight onto the shirt. Each ink color needs its own screen, so there is a setup for every color. Once the screens are made, printing the 40th shirt costs about the same as printing the 4th.
That is why the price per shirt drops as the order gets bigger. At Eyeconic Prints, we screen print up to six colors. Standard screen printing starts at 12 shirts per design for one or two colors. Designs with three or more colors have a 24-shirt minimum. The per-shirt price keeps falling as you add more.
What full-color digital print is
Digital print covers the methods that print your whole design in full color at once, with no screens and no per-color setup. That is why one shirt works, a photo works, and a gradient works. We have three ways to do it:
- DTF (direct-to-film): the design is printed onto a clear film, then pressed onto the shirt with heat. It handles detailed, elaborate art and stays thin and flexible.
- Digital vinyl: the design is printed onto vinyl, cut to shape, and heat-sealed onto the shirt. It works well for solid designs without a lot of small cutouts.
- DTG (direct-to-garment): the ink is printed straight into the fabric, a lot like a printer on paper. It is our newest machine. Ask us about it.
You don’t have to pick one. Send the art, and we will match it to the method that fits.
Want to know how they feel and which one to ask for? Here is our DTF vs DTG vs digital vinyl guide.
Side by side
| Screen printing | Full-color digital print | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum order | 12 per design (24 for 3+ colors) | One shirt |
| Colors | Up to six | Full color |
| Best for | Bigger runs, bold logos | Small runs, full color, photos |
| Setup per color | Yes, one screen per color | None |
| Price as quantity grows | Drops per shirt | Stays closer to flat |
| Reorders | Same screens, same look | Same file, same look |
Cost: it comes down to how many shirts
- Under 12 shirts: Full-color digital print. Screen printing is not set up for tiny runs.
- 12 shirts and up, one or two colors: Screen printing. The setup cost spreads out and the price per shirt keeps dropping.
- 24 shirts and up, three to six colors: Screen printing.
- Full color, photos, or gradients: Full-color digital print, at any count.
- 100 shirts: Screen printing wins for a bold logo. Our 100-shirt program starts at $4.99 each for a one-color, one-side print on light shirts. See how that works.
Durability: what holds up on a job site
Screen printing ink soaks into the fabric. It holds up in the wash and does not crack or peel, which is why it is the usual choice for work uniforms that get washed every week.
Digital prints hold up well with normal care. DTF and digital vinyl sit on the surface of the shirt, so large solid areas can feel heavier than screen printed ink. If a crew is going to be stretching, bending, and sweating in July heat, the lighter feel of a screen print is easier to wear.
Which one for which job
Pick screen printing when:
- You are outfitting a crew of 12 or more (24 or more for three to six colors)
- The logo is up to six colors
- You will reorder the same design every season
- The shirts take a beating
Pick full-color digital print when:
- You need a handful of shirts, or one sample
- The art is full color, with photos, shading, or gradients
- You want to test a design before ordering a big run
- You are printing a mix of designs in small amounts
- Every shirt needs a different name or number, like crew names on the back or team jerseys
- It is a photo or memorial shirt for a family reunion, a birthday, or a celebration of life
- It is a small event: a retirement party, a group trip, a grand opening, or a 10-person office
- You are testing new merch for a small brand, band, or food truck before committing to a big run
- You need a small job fast. DTF is printed in-house, usually in 2 to 5 business days, depending on the print schedule, blanks in stock, and print-ready art
- The shirts are polyester or a performance blend
The mistake we see most
Owners with a simple one-color logo order a digital print for 80 shirts because it sounded modern. They pay more per shirt than they needed to.
The other way around happens too: a full-color design with a gradient gets quoted as a screen print, and the shirt count is too low to make sense.
Tell us the shirt count and the logo, and we will point you to the method that fits. If your art is better suited to another method, we will say so before you spend money on the wrong setup.
Ask us before you order
Send the logo and the number of shirts you need. We will tell you which method fits and what it costs. Looking for the full lineup? See our custom work shirts in Phoenix.
Call 602-688-4023. We answer.
FAQ
Is DTF better than screen printing?
Neither wins every time. DTF and our other digital methods are better for small runs, photos, and full-color art because there are no screens to set up. Screen printing is better for bigger orders of bold logos, since the price per shirt drops as the quantity grows and the ink holds up in the wash. The right pick depends on your shirt count and your art.
What is the difference between DTF, digital vinyl, and DTG?
All three print full color with no screens. DTF handles detailed, elaborate art. Digital vinyl works well for solid designs without a lot of small cutouts. DTG prints the ink straight into the fabric. You don’t need to choose: send your art and we will match it to the right one.
How many shirts do I need for screen printing?
Standard screen printing at Eyeconic Prints starts at 12 shirts per design, and we print up to six ink colors. Jobs with three or more ink colors start at 24 shirts. The price per shirt drops as the quantity goes up, and the lowest standard rate starts at 100 shirts. Under 12 shirts, full-color digital print is usually the better fit.
Can I use a digital print for a full crew order?
Yes. Digital print works at any quantity, so a full crew is no problem. For crew shirts that get washed and worn hard, screen printing is the better pick for a logo with up to six colors, and it usually costs less per shirt. For full-color art like photos or gradients, digital print is the cleaner choice. Send your logo and your count and we will compare the options.
How long does it take?
Screen printing is 7 to 10 business days. DTF shirts printed in-house usually take 2 to 5 business days, depending on the print schedule and blanks in stock. Rush may be available for small runs, so call and ask. A run of 100 shirts is not a same-day job. When we say Friday, it’s Friday.