← Production on Demand5 techniques · 1 decision

Marking techniques,
side-by-side.

DTG, DTF, screen, embroidery, sublimation. Each technique exists for a reason. Each fails outside that reason. This page tells you which to pick : and why we pick it for you when you launch.

DTGDTFScreenEmbroiderySub.
Spec table

All 5 techniques, side-by-side.

DTG : Direct-to-Garment
Min qty
1 unit
Cost
€4–8 / unit
Durability
30–50 washes
Feel
Soft, integrated
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK)
Turnaround
24–72h
DTF : Direct-to-Film
Min qty
1 unit
Cost
€2.5–6 / unit
Durability
40–60 washes
Feel
Slight relief, plastic touch
Colors
Unlimited (CMYK + white)
Turnaround
24–72h
Screen Print
Min qty
30 units / colorway
Cost
€1.5–4 / unit (vs setup €25/screen)
Durability
80+ washes
Feel
Plastisol pop or water-base soft
Colors
1–6 spot colors (Pantone)
Turnaround
depends on the run
Embroidery
Min qty
1 unit
Cost
€3–12 / unit (per 1000 stitches)
Durability
Lifetime
Feel
Tactile relief, premium
Colors
Up to 12 thread colors
Turnaround
48–72h
Sublimation
Min qty
1 unit (cut-and-sew also possible)
Cost
€8–18 / unit
Durability
Lifetime (holds through washing and wear)
Feel
Zero : it IS the fabric
Colors
Unlimited, full bleed
Turnaround
depends on the run (cut-and-sew)
Decision tree

Pick the right one in 5 seconds.

If
Photo / gradient artwork on a few units
Then
DTG
Why
Photographic depth, from one piece, soft hand on cotton.
If
100+ units, Pantone exact brand color, cotton
Then
Screen print
Why
Lowest unit cost at scale, 80+ washes, Pantone control.
If
Logo / crest on hoodie, polo, cap : any quantity
Then
Embroidery
Why
Tactile premium signal, lifetime durability, official merch feel.
If
Mixed-fabric collection (cotton tee + softshell + cap)
Then
DTF
Why
One technique works on every substrate, from one piece.
If
Sport jersey, cycling kit, all-over print, performance polyester
Then
Sublimation
Why
The visual becomes the fibre: it lasts as long as the garment.
DTG

DTG : Direct-to-Garment

Photographic print, full-color, from one piece.

Inkjet-style print directly on cotton fibers. Native fit for variable artwork (every unit can differ) and tiny runs. Loses contrast on synthetic blends.

Best for
  • · Photo prints
  • · Watercolor / gradients
  • · Drops <100 units
  • · Variable artwork per unit
Weak at
  • · Dark garments (white-base limits)
  • · Very fine vector type < 6pt
  • · Athleisure performance fabrics
DTG : Direct-to-Garment — example
DTF

DTF : Direct-to-Film

Heat-transfer film. Works on anything, including poly, nylon, hats.

Print + powder + heat-press. Pragmatic universal solution : ideal when one collection mixes fabrics (cotton tee + softshell + cap).

Best for
  • · Polyester / nylon (softshells, jerseys)
  • · Dark garments
  • · Multi-fabric collections
  • · Caps & non-flat surfaces
Weak at
  • · Premium hand-feel (transfer always sits on top)
  • · Long-term abrasion (collar / hem)
  • · Vintage faded look
DTF : Direct-to-Film — example
Screen

Screen Print

Pantone-matched ink pushed through a mesh. The classic.

The gold standard for volume. Screens take time to set up but ink-per-unit is the cheapest at scale and the wash durability is unmatched.

Best for
  • · Bulk drops (100+ units)
  • · Pantone exact-match brand colors
  • · Vintage / heritage feel
  • · Long-life merch (uniforms)
Weak at
  • · Sub-30 units (setup cost dominates)
  • · Photo / gradient artwork
  • · Per-unit variation
Screen Print — example
Embroidery

Embroidery

Polyester thread, satin stitch.

Thread stitched into the garment. The most premium, the most durable, the most expensive. The signal that says “this is official merch”.

Best for
  • · Crests, monograms, logos
  • · Caps, polos, hoodies
  • · Premium / luxury merch
  • · Heritage signal
Weak at
  • · Photographic art (pixel impossible)
  • · Very small detail (< 6mm)
  • · Thin tech fabrics
Embroidery — example
Sub.

Sublimation

Dye penetrates polyester fibers : print becomes the fabric.

The visual becomes one with the fibre : the ink goes into the material, endless washes. Native to technical sportswear. Reserved for synthetics.

Best for
  • · Sport jerseys (cycling, basketball, football)
  • · All-over print
  • · Performance polyester garments
  • · Long-life athletic merch
Weak at
  • · Cotton (incompatible)
  • · Light-on-dark (only works on white poly)
  • · Heritage cotton / tri-blend feel
Sublimation — example
Sprint included

We pick the right technique for every piece.

The engine remembers which technique goes on what. It matches each design to the one that maximises hand feel, durability and unit cost.

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