Screen Printing Vs Heat Transfer: What You Should Know

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Designing your own t-shirt is a great way to send a personal message or make a statement, even if it is just to show some of your creativity. Determining how to get your design onto your shirt starts with understanding the pros and cons of screen printing vs. heat transfer, two of the more traditional options out there.

Although there are other options available, such as direct to garment or DTG printing, many people completing orders of shirts are really debating between just screen printing vs. heat transfer. However, if the company offers DTG printing, it is well worth considering as a top quality option.

Differences in Screen Printing vs. Heat Transfer

Screen printing includes the use of a few colors of ink, usually not more than two, which is a thicker, heavier ink. It is applied to the fabric of the shirt using a screen process, very similar to screen printing by hand, but completed by machine and in one pass rather than using multiple screens.

Screen printing requires a minimum order, typically of 25 or more shirts, because of the need to develop the screens. Typically, iron on or heat transfer can be done on any size of order since there is no set-up required.

With screen printing, as mentioned above, the color choices will be limited. With heat transfer, the only limitation is the quality of the printer being used to create the transfers.

Perhaps, the biggest difference between screen printing and heat transfer is the length of time the image will last. Screen printing typically lasts significantly longer than a transfer, which may often start to peel and flake after just a few spins through the washer and dryer.

Costs

Another factor to consider with screen printing vs. heat transfer is the cost. The screen printed t-shirt will be more costly per unit, but it will also last much longer. The heat transfer can be done quickly and at a very low cost, which may be a good option for t-shirts used for limited time promotions and single use types of events.

The colors will be brighter, more vibrant, and more distinct with screen printing than with an iron on transfer. In addition, and depending on the actual color of the logo, image or design, screen printing vs. heat transfer provides for more options in the color of the shirts selected.

For more information on the benefits of screen printing vs. heat transfer, visit our website at www.onehourtees.com. At One Hour Tees, we can provide screen printing for orders of 25 shirts or more.