Printing Planet UK
For custom T-shirt printing in London, the choice between DTG and screen printing comes down to three things: quantity, colour count, and design type.
DTG printing London at Printing Planet UK starts from 1 piece with no setup fee. Screen printing is available for larger runs where per-piece cost is the priority.
How DTG Printing Works
Direct to garment (DTG) printing sprays water-based ink directly into cotton fibres using a modified inkjet printhead. It works from 1 piece, handles unlimited colours, and reproduces photographic detail. No screen to make, no setup cost.
Ideal for: small orders, complex designs, photo prints, and orders with many size or colour variants.
How Screen Printing Works
Screen printing creates a separate stencil (screen) for each colour in the design. Ink is pushed through each screen one layer at a time. The result is a vibrant print with a slight raised texture.
Setup cost: £20 to £35 per colour per design. A four-colour design costs £80 to £140 in setup before a single garment is printed.
Ideal for: large orders (50 or more pieces), 1 to 4 solid spot colours, runs where per-piece cost matters more than flexibility.
Cost Comparison
| Scenario | DTG | Screen Print |
|---|---|---|
| 5 T-shirts, 4-colour design | £60 (£12 each) | £140+ setup plus £8 each. Uneconomical. |
| 50 T-shirts, 2-colour design | £375 (£7.50 each) | £40 setup plus £5 each = £290 total |
| 100 T-shirts, 1-colour design | £650 (£6.50 each) | £20 setup plus £4 each = £420 total |
DTG wins for small orders. Screen printing wins at scale with simple colour counts.
Quality Comparison
- DTG produces a soft, breathable print that feels like part of the garment. Photographic gradients reproduce accurately.
- Screen print produces bold, slightly raised solid colours. Pantone-matched spot colours are cleaner with screen print.
- For gradients or photographic artwork, DTG is the only practical option. Screen printing requires expensive halftone work to simulate gradients.
Durability Comparison
Screen printing is more durable than DTG, typically lasting 100 or more wash cycles at 30 degrees C. DTG prints last 30 to 50 washes when cared for correctly. For full wash care guidance, see our how long does DTG printing last guide.
For an alternative that bridges both methods on durability, consider DTF printing, which typically lasts 50 to 75 washes.
Which Should You Choose?
- Small order, complex design, cotton garment: DTG
- Large order, 1 to 4 spot colours, any fabric: Screen printing
- Need same-day or next-day: DTG (screen printing needs extra time for screen preparation)
- Polyester or mixed fabric: DTF
Need full-colour T-shirts printed in London? Visit our DTG T-shirt printing page or WhatsApp Printing Planet UK for a quote.