That’s kind of complicated to answer the question when someone asked me about the print costs of both DTF printers and screen printers, I have to say, none of them can be easily set up and keep them running constantly. Most screen printing shops are generating most of their revenue printing spot color and DTF also has its place, small quantity of full color prints onto small images on neck label, left chest, or sleeves. The versatile of DTF printing fullfill the nich market that the screen printing doesn’t always cover, but it’s important to remember that just because it’s a lower cost option doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for everyone. The right choice really depends on your specific needs like design complexity, the quality you are aiming for, and your target market.
Screen printing cost
The total expense will vary from shops and regions, but there are three things that reallt determine your total order price:
Costs of each sizes
When it comes to garment prices, keep in mind that some sizes like small, medium, large, and extra large, can sometimes cost twice as much or even more than the basic price of the item.
Can you make the design or not
If you could make the deisgn yourself that could be perfect, but if you can not, they will charg you a fee(approx 35 per hour) to make the design.
Screen printing Set up
If you have some woodworking skills, setting up for screen printing can be straightforward with a manual screen, squegee, inks, etc. While as for DTF printer, you need to invest more for the setup work, both time and money. If woodworking isn’t your strong suit, you have to pay for ＄20-50 for the setup and you will pay for sperate screen for ech color you add. But in most circumstances, single color is enough, that’s just because this is where the demand is.
DTF printing cost
Typically, DTF printing set up costs lower than screen printing since you don’t have to pay for the screens but it require higher expertise and patience to set up the DTF printer, llike that said, easy doesn’t exist when you dealing with digital equipment. Calculating the exact costs for DTF printing can be tricky, you level of expertise, the quality of the DTF printers and the printing supplies, comsumbles wastage, type of the printer heads and more, all of them play a roll. You need to think through all these factors to determine your final DTF printing costs.For reference, we found that our DTF printer could print a 12″ x 12″ design for about $0.11. If you want more detailed information, check out our post on the cost of printing a T-shirt with DTF printing.
Things not always the same
DTF printing can be a more efficiency and lower cost shirts printing method when it comes with small quantuty orders and higher customization needs. However, if you are looking at large orders with single color prints, screem printing usually ends up being cheaper as the quantity increase. For most e-commerce shops and print on demand business, DTF printers still their go to choice because they can handle a variety of printing needs.